Great Super Bowl Appetizer Recipe

Guacamole has become one of my new favorite dips recently. Jonathan's uncle made some while we were in Florida over Christmas and I just discovered that our favorite Mexican restaurant has the best guacamole ever! For some reason I have taken a big liking to this fun dip and wanted to share a recipe I just saw on Oprah that looks so easy and delicious! I like my guacamole very creamy, so this recipe looked like a great one for me to try. Depending on what we do on Sunday night for the big game, I might have to make this and see how it turns out.

4 ripe avocados

1/4 cup white onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped

2 limes , juiced

2 tsp. kosher salt

1 jalapeno , finely chopped

Directions:

Split the avocados along their sides and divide in half. Remove the pits.

In a ceramic or glass bowl, smash the avocados with a potato masher until smooth.

Add the next 5 ingredients, and continue to mash until fluffy.

Place one of the pits in the middle of the guacamole to help keep it from turning dark. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for about an hour before serving.

Serve with warm tortilla chips.

The Best Flat Iron to Ever Touch Your Hair!

I wanted to do a post for Kelly's Korner Show us Your Life, Beauty Tips and Favorite Products.

About a year ago my Chi straightener decided to quite working on me and one side of the iron didn't work. I can't go more than a day without my straightener so I had to splurge and buy another one that very day. I had only had it for a little over a year and I had always sworn by Chi. I never would use anything else, thinking it was THE Best! When I had to break down and spend over $100 on another one I wanted to make sure that it wasn't going to happen again and my mom told me about a flat iron that her hair dresser uses in her salon. I went out on a limb and decided to trust a lady that I personally don't even really like (the hair dresser, not my mom), because she has curly, thick hair and uses this iron on all her customers. I may not like the lady, but boy does she know hair. This flat iron is the best thing that has happened to my hair in so long! It's a Bio Ionic Itools Ceramic flat iron. I can't go back to a Chi now. Anytime we stay with my parents, my sister, and J's parents and I have use one of their Chi's instead of my Itools because i'm trying to learn to be a lighter packer, it just doesn't work the same. You set the temperature on it and it goes as high as 400 degrees. And with my hair, I def need the extra heat to smooth out all my kinks. Anyway, the point of this post is for all of those who still swear by their Chi's...next time you have to buy a new flat iron, take my curly, thick haired advice and try out, the same a little over $100 price, and get yourself an Bio Ionic Itools!!!

Quarter of a Century!

Jonathan turned 25 last Monday and we celebrated by inviting out families to town for the weekend! On Saturday the girls went shopping and played around town while some of the boys played golf. That night we cooked Beaufort Stew and had fun just hanging out! Jonathan did most of the cooking and it was more than delicious. I love you babe and hope you had a wonderful birthday! Here's to hopefully your best year yet!

Thanks to our families for taking time out of their busy schedules to come hang out with us!

J's favorite guest at his bday party: little D!

Do you see the trend the she eats ALOT!!!

Everyone helping with the cooking and eating appetizers in the kitchen

Jingle all the way!

Last Friday Mama, Court, and Durham came to our house to help me decorate for Christmas. This has turned into one of our traditions each year. It wouldn't be near as fun to decorate the house without mama and court's company. We had fun putting ornaments on the tree as we drank hot chocolate. I now love coming home to the pretty lights and walking in the door to see a lot of red and green! Thanks Mama and Court for helping me put everything in it's perfect place. And a big thanks to little D for keeping us laughing and keeping us distracted! I love you all!!!
Pictures don't do a christmas tree justice, but here are a few to show you the beautiful work of the Thain girls!!!
(P.S. Please forgive the terrible quality of these pictures. These are taken from a cell phone camera. Court still has my camera and I will finally get it back on Christmas day when she gets her new one. Aren't I a sweet sister to let her use my camera for almost 6 months? It's all because of how much I love my little D!)

Mama bought us this ornament at the Holiday Market this year!

Make-do place for stockings in a house without a mantle.

Dinning Room

I love having a storm door, but hate how it takes away from our wreath.

On Saturday night I went to my first Christmas party of 2009, and then yesterday I started wrapping gifts. There is a lot more to come for our busy schedule this December, but i'm so excited to celebrate our 2nd Christmas together!

My best friend!

I thought I would start out this holiday week telling you what I'm the most thankful for. The three most important people/relationships in my life are my Jesus, my husband, and my family. I fail each and everyday at letting all of these people know just how special they are to me.
I wanted to spend this Thanksgiving thinking about how I can be a better wife and how I can show appreciation to Jonathan and all he does for me. I will start with telling the world (bc the whole world reads my blog) how I am so thankful for his love and support. In all I do, he is always behind me, backing me up and encouraging me in my daily encounters. I never have to worry about his dedication to working hard and providing for our family. He works harder than any guy I know, sometimes working 10-11 hour days and without even complaining. Then I come home from an 8 hour day and grip over how tired I am, all the while he just sits there listening. Over the past year and 1/2 I have watched him grow so much in our Lord. I can see his determination to become the godly man he was created to be. I know it's not always easy having to be the spiritual leader of the household, and i know he struggles each day, but he is always wanting the Lord to teach him new things in order for him to grow and strengthen in his faith. The few things that have never changed with J, and I pray never do, are that he is always making me laugh and he loves my family as much as I do. God knew what he was doing when he brought Jonathan into my life. He isn't the same guy he was 6 years ago, and i'm so thankful for all the work the Lord has done in Jonathan's heart over the years. We haven't been married long, but I love being able to look back over that little bit of time and see the changes God has made in us. We went from being two selfish single beings, to two people trying to live each day providing for all the needs of the other. And that is not always easy my friend, and I know I have a long way to go. But I am so thankful that Jonathan chose me to spend the rest of his life with, spending each day trying to think less of himself and more of me. God def knew what he was doing when he created each of us for the other.
Thanks babe for all you do for me and for just being you! I love you!

NEW MOON

Last night, or should I say this very early this morning, I attended the midnight premier of Twilight Saga: New Moon with some of my work buddies. We saw Twilight at 9pm (for only $5), and then around 11pm headed into our allotted theater to wait anxiously for the movie to begin. Buying the $5 Twilight ticket was well worth it...a great way to pass the time, instead of waiting outside in a long line. Before I tell you how great the movie was, let me begin by telling you why I was so excited about going to see this movie. It all started back when I began working at the Gap. All my coworkers were and still are obsessed with Twilight. That's all they talked about, so I figured I might as well read the books so I can be a part of the conversations going on around the work place. After I finished the first book, I watched the movie and it was good, but I still wasn't hooked. I love to read in the summertime as I lay out in my back yard, so I didn't mind picking up the second Twilight book, New Moon. I finished this book in less than 3 days and would then say, I was hooked, or sucked in to this obsession, if you will. I read all four books and ever since we've all been anticipating the New Moon movie. I can't wait until Eclipse next summer!

Now that you know my story of how I began to love Twilight, now I can tell you how much I loved the movie. If you know me well you know that I don't do late nights very often. I fall asleep when it gets dark and I get comfy, so even in a movie theater I have been known to fall asleep a time or two. I was a little nervous that I was going to waste money on this ticket because I would just fall asleep, but oh no, this was well worth staying up for. I had to sit on the edge of my seat a time or two to make sure I was not getting sleepy, but I didn't close my eyes except to blink. This is def a movie I could go see again...it was awesome. I don't want to give too much away, but the only dissapointment was the ending. It just leave you hanging...but overall, I would def say it's much better than the first movie, Twilight.

Too early for Christmas? I think not!

So when is it too early to decorate for Christmas, to listen to Christmas music, to shop for gifts, to make a wish list???

I say it's never too early! It might be the fact that I now work in retail and it's hard to avoid Christmas anytime after the date of Oct 1st. We've had all our decor up, trees and all for 2 weeks now in the store. We started playing Christmas music last week, and we are already planning for all the "Black Friday" shoppers. (FYI, if you are one of those who gets up at the crack of dawn to shop on the day after Thanksgiving, stop by the Gap to get your Buy One Get One Free sweaters... we are also having this promotion on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving as well.) This all probably plays a big role in the reason why i'm almost already done with all our Christmas shopping. I only have a few more gifts left before I have my whole list checked off. This is not the norm for me, and I've always been one to say that you shouldn't do anything "christmas" until after Thanksgiving. Working at the Gap has changed my perception on this, and i'm not ashamed to say each day at work i've been not only enjoying the music, but i've been singing along and been in the cheerful christmas spirit. I wanted to decorate our house the week of Thanksgiving before we go out of town, but Jonathan said he would put a stop to that. He is a firm believer in the whole "no Christmas before Thanksgiving." So to fill that yearning of Christmas cheer, i've turned to shopping. I can't wait to start wrapping all the gifts and putting them under our tree. And who doesn't love some good holiday commercials, like our new Gap advertisement that just started playing. It's a little corny, and nothing can beat the old Oreo Christmas commercial with the little boy waiting up for Santa, but it still puts a little pep in your step to get geared up for the Holidays.

Ok, ok, I realize i'm seeming to forget all about a very important holiday on the calendar. But just so you know, i'm still looking forward to Thanksgiving and will do a post soon on Thankfulness. This is not a holiday to be taken lightly. I mean geez, who doesn't want to sit down with family and enjoy a delicious feast? I am very excited about next weekend, even though the majority of it will be spent working, I am fortunate enough and thankful that we get to spend thanksgiving day with our family! Because of my crazy work schedule, Jonathan's family was gracious enough to change their traditional thanksgiving weekend plans so that we could all be together on Thanksgiving day. My family, along with his family will be enjoying next Thursday all together as one big family in Lexington, and I can't be more excited about it! And it only makes it that much better that I get to eat fried turkey...which only happens once a year!

Fall Cleaning

I don't have to go into work until 5 tonight, so I had the whole day to do whatever I pleased. I started the morning with the Lord in a good quiet time, watched last week's private practice espisode, and then got bored. I have been putting off cleaning the house for a week now, and couldn't make excuses any longer. I love a clean house, but hate to clean. So i took the plunge and did a good deep clean throughout the whole house (a whole house that is only 1200 sq ft...haha). But, even though it's small, it still takes a while to clean the entire house at one time. But boy do I feel so good! I love it! The house smells great, but I feel dirty...thankfully I hadn't taken a shower before I started cleaning.

Now I get to look foward to my lunch date with Jonathan. He comes home almost everyday for lunch and when i'm home and not working, I love that time we have together!

Have a great fall day everyone!!!

Congrats to the future Mr. & Mrs.

Lacey and Kyle are getting married!

I am so excited for yall and can't wait to see all the great things God has in store for your future!

PC HOMECOMING

This weekend was homecoming at the greatest place on earth, PC. We came up Friday night and spent the night in Laurens with Court, Ryan, and Durham. Today we spent the day tailgating and catching up with old college friends. The weather turned out great and it was a beautiful day to spend outside! PC lost the football game, but all in all it was a fabulous day!

Cutest baby and cutest outfit (courtesy of Aunt Brookie) at the game...

The Proud Uncles...

Back at the house after the fun day, relaxing with little D!

Great Recipe Blog

Here is the link to an awesome recipe blog. I have already saved several of her recipes on my computer. I can't wait to try them out! I get excited about new recipes because I am the type to easily get into the habit of fixing the same things over and over again for dinner. When I get good ideas like these from this blog it helps me to venture out and try new fun dinners. I'll let you know when I try some out and give you my food critics.

Check it out: House of Bowling Recipes

Last day of Summer! :(

In honor of the last day of summer I decide to bit the bullet and blog again. I'm sad to see the summer end, but excited to break out the turtle necks, jeans, and sweaters. Football season is about to crack up and we are all pumped about tailgating, PC homecoming, the Clemson game J promised to take me to this year, and i'm sure a UGA game or two. I love fall weather, but i'm just not ready to let the summer heat go. The Thain family just got back from Edisto Beach on Saturday. Because of Court being pregnant right in the middle of summer, we decided to go late in August so that the Molony crew (including Durham) could join us for the week. We had the best week and did not want to leave. Edisto is the most tranquil and quiet place. Our days consisted of waking up early, going on a run or bike ride with Daddy, laying in the hammick on the screened in porch with Durham napping on my chest, laying on the beach, playing games on the beach, going for a walk on the beach, coming in for lunch, then going out and doing it all over again. We cooked most nights and just enjoyed being with family. Shelby and Henry got to come down and join in on the fun for 2 days. Thank you to Mama and Daddy for the awesome week! We couldn't have asked for a better vacation! We love you!








Now that we are back at home and getting back into the swing of things, i'm marking all important dates for the fall on my calendar. The coming months are sure to be busy and full of fun.

Another very important date that has already past, but has not been forgotten by me was our first anniversary. Jonathan and I celebrated our 1 year on August 16th. It has been an awesome year and I am so blessed to have such a great husband. Everyone says the first year is the hardest, and I don't believe it, because this year has been fun and exciting...not hard in the least! I can't wait to see where the Lord will take us in our future, but for now, I am so happy to be Jonathan's wife! I love you babe!

Ohio Mission Trip

Mama and I will be leaving tomorrow at 6:45am from the Columbia airport for our Ohio Mission Trip. We will be ministering to African refugees in several ways. Teaching ESL (English as second language) classes, Back to School Bash (school supply give a way), crafts, songs, and games with the kids, and much more. We will return to Columbia on August 11th, but while we are there we would appreciate your prayers. We want to show their community Christ's love through our own relationships, through how we interact with them, and our conversations. God is already at work in Ohio, and he will continue to work in the lives of these refugees after we leave, but please pray that while we are there that we are encouraged and renewed by our interactions with them.
Below is a prayer guide that you may use to pray for us. Again, thank you in advance for any prayers for our team! God will work through your prayers in more ways than you will ever know.

Prayer Guide for Ohio Mission Team

August 4-11, 2009

We would be so honored to have you praying with us during this time.

July 27-August 3 Preparation
Pray that we stay focused on our own spiritual preparation. Pray for clean hearts and hands. Pray that packing will go smoothly and that God will lead us to exactly what we need to take. Pray for our hosts as they prepare for our arrival and complete logistical details. Pray for the other teams as they prepare to come.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5

August 4 Travel & Orientation
Pray for rest, health, and safety for our team, those who will be joining us, and our Ohio hosts. Pray that our luggage arrives with us. Pray for complete unity and flexibility as we begin our orientation so that we will be open to hear God’s plan for our time here. Pray for our Man of Peace as God works in his heart. Romans 9:17

August 5 Prayerwalking, Distribution, ESOL & Crafts at Community Center
Pray for strongholds to be broken and hearts to be soft to hear His message of love and hope. Pray that we will be invited into homes and be led to leave the Jesus Film with families.
2 Corinthians 4:1-7

August 6 Prayerwalking, Distribution, ESOL & Crafts at Community Center
Pray that the communication barrier of speaking a different language will not be a hindrance. Pray that we will have opportunities to share stories from the Word. Pray that each of us will be in tune with the Holy Spirit and will allow Him to guide our every action.
Ephesians 3:14-21

August 7 Prayerwalking, Distribution, ESOL & Crafts at Community Center
Pray that God will use us to love the people we meet and that their hearts will be open to God’s truth & love. Pray for the children who come to craft time while their mothers attend ESOL classes. Pray that those we encounter will see something different in us and seek Truth.
Psalm 19:14

August 8 Block Party & School Supply Distribution at Community Center
Pray that God’s love, joy, gentleness, and peace abound in and from each of us as we give an expected 300 children school supplies. Pray that the children and their parents will see Jesus in us during what could be a chaotic time.
John 3:30

August 9 Worship at Local Church, Crafts at Community Center
Pray that our worship at a local church will hold renewed awe as we praise our Creator and Sustainer. Pray for renewed strength as we have more time at the community center with children and adults. Pray that all those around us will know we are HIS disciples by our love.
John 13:34-35

August 10 Follow-up Visits with Families
Pray for Spirit-led conversations as we are sensitive to His leading. Pray for discernment of when not to speak and for boldness when we are to speak.
Exodus 4:12


August 11 Travel back to SC
Pray that many in Ohio will be called to continue serving this community. Pray for safety and health as we travel home. Pray for restoring rest so we will be prepared to return to work. Pray that we will never forget all that God has taught us during this week and that we will continue to pray for these precious people.
Acts 1:8

The Puzzle Club

So go ahead and call us dorks!
The other day while J and I were strolling around in Walmart, we came across the puzzle isle. Oh yes, we bought a 1500 piece puzzle and have been working on the massive thing ever since. The only table we have the is big enough to work on it is our dinning room table. So, because J thinks we can't work on the puzzle without the TV on, we had to move to table into the living room. I would be very embarrassed to have anyone over to our house right now, not only because they would think we were the biggest nerds with this puzzle out, but also because that one piece of furniture out of it's place makes me feel like our whole house is a wreck.
I do have to say i'm a little addicted to working on this puzzle. Anytime I have a free minute I try to find another fitting piece. It might take us a year to finish this monstrosity, but we will get it done. Alyssa, LP, and Aly might know this feeling, because I do recall the summer after our freshman year in college they created "The Puzzle Club." I was not a part of this puzzle club but I'm pretty sure they invited Ryan (my brother in law) to be a part of this club. You have to know each of them to know how funny this is.
Oh well, I guess if me and my friends weren't so dorky we wouldn't be any fun to be around. And i'm so glad I married a dork too, to enjoy doing things like this with me!

Oh and did I mention I get to see Durham all weekend. We have a wedding in Lexington and get to spend the whole weekend with the fam! I can't wait to hold her and kiss her!

Just a little update

The summer is flying by and so many fun things have already taken place, but there is still so much to look forward to before the weather starts turning cold. Of course there is always more time to spend with my sweet little Durham, and that is always something i look forward to. Some other things to be excited about in our coming weeks are: Spending this weekend in Atlanta with J's family, Mama and I are going on a mission trip together the first week of August, and last but not least, our Family Edisto Beach Trip the last week in August (Durham's first beach trip).

I don't wish the days away, because I love summer time, but I am excited that there is so much coming up to be excited about. I love this summer weather...a lot of people probably think i'm crazy, but I would rather walk outside and immediately start sweating than walk outside and immediately have my teeth start chattering. I'm not a fan of winter weather. After Christmas is over, i'm ready for summer weather again.

All this to say, i'm soaking up the great hot weather while i can. Fall will be here before we know it!

I'm OBSESSED!!!

I had to work from 6:30am to 10:30am on Tuesday morning and as soon as I was off, I got in the car and raced to Laurens. I couldn't get there fast enough. I am officially obsessed with my new niece, Durham. I spent the day and night with Court, Ry, Mama, and sweet Durham and we had a blast. She is the sweetest, best smelling thing in this world. I could sit and hold her all day long and never move and inch, and be more than happy. I never thought I could love someone else's child so much. I know she has my name but I truly do feel a special bond to her. I can't wait to continue to watch her grow up to be a pretty young lady, but I don't want it to happen too fast, i'm loving watching this sweet, innocent, helpless in every way, baby!

Last night Courtney Shelton and Elizabeth Ann came to visit and meet Durham. It is so fun watching others see her for the first time! Courtney and Ryan are doing great and I know they appreciate all of mama's help this week. They are already amazing parents!

J couldn't go with me yesterday but I know he wanted to be there, because he kept asking me to text him pictures of Durham and give her kisses! I don't know the next time I will be able to go to Laurens, but I know one thing...it won't be soon enough! I left this morning to go back to work, but I hated leaving! I think we all know where I will be spending all my spare time in the next 5+ years.

Durham Cameron Molony

Welcome to the World little Durham!

As of July 9th at 3:35pm, J and I became an Aunt and Uncle. Durham Cameron Molony is the most perfect, precious, beautiful creature on the face of this earth. (Court has my camera so I can't post pics, but please see pics later on today on her blog www.teammolony.blogspot.com)
I can't tell you how much I already love her and love being an aunt!
We spent 15 hours at the hospital yesterday with a bunch of family and friends, and thanks to the cutest little boy in the whole entire world, Henry, we were all well entertained as we waited for Durham to make her entrance. Yesterday was one of the best days of my life and I can't wait to send some more of the weekend with Durham, Court and Ryan. We are leaving to go back to the hospital when J gets home from work in a little while and hanging out with them until they go home tomorrow.
Court did great and was the best sport, and I know she would not of been able to be such a trooper without Ryan being by her side through the whole amazing experience. So, Congrats new Mommy and Daddy! We are all so excited for you! You will be the best parents for Durham, bringing her up in a Godly household and always striving to show her God's love!
We love you and your new family addition more than you know!!!!

Wahoo for KRIS ALLEN!!!

Jonathan and I have been obsessed with American Idol this season and did not miss one show. Of course we were pulling for Kris Allen and we were so pumped last night after they announced that he had won. He is a quiet, humble guy with an amazing voice. He's the type of artist I love to listen to. That acoustic, Jason Marz/Jack Johnson, type and I can't wait till his first album comes out! And to top it off, he's a Christian and I pray that he will continue in his faith even when the fame and fortune can get in the way. Kris and Danny were our two favorites throughout the whole season and I think the reason we were so drawn to them was because even without saying so, you could tell they were believers.
The only sad part about all this is I don't know what we will watch on Tuesday and Wednesday nights now. I know, it's sad we have our "shows" that we have to watch each week, but I guess this will be a good excuse to get off the couch and go for some walks after dinner this summer.

Mother's Day

Happy Late Mother's Day!
We had a great time celebrating the day with Mama. After church we took her to a restaurant called Motor Supply Company in Columbia. The food was awesome and the company was even better. The rest of the afternoon we just had fun being lazy and hanging out with my family.
I am so thankful to have the most amazing mama and the best mother in law in the world! Hope you both had a great Mother's Day! Love you both!!!