Monday, April 25, 2011

Lemon Whippersnappers

Benjamin and I stayed in Dallas this Easter.  In the four years of our marriage, this was our first holiday celebration to not head home to Houston.  On Friday, Ben and Sam came over for dinner.  We were in charge of a vegetable and dessert.  Since I knew I was going to be cleaning, I wanted something that would be quick and tasty.  After looking online for some Easter related desserts that looked adorable, but took forever, I started looking at the blogs in my reader to see if anything popped out.  And I found a winner!

Ingredients
1 box of lemon cake mix
1 tub of cool whip
1 egg
powdered sugar galore

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350.
Grease cookie sheets.
Combine cake mix, egg and cool whip into a large bowl.  Mix well.  The mixture will become fluffy and sticky in texture.  
Pour a generous amount of powered sugar into a bowl or onto a plate.
Spoon out globs of the batter at a time and roll each glob into a ball on the powered sugar.  Place onto cookie sheet.
Bake cookies from 10-15 minutes.  I baked mine for 12.
Take off of cookie sheet and leave to cool.
Eat plain or with ice cream and chocolate syrup!
Thanks Katie for posting this recipe!  The cookies are right amount of lemon taste and where a huge hit!
For a printable version, click here.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Project 52: Week 16

Before we start of recapping last week, don't forget to check out this month's give-a-way!

This weekend six of our fabulous friends came with us to the Dallas Derby Devils' season opener.  That's right, we were spectators at a roller derby event!  Shout outs to the Echols, Skinners and Blairs for kickin' our awesometown adventure up a notch!  We love sharing life with you!

Until next week,

Saturday, April 23, 2011

lunch bunch

There are certain people that you know that are in your life for a purpose.  It's no accident.  It's divine appointments.

That's how I feel about the group of guys that are Benjamin's class mates, study partners and dear friends.  The past four years of dental school would have been very different without this group.  Starting first year this group befriended each other and found an empty room where they could study and eat lunch together.  The Married Mens Group, or Lunch Bunch as they are known have been such a support for each other.  From my perspective, these guys have helped my husband keep his sanity and enjoy his time at BCD.

They are all married to fabulous women.
They are all unique in what they bring to the group.
They are awesometown.
They are an answer to prayer.

The graduating class of 2011 took their group picture last week.  This picture will adorn the halls of Baylor College of Dentistry for decades to come.  This group all decided to stand out in a subtle way...by wearing white dress shirts, black ties and black glasses.  Let's just say the secretary of Student Affairs was not amused.

Nathaniel, Matt, Benjamin, Brian, Jeremy, Brian, Todd, Stephen
Keeping BCD nerdy since 2007.
My uberfavorite!
This will be largely printed and hung in our office.

WREB...

Either three weeks have flown by incredible fast, or the graders for WREB are so on top of things that they surpassed their own expectations in getting the results completed...

I'm gonna go with the second option.

We are happy, nay, over the moon thrilled to report that Benjamin 
PASSED 
his licensing exam!!
Glory to God and everyone rejoices!!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Pre-Friday Give-a-way!

Today is Thursday.  
The day that comes after Wednesday and the day that is right before Friday.  
There is just something about Thursdays that always seemed kinda sad.  It's the one day that keeps you from exclaiming TGIF and really getting stoked about the weekend.  

I prefer to call Thursdays, Pre-Friday.
It just sounds better.
It puts people in a good mood. 
It makes them smile.

So, because it's Pre-Friday and because you need something to smile about...
Because I think everyone should read a Karen Kingsbury series...

I am giving away the entire Firstborn Series by Karen Kingsbury!
That's right, not one or two...but all 5 books in the series!

Here's how you can enter... 
You will have three chances to win, so be sure to enter 3 separate comments

1. Follow my blog and leave a comment saying that you do!
You have to be a follower of our blog through Google Friend Connect or "like" us on facebook by clicking here.  You must be a follower of one of those two places in order to win!  Tell me where you follow!
2. Leave a comment telling me if you where you are in the sibling line up.  Are you first born? Only child?  One of 12?
3. Tell others about this give-a-way either on your facebook or through your blog.
Once you have told others, let me know where by leaving a comment!


The give-a-way will end Friday, April 29th and the winner will be announced on Saturday, April 30th.

Please note: Karen Kingsbury does not know who I am or that I love her books.  My mom however does and she supplied the books for this give-a-way.  Thanks Mom!  

Monday, April 18, 2011

We survived!


A huge thank you goes out to all of you who supported Benjamin and I through last week!  We could not have made it through without you.

The WREB exam went very well this weekend.  Benjamin tried his best to keep calm by thinking that this was just like any other day.  Bennett was fantastic in his role as assistant - keeping Benjamin on track and asking him questions throughout the day as checks for each process.  All of his patients were on time and willingly endured the longer than normal process because of the many check points that have to take place during the exam.

Andrew, Syed, and Thomas: I cannot thank you enough for giving up your weekend to be a part of our future.

Now, we wait 3 weeks for the results of the exam.

The last week of The Web wrapped up on Friday and the whole week was peppered with lunches and after work get togethers with the crew as well as a party put together by my fabulous call center lovelies.

To those of you who were big parts of my every day at The Web: Thank you for everything from my whole heart!

To all of you who lifted us up in prayers, thank you so much!  They are what got us through the last week.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Project 52: Week 15

This week was full of "see you soon" festivities as I will call them.

Counter clockwise: Sweet loves at the Dotson's.  Charles, C.Money, Dara, Andrew and James keeping it real.  Terry and Lo.Rain.  THE Dara Davis and I with excited faces. Jeff has endured me and adores me, I promise.  Stephen and James know how to spice up a picture.  Conner, James, Rosie and I.  My adorable hubby and I in front of the fantastic sign created by Katie!  Dearest Andrew, my sidekick.

Until next week,

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Project 52: Week 14

Saturday was a lazy day for us.  We spent some time outside enjoying the fantastic weather we had this weekend.  Including some time in the kiddie pool!

Until next week,

And the winner is....

Thank you to everyone who entered into the donut maker give-a-way!!

Thanks to the help of Random Number Generator, our winner is number 11...


In response to what donut was her favorite, Katy says, "Oh goodness, I don't know if I can choose a favorite donut.  I'm pregnant after all.  Give me any donut and this preggers is happy!!  But if I have to choose I love cinnamon cake donuts."

Congratulations Katy!  Shoot me an email at joyfullysoaring@gmail.com to claim your cute little maker!

I am quite excited about the next give-a-way...for all you book worms, stay tuned!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Next Week = Crazy Week

Word on the street is that things around the Cozad household can get crazy from time to time.
The next week for us is going to be a bit crazy.

For me, this is the last week of employment at The Web.  Only 5 days left.  For the past three weeks I have been training my replacement and preparing myself for this day.  I have started cleaning off my desk and bringing things home, even though some would argue that it still has the scozy flair.  My past few weeks have been spent spending time with the folks who have been a part of my every day for the past three years.  The next week for me will consist of wrapping up loose ends and maximizing time with the awesome folks who I am privileged to call friends.

For Benjamin, this week is the last full week of seeing patients at Baylor College of Dentistry.  He has worked crazy hard to fulfill all of his requirements for graduation before his licensing exam takes place this weekend.  WREB, the licensing exam accepted by the state of Texas, starts on Friday afternoon and lasts all weekend.  God has been faithful in answering prayers for exam patients!  After Sunday, the only thing left for him to do is to graduate and wait for his test results!

Other updates on life - we do not yet have a place to live in Houston, and will not start looking until May.  Once unemployment sets in, I will be doing a massive overhaul on the house preparing it to be put on the market at the start of May.  Our next months are going to be full with Salem's graduation, Benjamin's graduation, weddings, moving and Benjamin's program starting on June 27th.

If I stop and think about all that has to get done between now and June 27th, I start to get a little panicked.
And then I take a deep breath.
I remember that I am not in control.
God is.
And thank goodness!

Bring on next week!!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Book Countdown...

For those of you who decided to read "x" amount of books this year, how's it coming for ya?  I'd love to hear what you are reading now.

Here's where I'm at...

Completed so far - 11 books

  • The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
  • The First Born Series
  • Incendiary
  • From High Heels to Tractor Wheels
  • The Hunger Games Trilogy

Still to Go

  • Class by Jane Beaton
  • The Sunrise Series 
  • Jane Eyre
  • Narnia Series
  • Radical by David Platt
  • The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
  • Alas, Babylon
  • A Wrinkle in Time
  • World Without End
  • Pillars of the Earth
The last four are books that have been recommended to me in the past week.  I have loved having conversations with folks about what they are reading, what books are their favorites and taking any suggestions that they have.

The book I am currently reading is titled Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.   I'll let you know how it is once I finish!  So far, so good!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Project 52: Week 13

From March to April, this week was full of exciting adventures...
Product training with The Client - Whoopie Pies were delicious!  Elephants from the circus.  Cake ball from the boys on my birthday.  Saturday soccer with the ABF.  Lulu and I celebrating 28 years!

Until next week,

Book Review: Hunger Games Trilogy


Some time last year I started hearing about the Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.  I had started toying with my 24 books in 2011 commitment, so I put the books on my Christmas list.  Thanks to Sam and Ben, when I was ready to read the series, I could - non stop.

And I did.
The trilogy, complete with Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mocking Jay, took me less than a week to plow through.

Seriously.
I have classified myself as suffering from ARS.
Addicted Reader Syndrome.
Once I start a book that captures my imagination, I'm committed.
Anyone else out there like this?

I highly recommend these books if you are looking for something that is a little different, that is an easy, addictive read and that will entertain you for hours.  The story of Katniss and her journey through the Hunger Games and the events that follow is one that will capture young and old readers alike.

And apparently, they are making a movie out of the first book.
So be ahead of the curve and read the books!  You won't regret it!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Taken

Just doing some Saturday morning web-window shopping and came across this simply adorable necklace from Kate Spade.
What a cute gift for a new bride on her wedding day or gents, for your wife on an anniversary!
Or heck, how about for a just because I love ya, gift?

Happy Saturday!
Image via katespade.com

Friday, April 1, 2011

Feeling Great at 28!

The past two weeks have been sprinkled with delight celebrations of my 28th birthday.  It started when Mom was here visiting for Salem's bridal shower. We spent the weekend shopping and enjoying each others company.  Thanks Mom!

For about a year now, I have been talking about how I wanted to celebrate my 28th birthday with a karaoke party.
One thing you should know, dear reader, is that I adore music.
And I love singing.
I sing in the shower, loudly.
I make up songs and dance around the house.
I am that person you see beside you at the red light singing her heart out at the top of her lungs with gusto.
I have no qualms about busting into song mid-sentance...even in meetings or at the office.

In saying all of that, my dear husband, loving me with every crazy song that I sing, threw me a karaoke party!  Complete with cookie cake, sweet friends and 5 hours of singing.

Your eyes did not fail you or glaze over.  That's right, 5 hours... 5 hours of belting some of the best tunes of all time out into the open!  Everyone who came out sang and that was one of the best gifts!

 The Skinners getting seriously focused on giving their audience a good performance!
 The Echols love to sing... especially Danny!
 Thanks for the cookie cake Love!
 CMoney and the tambourine!  
 Smiles from the Blairs and scozy.
 My husband loves and understands me.  He is more than I could ask for!




Belting out some ABBA!
Thank you my fabulous husband for the best birthday party of my adult life!  
More photos can be viewed on facebook!

The celebrations continued at work on Monday with a deliciously bright cake from my fabulous call center team and a fun surprise from The Client!


Thanks to my co-workers, I was shown much love at work on Thursday with a homemade lunch from my call center lovelies, desk decorations, cupcakes, cards, candy and a Starbuck's cake pop!
Note: my desk looks like it is in chaos most of the time anyway....why not add a few streamers?!   

Once home, Benjamin took me out for a delicious meal and then I spent the evening chilling on the couch with him and Lubaby.  The perfect ending to a fantastic week of celebrations!

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed in making turning 28 above and beyond great!

Under the Big Top!

Last weekend we were on our way to meet our friends, the Blairs, for dinner when we passed a massive red tent in a field between two exits in Allen.  I caught a glimpse of a sign that said "Carson & Barnes Circus" which caused me to squeal with delight!  I immediately started googling the circus to find information on the show times.  The next available times were on Sunday.
And they had elephants.
Plans were made to go.

What up Carson & Barnes?!  Congrats on 75 years!
Tent that caught my eye....
Sam and Ben along for the adventure!  
Ready to go in and claim our seats!

After standing in the cold for the previous show to end, we went into the Big Top and claimed front row seats right by the entrance where all of the acts enter into the center ring.  Once we got as comfy as one can on bleachers, the vendors had started walking around selling everything from sodas to light up swards.  
Hubs bought me popcorn.  Clearly the boys were not as excited as I was....
The show started and lasted longer than two hours.
It was full of high flying tricks...
Daring feats of balance...
Weird, uncomfortable twists and turns...
and elephants!
Even though it was freezing cold, the entire experience of sitting ring side at a traveling circus was magical! 

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