Easter Menu

Easter is the reason I will live eternally forever in Heaven. That my sinful soul will be forgiven as long as I ask for forgiveness. The time where my Savior show his un-ending love for me.

Over the past couple years we have had some amazing events occur during Easter

Easter 2010- Andrew and I got engaged

Easter 2012- Andrew and I were re-baptised

Now we are looking at Easter 2013. We are going to an All Campus Choir Concert tonight and then Church on Sunday.

If you are in the Triangle and looking for somewhere to spend Easter I would encourage you to check out services at The Summit Church. JD always gives an amazing message and I know his Easter message will not disappoint

After service we are hosting dinner at our house with friends.

Here is a look at our menu.

Menu:

Honey Ham /Asparagus/ Paula Dean Crockpot Mac and Cheese/ Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes

What are your Easter Plans?

Are you cooking a big dinner?

Tips to Life as a Sucessful Newlywed

So if you didn't check out my post yesterday from Charlotte's blog here it is. If you don't follow her blog you should!

. I have been married for 2 years this May and it has flown by! I can't believe I won't be a newlywed anymore!

1. Communication-

 Talk about the big issues. Anytime you are hesitant about something talk about it. This person has already married you, they love you and they want to know how you feel. I constantly tell Andrew, You make me feel ___ when you say __. This can prevent most arguments because most arguments start because one person says something and the other hears something else. We are human, its in our nature to hear things the way we want.

2. Don't talk about each other

This is probably the hardest one. Everyone needs their venting time but this man isn't your boyfriend or some guy you just met. He is your husband. You have to respect him and airing all your dirty laundry to your girlfriends just doesn't cut it at this stage in your relationship. I find that in this situation talking to a family member will help you set your head straight before your talk to your husband.

3. Keep dating

It is so easy to get caught up with the ins and outs of daily life that you know you need some quality one on one time with your husband but its so easy to just go out to eat and call it a date. There are so many other things out there besides going to dinner. You eat dinner every night so spice those dates up. Check out a local winery, the zoo, museums, bowling, putt putt! The options are endless. You can even find some that cost you next to nothing!!

4. Be each others biggest cheerleader

Be each others biggest fan. I tell Andrew how proud of him I am every day because I mean how good does it make you feel when someone says you are doing an awesome job! Whether its for something amazing he has done in his research, becoming another step closer to finishing his PhD, taking another step to grow in his faith, or just doing the dishes. I always say thank you and let him know he is appreciated.

5. Apologize

Apologize, Apologize, Apologize. Everyone argues, no one is perfect. However whether you are right, wrong, or can't settle the argument you still apologize. It's hard to apologize if you believe your not wrong but the key is to understand you may not agree 100% on everything and thats okay. Apologize for arguing because it always results in feeling hurt on both ends and then agree to disagree.

In the end marriage is amazing! I love being with my best friend everyday but with living with another person there are always things to learn. Ask me in two more years and I am sure I can double my list!

What are some tips you have figured out in your marriage?

Guest Posting at Laws in the Lowcountry

While Charlotte is off celebrating her wonderful marriage with an amazing honeymoon and I am taking over her blog today!

Go check out my post on Tips to Life as a Successful Newlywed!

If you don't follow her blog you should. She is simply the sweetest!

Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Pancakes are a staple at our house.

If its a Saturday morning 9 times out of 10 you will catch us eating pancakes.

So with that being said we have to switch it up a little.

This week we made apple cinnamon pancakes and they were amazing!

Ingredients:

1 cup gluten free Bisquick

1 egg

1 cup milk

2 tbsp applesauce

1/2 tbsp cinnamon

1 apple diced.

Directions:

Prepare you pancake mix as the direction indicate. 

Which for us was mix all the ingredients together except we sub the oil for applesauce and added cinnamon and diced apple.

Heat up your griddle and drop 1/4 cup of pancake mix and cook until done.

This made 8 delicious pancakes. We had some leftover so it looks like I will have another delicious breakfast on Monday :)

Summer Feet

This weather has me in a rut!

One day its 70 and now for the next two weeks we aren't going to get about 60.

It sure doesn't look like to me that the first day of Spring happened last week!

Well while I am itching for warmer weather my feet are praying for air!

Here are a few of my favorite summer wedges!

I live in wedges and Jacks during the summer time!

Can't wait get a pedicure and purchase a new pair for the summer!

What are some wedges you are swooning over?

 To get the link to these wedges check out my polyvore board here

Humbled

Something happened and it was like a slap in the face, hello Brianna what are you doing.

Let me back story it a little bit.

(This post is a little text heave and not picture friendly)

I have a terminating teaching contract. It's cause I am a first year teacher and lateral entry because I didn't complete the student teaching portion of my program.

So I knew a time would come when I would get my letter saying my job wasn't guaranteed until after they placed all tenured teachers. Still at that point my job my not be available at my school I may have to apply at other schools, meet the principals, see if we fit and then transfer. I knew it was coming.

Well that time came. It came Wednesday Morning after I made my way back to school after that terrible flu. I took my letter, my principal gave me the most encouraging words that she had a position for me even though they had to let go of a few teachers, so as long as they didn't have to transfer tenure teachers to our school I would be fine.

Remember that anxiety I have? Well it hit full force. I am the main provider right now, what would I do without a paycheck. Should I get a second job now to save in case I lost my job, I need to start checking the postings every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to see the new jobs and apply. I can't wait around, I had to figure out our life.

I came home talked  freaked out to Andrew where he told me to relax and I shouldn't panic for the next few months until I knew. Everything would be fine. I said okay but thought no it wouldn't be fine everything is falling apart and I am not comfortable.

I woke up Thursday morning and read my blogs and the last one I read was this one from Lauren. I read it and for the 100'th time though look how strong she is and went to make my lunch. Well some where between making my sandwich and my coffee God decided to smack me in the face and had me really think about and reflect what I read in Lauren's post. 

This is what I have been praying so hard for. To soften my heart and give it over to God. Allow him to be in total control because when he is I am less anxious. I am taken care of. I am happier. And here I was trying to do it on my own

So I stopped. Prayed and felt extremely humbled. This was a test and at this point I failed. But being Christian isn't about how many times you fail, its about getting back up and asking for forgiveness. So I have put my lists aside and began praying and asking God what his list is. I know that he has a plan and it is better and more perfect that any plan I could ever come up with.

Our God is fighting for us always

Our God is fighting for us all

Our God is fighting for us always

We are not alone

We are not alone

Things I wished I wouldn't have turned down when planning my wedding

Let me start this off by saying my wedding was amazing. I married my best friend and we have a beautiful marriage. 

Or as Ben Affleck would say " The best kind of work"

 When I got married I wasn't blogging, and pinterest wasn't around ( I can't imagine all the other projects I would have added if it had been) but I wanted to recap 5 things that I had as an option that I turned down and wished I didn't.

 First Look

We got married almost 2 years ago and this wasn't something that was all the rage like it is now. I feel like it hit right as we got married and I was to nervous about breaking tradition. However I wish we would have done this. It would have allowed us to get more photos as a bridal party and as a couple that I feel like we lacked. Also I would love to remember Andrew's reaction when he first saw me but I was so nervous I can't remember.

Smaller Guest List

We had over 200 people at our wedding. I remember at a certain point I told my bridesmaids to not let anyone besides Andrew, family or bridal party near me. I was so tired of talking and I just wanted to enjoy the reception. I would say a quarter of the people there I couldn't put a name to their face

 Eat before entering the reception

Our venue coordinator offered this to us. We could eat in a separate room during the first half of the cocktail hour then mingle the second half and enter the reception. I ate two bites before I was pulled in so many different directions and then forgot about eating. Thank goodness I have an amazing husband who as soon as we got to the hotel ordered me a pizza :)

Hired a videographer 

I didn't do this because I thought pictures would be enough. However I was so nervous during the ceremony I don't remember much! I wish I video taped it also for family who couldn't make it and it would be amazing to watch in the future if we have daughters when they get married!

So did you do any of these things in your wedding?
What were some things you wish you wouldn't have turned down?

Surviving sickness...

Growing up being sick was easy.

You skip school, mom or dad stay home with you and nurse you back to health.

Then you get married and move into your own house and being sick isn't that easy.

Whose going to take care of you?

Who is going to cover for you at work? Sub Plans are the worst and when you have to leave 2 hours into work because your throwing up doesn't not make it easy for your school.

Maybe I should embrace the Sheldon Cooper Model.

I hate being sick. I am the worst sick person, I am whiny and needy. I wish I could be one of those people who came home and slept but no that's just not me, I want constant attention. I get it from my dad, hes the same way.

Luckily my mom taught me the best remedy for when you are sick

Its called the BRAT Diet.

And luckily it works wonders. It was originally for kids when they had upset stomachs but what is the flu but days of upset stomachs.

So basically its a list of food to eat that will help you get better and will stay down after you eat it!

So that has been my diet for the last two days.

What do you do when your sick?

Shrimp Tacos :)

So Andrew and I are huge foodies and Mexican is our all time favorite!

So we wanted seafood and Mexican and here our shrimp tacos were born.

This has been my favorite marinade yet!

Shrimp Marinade

1/2 pound shrimp

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon cumin

1 tablespoon EVOO

juice of 1/2 lime

Pineapple Salsa

8 ounce can of crushed pineapple

1 jalapeno

1/4 of a red onion diced

juice of one lime

handful of chopped cilantro

Combine all your ingredients for your pineapple salsa and refrigerate until ready to use. This will help blend flavors. Combine all you ingredients for your marinade and add in shrimp. Marinade for about 30 minutes then cook. Warm up your tortillas and layer shrimp then salsa. At our house we served it with a side of homemade cilantro lime rice :)

Yumm Yumm Mexican at home :)

Out with the old.....

I don't have many creative juices flowing in my brain today cause it has been a week.

Monday- I was out sick

Tuesday- I was exhausted had 2 parent conferences, an IEP meeting and gate duty for the track meet

Wednesday- Another parent meeting and a math training for quarter 4 till 5:30

Thursday- I took my 120 6th graders on a math bowling field trip

** they had a blast but I am exhausted**

Friday- Grades and comments are due for report cards by 4pm

WAHHHHHHHH!!!!

 Needless to say I will be heading down south to Charlotte to see the fam!

Can't wait to snuggle with this little girl

But on a positive note. Check out my new blog design! Shannon from Shannon Page Designs did an amazing job. It was part of my birthday present. Thanks hubs :)

Marriage and Money

After your married the hardest thing 

(besides learning to live with a boy for the rest of your life) 

is learning to share your money.

You go your whole life worrying about yourself and now its not just you anymore.

The three most common ways I have seen married couples deal with money are

1. What's Mine is yours

(you share everything)

2. My Money and Your Money

(you share nothing)

3. Mine, Yours and Ours

(Share only some and keep some for yourself)

Andrew and I fall under category number one. 

I am going to tell you why but I want to preface it by saying that I don't think if you don't do it our way you are wrong. I am just saying this is what falls in lines with what our values and the ideals we want to set for our family

Andrew's family does the my money, your money (#2) and my parents do a what's mine is yours approach (#1) so when we got married we had to figure out what we wanted.

When we said I do I promised God that I would become one with my husband. We live our lives daily to glorify God and make him happy so in return all our blessings come from him. They are given to us to bless our family so we count our money as one.  I don't believe one of us should get more because one person currently makes more than the other. There will be multiple times in our lives where we switch roles of who makes more. 

We set our budget on what we want to save each month and that automatically goes into savings. Then we take out living expenses and then budget food and gas. Then whatever is leftover is our free money for the month. 

Because Andrew is a grad student and I am a teacher we live on a budget. We take our free money and while we do spend a little on ourselves ( and when I mean little I mean coffee with friends or a quick breakfast on the way to work) we spend the majority on things we can do together. 

Yes this means I have had to cut back my shopping to only when I really need things or I have to clean out my closet in order to splurge on some new outfits but in the long run I am going to remember the things we did together with our money and not the hot new fashion piece this season. Now don't get me wrong I am not the only one who cuts back. Andrew doesn't buy quite as many video games and gadgets as he used to either. We are grateful for what we have and while sometimes I swoon over new things, I have become more appreciative of what I have been blessed with and not feeling like I always want more.

In the end this is what works for us. We make decisions on our money together. If there is something one of us really wants that is pricey we talk about it and make the decision together. Then we save a little for a few months and we make it work. It helps us not only save and get things we really want but also helps so much with our communication as a couple.

So what about you? How do you deal with money?

What you don't know Wednesday!

I saw this last week on Christin's blog and I figured since I have some new followers I would give it a try!

1. I am the oldest at 24 but I also have an 18 year old sister named Cassandra and a 7 month old baby sister named Ava!

2. I have suffered from depression( You can read about it here). I had to take a semester off during college to get control of my life. But I have grown so much and hope to help other girls one day.

3. I am deathly terrified of being pregnant but I want to be a mom so bad. When the time is right of course.

4. I have the most sensitive skin. I get cysts on my face and I will have them for a month. Nothing can make them go away and I have to use special face wash on my face and back to help prevent them but it isn't 100% effective.

5.I love being a teacher, however I always wonder what else I could have done. People think teaching is so easy and sometimes make me feel like my job isn't as important or as hard as theirs.

6. I am such a morning person. By 9pm even on weekends I am a zombie.

7. I am a health freak. My parents made me eat super healthy growing up because my dad has a kidney disease and I appreciate it so much. My husband and I eat gluten and preservative free. I can tell my body loves it and that is all that matters.

8. I bite my nails and pick my cuticles. To prevent it I have to keep my nails done at all times. I got the DIY Gel Manicure Set and it has been a lifesaver!

9. I love to sing, its my favorite way to worship the Lord. 

10. I am a theatre junkie. If my life could be a musical I would be so happy.

I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me. If you do this please let me know. I would love to read it!

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Tasty Tuesday- Buffalo Chicken Quinoa

Welcome to another Tasty Tuesday.

Since going gluten free I have missed some of my staples.

This week I decided to do a twist on mac and cheese and used quinoa.

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 chicken breast ( shredded or diced)
2 Tablespoons almond flour
1-1/2 cups 2% milk, divided
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons Frank's Red Hot
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup (goat cheese), crumbled

Directions:

Preheat broiler. Cook quinoa according to package directions and set aside. 

Whisk together flour and 1/2 cup milk in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Pour in remaining milk, and green onions. Switch to a spatula and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then cook for one minute while boiling.

Remove the pan from the heat then add in buffalo sauce and cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted then add in cooked quinoa and chicken, and stir to combine.

Pour into a non-stick sprayed casserole dish and top with goat cheese. Broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and sauce is bubbly.

This was really good. Andrew liked it but said I couldn't call it mac and cheese cause mac and cheese had noodles. His name for it was buffalo chicken and cheese with rice. Anyways we'll make it again at this house :)

Weekend Recap

After my first full week back at work this weekend was much needed.

I wasn't the best at taking pictures but we spent a great weekend relaxing and spending time with friends. Spring weather decided to grace us with its presence and I hope it stays for good!

Here is a little look into our weekend

Friday:

Andrew picked up the dogs from the groomers and headed to the house. Cooper had the biggest transformation. We also found out he has an infection on his ears so this is part of the reason he was cut so short. We have 2 weeks of meds and then will see if its gone. Poor dog, everything bad happens to him. Then we enjoyed our night with some Asian inspired Thai Lettuce Wraps and Pork and Ginger Wontons. I also found my new favorite cider. Thanks Trader Joes for your awesomeness!

Saturday:

Here is where my picture taking started slacking.

Andrew and I ran some errands and did it through the enjoyment of our new sun roof

We also spent the day with our friends James and Marianne. We went and so the new movie Oz the Great and Powerful and then came home to make some Beef and Churizo hamburgers

Sunday:

Andrew and I enjoyed another relaxing Sunday. We went to church and then headed with some friends to a local elementary school to let the dogs run wild. At small group it was bring your favorite chips and we did our own version of minute to win it game night! Finally we settled down at home to some Shrimp Tacos and some cuddling on the couch.

Here's to the weekend! Can't wait to see it again!

Sorry I'm Not Sorry

So this has been a week.

I don't know how many times I have caught myself saying...

I don't care, I am doing it anyways, I'm not a loser but, Is it lame that...

Sorry I'm not Sorry ......

... but I went to bed at 8:20 last night. I know what your thinking, its okay sometimes I start getting ready at like 8ish but I get side track and Im not in bed till after 9. NOPE! I was teeth brushed, faced washed and PJ's on, under the covers, alarm set at 8:20. I fell asleep moments later. 

... I am super excited about my salad Tupperware container. If you don't follow me on instagram the picture is below. But I have already washed and reused it everyday and I am so excited to go back to Home Goods this weekend to by more!

... That I haven't painted my nails in a week. I am a polish guru and ever since I got my own DIY gel set I change my color every week! This week, my nails are still naked :(

...That I pulled down our boxes of summer clothes. I am putting away our winter clothes this weekend and mother nature should take that as a hint. I need my jacks like yesterday!

...that I have literally worn the same outfit everyday this week. Oh it's Monday, Chinos, cardigan and a scarf. Oh it's Tuesday- Chino's, cardigan and a necklace, Oh its Wednesday- Chinos, cardigan and a scarf. But you can't guess what I am wearing today???

... that I am exhausted. Hints the going to bed at 8:20. I want to stay home this weekend and do nothing but watch movies eat pizza and cuddle on the couch with Andrew and the pups. 

there are so many more but I will just leave you with that. This first week tracking back in has been one of the toughest and tomorrow at 2:45 can't come fast enough!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday- Gluten Free

Since making the switch to Gluten Free I have found some many things that I love.

I have received so many emails from yall about some of the things that I have used so here they are!

I am loving the way I am feeling. Before going Gluten Free I always felt sick and had an upset stomach  after eating. I had so many digestive issues. Now I feel so normal. I can't believe I have lived the last 24 years not feeling like this. I just always thought I ate bad food!

I am loving Tate's Gluten Free Cookies! They are thin and crispy but still kinda soft and chewy! Such a perfect combination!

I am loving all the carbs I have replaced with vegetables. Spaghetti Squash for Spaghetti, Bell Peppers or Lettuce in replace of buns, almond breaded zucchini and squash in replace of fries.. Yummm

I am loving almond and oat flour. Almond flour has been so useful in my normal cooking and the oat flour has been replacing most of my baking. I can't tell a different with the Almond flour but the oat flour give the baked goods a gooey texture that I love!

I am loving pinterest for all my gluten free recipes I am finding on pinterest!

What are you loving? 

Are there any gluten free products I am missing??

Tasty Tuesday- Gluten Free Banana Pancakes

So you probably remember me talking about how Andrew and I were thinking of making a change in our diet. No we aren't dieting we are talking a long term lifestyle change. We considered Paleo, but its so hard because we don't eat red meat I couldn't cut out the beans. I also can't give up yogurt and cheese--- I love them so much. So we decided to go gluten free! I will say Andrew was skeptical but he is loving all the new recipes!

I will say this has been one of my favorite!!

Ingredients:

3 bananas mashed

2 eggs

2 tablespoon coconut oil ( you can use butter otherwise)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon agave nectar 

1 cup oat flour 

( if you can't find it you can just food process one cup of gluten free oats- that's what I did)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

**Walnuts, banana and syrup for toppings**

Directions:
Stir together mashed bananas, coconut oil, lemon juice and nectar.
Beat in eggs.
Add oat flour, baking soda and cinnamon then mixed until moistened.
Heat griddle or pan to medium heat.
Place 1/4 cup of batter and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side.
Serve :)

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Weekends.. Where do they go??

Weekends, really where do you disappear too?

The weekdays drag on and the weekends just fly by.

I am over it, My goal for 2018 is to become President and make 3 day weekends mandatory!

Anyways over my rant, Here is what a weekend with the Tuckers looks like

Friday:

I had to go take care of some stuff at school for track in but then I spent the afternoon with my friend Dakota. We got lunch and then went to an amazing little Candy shop that had ridiculous amazing truffles. When I got home Andrew had finally finished his Written Preliminary Exam and it was out to go celebrate his accomplishment with our friends. So proud that he is now officially a PhD Candidate!

Saturday:

I spent the day with my friend Marianne. We went shopping and got pedicures while our husbands played video games. Gah they are children in adult bodies! However before I left him I made some amazing gluten free banana pancakes! Check out our link up tomorrow for tasty Tuesday for the recipe!

Sunday:

Andrew and I went to church and small group but besides that we really just lounged around the house.  However I did try a very popular pinterest recipe for Philly Cheese steak Stuffed Bell Pepper and they were so good. Definitely a hit and perfect for our new gluten free diet. I also made some amazing mini egg quiches that I can eat for breakfast all week. 

With Monday over I am pooped. I went back to work after 3 weeks off and my kids were in rare form. They are officially acting like 7th graders. I love them but they are going to ware me out quick with this new energy. Here's to Friday, you can't come soon enough!

Husband and Wife Q&A

So I have seen this all over the blog world and I knew I wanted to do it with Andrew. We have been together for about 7 years but we are so different.  I knew it would be funny to compare our answers. I put my commentary in brackets after the questions I found funny!

1. How long have you been married?

A: Almost 2 Years (close enough right?)

B: 1 year 9 months

2. Where was your first date?

A:Gym

B: Cookout and the gym, our first official date was Firebirds and to see Superman. ( You can see my post about that bad date here)

3. Where was your first kiss?

A: Den at his parents house watching Pirates of Caribeen 3 ( such the romantic. I was in high school so its okay)

B: At Andrew's Parents House

4. Who first said, "I love you"?

A: Andrew.. (he laughed cause he knew I was waiting for him. I am stubborn)

B: Andrew, I waited a long time haha

5. What were your wedding colors?

A: Pink and white

B: Ivory and blush

6. What is her most commonly used phrase?

A: In all honesty ( I do say this alot too)

B: Are you serious??

7.Who is her celebrity crush?

A: Channing Tatum (This is true as well, Andrew doesn't think Bachelor Sean is a Celeb)

B: Varies, right now Bachelor Sean

8. If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get?

A: Carolina Pale Ale, Margarita ( Margs are my drink of chioce when I am not in the mood for wine)

B: Carolina Pale Ale, Pinto Grigio

9. What is the best meal she has ever cooked you?

A:Enchiladas ( you can check out the recipie here)

B: Enchiladas

10. What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you?

A: Shrimp Flatbread

B:Ummm I made a bad Shrimp Flatbread, it was dry and needed sauce

11. What is the most-played song on her iPod?

A: Taylor Swift..  ( Umm no, he didn't register that I don't even use an IPod)

B:I don't really listen to an Ipod cause I don't have one, more a Pandora Girl on my droid.

12. What would she say is your most annoying habit?

A: I ask him to constantly will you do me a favor? ( haha I do this all the time, once I'm comfortable I am not getting up)

B:Leaving my jackets and shoes everywhere

13. What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?

A: Mess with my phone

B: Set my alarm, charge my phone

14. What would you say is your favorite thing about her?

A: I'm sweet

B: Not Sure, Maybe my curly hair but I never wear it that way.

15. What's her go-to drink at Starbucks?

A: Skinny Vanilla Latte

B: Skinny vanilla latte

16. What's her blog's name?

A: Adventures of the Southern Housewife (Umm im not a housewife, I work! I told him it was wrong and he was like ohh thats why I have such a hard time finding your blog when I google it!)

B: Adventures of The Southern Wife