Pinterest Junkie.

Lately, I have been rather consumed with a little site called Pinterest (www.pinterest.com)! The ideas are endless and lately I have had some incredible successful attempts while trying out new recipes I have found on this insanely informative site. This is also the place where I find a lot of ideas for teaching, fashion, photography, travel and so many other intriguing things.

All of the recipes I have found seem incredibly fattening... naturally... but there have been many ingredients I have substituted for healthier options. B has gained 30lbs since the wedding... I'd say those healthier substitues are quite necessary ;), for his sanity and mine!

Well, here is the proof...

Sausage & Spinach stuffed Shells

After I took them out of the oven, I poured a jar of Mushroom Spaghetti Sauce on top and served it hot. Yummmmyy! Goes perfect with a fresh garden salad and a glass of Merlot.

Recipe Modification: Use half of the required amount of Ricotta Cheese and add Large Curd Low fat Cottage Cheese for the other half.

Cheescake Stuffed Strawberries

Recipe Modification: Use 1/3 of the fat cream cheese for the Cheesecake Filling. Also, use only three tbsp. of Powdered Sugar (the strawberries add enough sweetness, you won't even miss the fourth tbsp.)

Creamy White Chili... shoot did not take a picture but booooy was it a hit. The hubs had three servings... thank God I used Cream of Chicken Soup instead of Heavy Whipping Cream!!

For recipes see the following links:
Stuffed Shells of Amazingness- http://foodgawker.com/popular/favorites/page/3/
Bites of Cheesecake Love- http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/08/cheesecake-stuffed-strawberries.html
Hearty Healthiness- http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Creamy-White-Chili

One the Menu for Monday (tonight is date night, mmhmm)...  is this delectable creation! Check it out!
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/mac-and-cheese-roasted-chicken-and-goat-cheese/

NOM, NOM, NOM!!!

xoxo,
lauren

Yes, the little ones too.

God is alive and what comfort it is to know that "nothing can separate us from His love".

[See the book of Romans for more of where that came from]

We are honored to have a relationship with Him, one where when we talk He actually hears us, listens and responds! This week more than five little prayers were answered. He cares about the little ones too? Absolutely! He is so detailed in our lives and I know so much of the time I forget that. I forget to acknowledge it.. oh but when I do, He responds! He longs for that trusting constant relationship and when we do our part in it... he answers giving us what we have asked, or he changes our heart/attitude towards the things/people we pray about. 

One little prayer, that turned out to be major was answered! My hubby received a call back from a company that could be a great opportunity for his career. I was driving on my lunch break, saw a company car for the same company he applied to and immediately responded in prayer interceding for favor and a call back specifically! Now Brandon is actually on a phone interview as I write this. I am not saying it's me and give me the praise... I am simply stating that God really cares about us, He will show us if we trust him enough to ask!

The Lady who DOES IT ALL.

Her Daughter, Delaney

Her Husband, Scott

This lady right here is known to those close to her as, super woman. She is a mother of three beautiful children, a wife to an incredible man, a faithful daughter and an inspiring sister to two. Ever since I was little I can remember Jenelle being one of the most lovely and STRONG people I knew. My little mind watched, listened, felt and learned as she would speak. Her and I have different moms and share the same, precious Dad. I cherished the months she lived with us and the time I was able to spend with her as I was growing up. Learning from her choices-- both good and bad-- is part of what has shaped me to be who I am. To watch her face life, overcome and become incredibly successful is the most motivating examples I could have ever imagined having in my life. She is a gift, and I am so thankful that I can call her my sister. As I have grown older, this woman has gained one of the highest amounts of respect I could give to anyone and she continues to blow me away with her response to lives circumstances. 

As my matron of honor, she came out (before all of her family) to be by my side, during the week before my wedding... and she remained there until the night of my wedding when I went to be with my husband. Her support and love she gave me during the most important week of my life was the absolute best present I could have received... and words will NEVER express how much it meant! Her advice, her perspective and her strength continues to speak to me as I have entered into the most beautifully complicated season of life, called marriage. Her ability to approach life with determination and ease is so refreshing to be around. 

When I asked my brother Bobby, to describe her in four words his response was "funny, confident motivated and blunt." And that could not get closer to the truth. When she enters a room her confidence is contagious to everyone in it. She walks with intention, never fails to make us laugh until we cry and never holds back if she has something to say! A trait she has acquired coming from our Dad's seed!

One of my favorite memories, was from a recent trip to visit this family of five in LeMoore, California. It was the day after Thanksgiving so Brandon, Bobby and I packed up the car and drove 5 hours north. Let me tell you, it is SO fun being stuck in a car with the husband and the brother... especially when their favorite thing to is laugh hysterically at their ego-altering blows at me! 

We finally arrived and were greeted with six happy faces, the sixth being Mama Donna (Nell's Mom). Having a full house, time with just the siblings is hard to get. So, as soon as the opportunity arose the three of us (Jenelle, Bobby and myself) volunteered to go on a pizza run. Actually, the main reason we ordered out is because I needed to go back and get the jacket I saw earlier while we were shopping. So glad we went back to get it! On our way to the pizza shop the jokes flowed (again the target being me... I guess this is what comes with being the youngest) and they continued until we arrived back at the Mason residence. I do not remember all that was said, but I remember laughing with two of my favorites and that is a forever treasure that I will cherish in my heart from that weekend (... besides watching my hubby kill it in "Just Dance").

My sister is a lover and a fighter, opinionated, passionate, analytical, intelligent, focused, faithful, tenacious and most of all the best and most beautiful sister I could have asked for! I love you Jenelle Marie Mason!

Looking for a New Place to Pitch Our Tent.

As some of you may know B and I have been contemplating where we should buckle down and start a family. The search has mainly been in Colorado, where B's Dad's side of the family lives. It's a fast growing city called Commerce City, which is located right outside of Denver.

Let me paint a picture for you... Lots of new families, new developments and tons of parks for our future dogs and children to run around in. Tall trees, four seasons and the communities are surrounded by the rocky mountains... are you sold yet?

Well, as we have been thinking, talking, planning and analyzing we have narrowed our reasons for moving down to three...

1. Housing is MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE!! (see for yourself... http://www.cohomefinder.com/)

How appealing does a 4 bed, 3 bath house sound with a basement for under $200,000?! If this doesn't make you want to move now, I don't know what will.

2. We are not too keen on raising our children in the So Cal lifestyle (no offense to those who are). I mean, we just want our children to grow up on some land, to be able to explore and fall in love with nature.

3. We both thrive in adventure, and though it may be hard to leave our close family and friends... we are up for this new experience.

So that is where we are currently... still on the lookout! Wish us luck!

xoxo,

lauren

Hello Blog World!

Well, this is FUN, new and exciting! Writing has been my passion for years and I am proud to say I have taken the plunge to blog about our life as The Trumbos.

Bear with me as the construction of Camp Trumbo emerges into the beautiful thing that it will be.

As I share lessons and ideas for teaching; as I pray and learn more about the love and affection of Jesus and as I ponder life and choose to love the people in it, no matter how hard it is...  I hope you will comment, share and fall in love all over again with the life you have been given!

Let's do thissss....