It is not over until the Preacher Man Says AMEN

Tonight Pete and I endured a pretty intense spin class at our 24-hour fitness gym. I have gone to spin classes over the past few years here and there and I always enjoy it. This was Pete's first time. He finally agreed to go as he promised me he would back in December. I checked to see who the instructor was before we went and it was a guy I've had before. WELL a substitute instructor was there when we arrived.

By first appearance, the instructor looked about mid-to-late 60's and was in great shape. He welcomed us with enthusiasm and instantly got us set up on our bikes. He introduced himself as Peter and started the class promptly; turning up the music and instructing us to pedal to the beat. It was evident that Peter was passionate about spinning.

About half-way through the class as sweat dripped down our faces, we realized Peter was not only passionate about spinning, but he lived and breathed this activity. I have never in my life met an instructor who is so motivated by what he is teaching. He challenged us and constantly encouraged us. He yelled out things like, "Pain and suffering will make you stronger. How do you think Lance Armstrong got to the finish line?" "Ignore the voices in your head telling you to stop. Shut up and Pedal...push yourself." "Don't be a quitter, don't quit on yourself!" My personal favorite was-"It is not over until the Preacher Man Says Amen!" I noticed smiles across the faces of many in the class. This man was giving his all into this spin class.

So we pedaled and we gave it our all too. We turned up the resistance full boar, we did hills, and even an intense team drill. At one point, Peter got off his bike and stood in front of us yelling, "Faster, harder, PUSH YOURSELF!" I have to admit it pumped me up. I felt like cheering, hollaring, and busting into jumping jacks. Pete enjoyed it too and found spinning to be much more challenging and invigorating than he originally imagined.

After the class, we thanked Peter and found out this Rhode Island native didn't start spinning until 60 and has turned it into his hobby so he won't "get old". He plans to go on an outdoor ride in 15 degree weather this saturday because it will be sunny, clear, and beautiful. He thinks Oregon is the greatest place to live in the world. So cheers to Peter the spinning instructor! We wanted to give him a shout out tonight because man this guy is motivated and he inspired us! He is living out his passion and lifting others up along the way.

AMEN!

Crock Pot Lasagna

Okay so by the title of this post you are probably thinking to yourself...yuck...is that even possible?! But let me explain! I love crock pot cooking, I always have. When life is busy and you want to come home to a dinner simmering and your house smelling fabulous..then the crock pot is really your answer. I have tried all sorts of things in the crock pot-taco soup, chili, dips, meatballs, roast, curry chicken, and now LASAGNA. My favorite crock pot cookbook is Fix-It-And-Forget-It (you can find it at Target or Michael's). When I was paging through it, I turned up my nose when I saw lasagna, but I decided to give it a shot and man it was easy, wholesome, and tasty. I was brave enough to take it to dinner at our friend's house and all four of us loved it! There is room to be flexible with the meat, cheese, and sauce you use. You could also turn it in to a veggie lasagna if your not a meat lover.

So check out the recipe below and try it. . .if you dare. ;)

INGREDIENTS

-1 lb. ground beef, browned (could be substituted for sausage, ground turkey, or veggies)

-4-5 cups spaghetti sauce, depending on how firm or juice you want the finished lasagna

-24 oz-container cottage cheese or ricotta cheese

-1 egg

-8-10 lasagna noodles, uncooked

-2-3 cups mozzarella cheese

1. Combine ground beef and sauce.

2. Combine egg and cottage cheese.

3. Layer of the ground beef mixture, the dry noodles, and the cottage cheese mixture, and the mozz. cheese in the slow cooker. Repeat layers.

4. Cover. Cook on high 4-5 hours or low 6-8 hours.

Little Dolphin Girl

Baby Kisses
Story Time

The past two months, I have been try to make my way to San Diego to meet my new niece Elle Grey Weg. It took me awhile to meet her.. I missed her birth by one day in December and had to delay my trip in January to February. As the time grew closer to meet her, I was counting the hours till I could hold her in my arms. Well I spent about 5 days with her this past week and each day was so rewarding. She is truly precious!

My brother Zach and his wife Laura nicknamed her dolphin girl because of all the cute little coos and caws she makes. She also smiles and laughs. She is beautiful, smart, and has an incredibly sweet spirit about her. I cannot brag enough!! :) It was so fun holding her for hours on end, picking out her outfits, and taking her on walks around the neighborhood!

I heard being an aunt was quite something, but I now know personally know why it is so special. It was amazing to see a little baby that looks so much like my brother and sister-n-law. I felt an unbelievable bond with her the second I laid eyes on her and kissed her full little cheeks. She is going to be spoiled by her Auntie Maggie for life and Uncle Pete is dying to meet her!

Everyone has a little love to share . . .

MY VALENTINE: ELLE GREY WEG

This post is for you Ashley :) . . .

With Valentine's Day nearly one week away, I thought I would share my thoughts on the day of love. My family and close friends know that this a day I have always had a special love for. It all started in kindergarten when I got my first Valentine. Yes. . .I know there are those who dread this day...the singing cards and teddy bears, endless conversation hearts, the array of flowers, chocolates, and cheesy valentine cards. All though this holiday can be silly, down right corny, and cliche, I believe it is a holiday that everyone can enjoy if you look at it in a different light.

Valentine's Day is not for only for those love-struck couples who can't keep their eyes of each other. It is a day for those who are in a relationship, those who are single, and even those who have no interest in romance. Many people can benefit from Valentine's Day. How you may ask? Well, it is a day to tell someone, anyone that you love them, that you appreciate them, or even that your life is more special with them in it. It is a day for a random act of kindness, to do something spontaneous, to throw a party, or even just smile at the lady who cut you off in line. Go for it...surprise your dad with his favorite coffee drink, put a note on your best friend's car, or bring cupcakes to your kid's classroom.

Don't let Valentine's Day pass you by with a chip on your shoulder. Don't laugh at the men running in to the grocery store last minute to buy roses AND Don't forget to tell someone that you have not told in awhile that you love them. It is simple day, yet a day to be expressive, crazy, and fun!

HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY from my heart to yours!

TACO PIE

My grandma is here visiting me and we are making her famous taco pie recipe to bring into Pete's work. His co-workers have been requesting it for weeks after Pete took it in as leftovers. Here is the recipe below! Enjoy. It is delicious if you are a taco lover :)!

Ingredients:

1 package Crescent Rolls

1 lb. ground beef

1 cup grated cheese

2 cups crushed Nachos

1 package Taco mix

1 16 oz. Sour cream

Instructions:

-Brown meat and drain. Add Taco mix.

-Spread out Crescent rolls in pie tin.

-Sprinkle with crushed Nachos.

-Top with meat mixture.

-Add sour cream, spread evenly.

-Sprinkle on cheese and top with remaining crushed chips.

-Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

-Serve over shredded lettuce with salsa on the side.

-YUMMY!

Momma Says There Will Be Days Like This

Every mother has words of wisdom for her children...a phrase that she claims as her own and never forgets to put it out there when her children need to hear it most. I was recently talking about this with some friends and we all knew right away the "phrases" that our mom's were famous for.

As long as I can remember my mom has told me, "If it is questionable, Don't do it!" The first time she said this to me is when I came down to go to school in the 6th grade after crimping my own hair. I think it was her polite way of telling me there was no way she would let me endure the embarrassment of going to school looking that way. :)

Then I remember the phrase coming up again in high school when I was trying to make a tough decision about sports...then again when she we said our goodbyes at college in San Diego my freshman year...then again when I went abroad to Australia...and more recently before Pete and I left for our trip to Haiti. She has said it when I am trying to word an email, when I am trying to pick the right outfit for an important event, and even when I'm deciding what to make for dinner.

Little does my mom know that for all the times she has said, "If it's questionable, Don't do it!". . .I have probably heard her saying it to me in my head a 100 times more. These simple words have quite the impact. My mom's famous phrase has helped me make numerous decisions, it has saved me from embarrassment and poor choices, and most of all it has left me smiling because I know she'd be proud that I was following her special phrase.

So thank-you Momma...for sharing your wisdom with me and for helping prepare me for life. I cannot wait to tell my daughter or son (one day), "IF IT'S QUESTIONABLE, DON'T DO IT!"

The Ten Most Laughable Moments of 2010

Well 2010 has come to an end. What a year it was...thru good and bad we made it and we feel ready for the joy and excitement of 2011. It was one year ago we started this blog...thank-you to all of our followers for sticking with us these last 12 months as we write and share moor about this and that and the bits and pieces of our lives :)! As a tribute to 2010...we wanted to share our ten most laughable moments...man there was some good times! Thank-you for adding to our smiles!

10.) Family road trip! My brother, his wife, and my parents came to visit in July. We did some little road trips around the area while they were here to hood river, wine country, and the Oregon coast. We spent a lot of time in the car and played a weird but funny game about who could use the most cliches in conversation. Well it ended up being a running joke the whole trip and by the time they left, between the six of us, we had used every cliche in the book. We chuckle every time we hear a cliche now.

9.) Sinking boat! Pete had a boy's weekend with some of his buds up in Washington. They took Pete's dad's (Scott) boat out and got pulled over by the sheriff. They were suppose to have 9 things on the boat and they did not have a single one of them. Then on the way back to the dock the boat almost sunk in the middle of Lake Goodwin because someone forgot to screw rivots in the bottom. There was lots of laughing happening on this boat ride!

8.) Where's my Iphone? I dropped my brand new iphone in a brand new toilet as it slipped out of my back pocket. We were helping my brother Zach and his wife Laura move into their new house. Luckily, I was the first person to use the guest bathroom toilet. Although, I wasn't laughing when it happened, I am laughing now.

7.) Pete's Big Fall! After a night of guitar hero with the neighbors...Pete slipped and fell down our entire set of stairs. Luckily, he only got a big bruise on his leg from the fall, but I could not help but have a good laugh as I listened to him fall all the way down hooting and hollaring.

6.) Rainy Camping trips! We had two big camping trips this past year. The first one was over memorial day with our friends Jeff and Kelly. Just as we were about to head to bed..the rains came down and it rained all night...leaving four wet campers to pack up wet stuff in the morning. Our second camping trip was at the end of July when we had four of our dear friends visiting. It was a lovely weekend, but just as we were going to bed for the night a thunder storm came out of no where. It poured for most of the night. We have to laugh thinking about these experiences because even though we picked the worst weather weekends to camp in the rain it added adventure and humor to our trips.

5.) Modern Family! This TV show has left us laughing to the point of tears. Many of our friends had suggested it and we finally gave it a try. We are sure glad we did as we can not get enough of it. This is one laugh we will continue into the new year.

4.) Ziplining in Kauai! While vacationing in Kauai, we decided to try ziplining. It is an activity neither of us have experienced before. It was pretty crazy and fun. I was the only girl in a group of 12 guys. We had to cross a high draw string bridge to get to one of the lines. I decided to go first to get it over with and ended up holding up the entire group for over 20 minutes as I panicked on the bridge. Pete talked me through it from behind and I finally made it over. We rolled with laughter thinking about it later that night, but we don't think our group members thought it was quite as funny.

3.) Nellie's hideous haircut! We took Nellie in to have her regular trim at the groomer's. When Pete picked her up he could not tell a difference. We brought her back and asked for them to trim her just a touch more. When we picked her up the second time it was like we were picking up a new pet. Nellie is that you? Poor thing was shaved and looked like a short haired dog. The funniest part was she pranced around like she looked even better than before.

2.) Three Butts on one Bike! While in San Diego for Thanksgiving, Pete, my mom, and I took the ferry to Coronado Island for the day and rented one of those cart pedal bikes called a surrey bike. Well it was really made for two people, but the three of us squeezed in there and attempted to pedal around the island. It was a pretty funny sight I am sure. BUT we look back at it and smile.

1.) Mouse in the car! This for sure wins the number one spot. We actually had a mouse living in our car for two days. We do not know how it got it there, but it was scary and hilarious at the same time. We had to ride with it for one hour home from a concert where, I (maggie), screamed almost the whole way. Pete finally caught it in a trap by it's leg and got it out of the car as the mouse proceeded to run away in the trap down our street...Pete chasing after it. Who knows what our neighbors thought. It was a crazy experience...one we will not forget.

I believe laughter is what truly brightens up the world. We need to savor the moments of laughter that we have in our lives because there will be plenty of moments where we won't feel like laughing at all. So come on Laugh a Little :)! We hope laughter fills your new year full!

"I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew looking back on my laughter would make me cry."

-Cat Stevens