RECIPE: let's make funnel cake.

Last night Josh decided he wanted to make funnel cakes, because he'd been wanting them for days. So we did just that.
When making them, we found that Josh likes his to be really thin and crispy, while I like mine to be thick and fluffier.
They are so easy + quick to make! And you really can't mess them up.

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2 cups of oil
2 eggs
1 + 1/3 cups of milk
4 tbsp. of sugar
2 + 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 tsp. of salt
2 tsp. of baking powder
powdered sugar (as much as desired!)

1. Heat your oil in a deep skillet.

2. Beat together the eggs + milk. In a separate bowl, mix together your dry ingredients. Slowly add the dry mixture to the eggs + milk, beating as you go. Continue until smooth.

3. Pour the mix into a big ziploc bag and seal. Cut a small hole in one of the bottom corners and squeeze batter into the oil, working from the center of the skillet outwards. Make a fun swirly little pattern with your batter. (Remember that the amount of batter used and how you use it will determine the taste and such of your funnel cake!)

4. Cook for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.

5. Add powdered sugar and enjoy.

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Happy Anniversary to Us! Two Years.

Today I have been married to my best friend in all the world for two years. (And that means we've been together for just over three!) These past two years have been the best ever. We've had some pretty amazing things happen (Hey, Tatum!). I love this guy and am so excited to spend the rest of my life with him. 

I wonder where we'll be in two more years! : )

Wedding Invite Designed By: Matt Boyd.
Photography By: Emma Mae Marion.

Donut Date.

A couple of days ago we were on our way to Target, when we decided to swing by Krispy Kreme for some donut holes. So, basically our donut date consisted of us driving through the KK drive-thru, eating the donuts, and talking on our way to Target, while Tatum was third-wheelin' it in the backseat.

So, okay, maybe it wasn't an actual date...but can we just call it that, for my sake? And considering Josh really hates Target (don't even get me started), I mean, this was kind of romantic. Right? 

...Just go with it.

i choose you.

{typical josh. also, weirdest picture ever for this post.}

•I choose you – above all others.
•I choose you – above myself.
•I choose you – above my children.***
•I choose you – above my career.
•I choose you – regardless of income.
•I choose you – in spite of your weirdness.
•I choose you – in spite of my quirkiness.
•I choose you – so I will forgive when you’re wrong.
•I choose you – so I will repent when I’m wrong.
•I choose you – so I will give you the benefit of the doubt.
•I choose you – even when I think you’re stupid.
•I choose you – even when you treat me like I’m stupid.
•I choose you – when we’re in debt.
•I choose you – when we have more than we ever dreamed possible.
•I choose you – when you succeed.
•I choose you – when you fail.
•I choose you – when you’re nice.
•I choose you – when you’re not so nice.
•I choose you – when you’re beautiful.
•I choose you – when you’re messy.
•I choose you – when you’re healthy.
•I choose you – when you’re hurting.
•I choose you – when we agree.
•I choose you – when we disagree.
•I choose you – when all’s right with the world.
•I choose you – when everything falls apart.
•I choose you – when life is busy and we don’t get to see each other.
•I choose you – in those quiet moments that it’s just the two of us.
•I choose you – your dreams, desires, & hopes.
•I choose you – your hurts, habits & hang ups.
•I choose you – your family.
•I choose you – above my own rights or opinions. This is mutual submission out of mutual respect.
•In light of every other possibility - I choose you.


A friend shared that with me the other day, and I immediately emailed it to Josh.
It's so, so spot on and reading it made me so happy. Everyday with Josh, I make the choice to love him, and him me. It doesn't just happen...Love isn't some magical, sunshine and roses type of deal.
Because love isn't just a feeling inside of you.
It's an action.
And man, sometimes...Love. Is. Work. It just is.
But from my experience, it's some of the most fulfilling work that there is.
And every single day I am so happy that we have made the choice, put forth the effort, and really loved each other.

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On a less serious note: I cannot stop thinking about Pokemon now. "Joshua! I. CHOOSE. YOUUUUU." Yep.

With me, you get some serious, but also a lot of silly.
It's called balance, guys.

***JUST FYI, before I get any comments on it, I take this to mean that I make time for Josh + it's not always about Tatum, that I consider his opinion first, that I respect his decision making, and so on.

valentine's date.

We had a really fun Valentine's Day this year. It was a low-key family event and I'm 100% happy with that. We went to dinner at a pizza by the slice place and then just walked around, browsing Urban Outfitters. There were supposed to be cupcakes involved, but the preferred shop was closed, so those came tomorrow! : )

Obviously I wore red for the occasion. I mean, duh. I also wore the baby--the best part of my outfit! Seriously, though...Before this trip I'd never used a carrier, because I didn't have a reason to. I love it now. (Good thing, considering I carry her for miles and up giant hills almost daily.)

And for anyone who may wonder: My carrier is from Hotslings.

Tatum went all out and wore a few different shades of red + pink. (Ignore the Pooh paci., plz.)

 

My gift! (The rings in the middle.) I was so super excited! I've wanted these rings for months. I was really surprised Josh got them, because he only saw them once and had no link to them. He said he typed "branch ring" in on the Etsy search bar. That's it. These were an option and he thought they looked close. Phew. : ) Haha.

Oh. And I got Josh a couple pairs of Toms. And we'll just say those dolls I bought were Tatum's gift. : )

What'd you do for Val Day?