Meet the newest member of our family...

BENTLEY

Bentley is a labrador mixed with a Pointer Beagle

We adopted Bentley from a shelter in early November. We are so in love :) So far he has been a good dog with a few puppy tendencies. We've taught him how to sit and stay as well as potty training. Hopefully we can soon teach him how to walk on a leash so that he becomes a good walking buddy for me.

30 Before 30~ Finding a great church

A while back I created a list of 30 things I wanted to accomplish before I turned 30. Since they were in no particular order I started with #29 to find a great church. Shortly after making the 30 before 30 blog my house was broken into. It was heartbreaking, and scary all at the same time. In the middle of the day by breaking a door in the sun room somebody came into our house and stole all of our jewelry, most of our electronics, and much more including the feeling of security. Friends and Family were of great support and I cannot thank them enough for their kind words, offers to stay, and even some financial help, so that we could replace some of what was lost. We will never be able to replace the rings that were blessed on our wedding day, but our love for each other will never be lost.
I decided that this was a better time than any to turn to God. Ever since we moved to Long Beach I said that I wanted to find a church where I could feel like home so I finally set out to find one. I started by a mere google search for churches near my house. Then I looked at websites and narrowed it down to 3 churches. I went to United Church of Christ first, and I liked it a lot and felt good about my first visit, but wasn't sure if it was my "home" church or not.
Then I went to Parkcrest the following Sunday. As soon as I got there I felt good about it, but then the sermon started and I realized this was the church I was supposed to be part of. I never even needed to go to the 3rd church. The sermon was about rethinking fear. It was exactly what I needed to hear after my house was broken into. I had felt broken, and unsafe in my own home. The sermon taught me to not allow fear to have the final say, and to be proacive instead of reactive. So we got an alarm system, and a new Dog. My FIL also put bars on the windows. I feel safer trusting God and relying on him in the midst of my fear. So since my first visit I have been attending Parkcrest heartwell campus. The sermons have been amazing and I really look forward to Sunday mornings.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7




ETA: I brought my Mom to church with me last Sunday and it turns out the associate pastor Married my Parents!! And the main pastor Mike interned under my old pastor, the one who married Josue and I. SO I guess this church was meant to be.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

I had a potluck to go to on Monday. I didn't want to go to the store so I thought what crowd pleaser can I make (as I am stuffing Jalapeno Poppers in my mouth) Then I realized I can't make poppers since I didn't have enough but I could put all the components together. So I created Jalapeno popper dip. (I did a google search later and realized I hadn't invented it, it was still really good all the same) I wasn't sure how it would go over, but everyone loved it and asked for my recipe :)

So here ya go!

Ingredients

1 bar of cream cheese softened
1 cup of sour cream
1 cup of Mexican crema
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
1-2 cup(s) of panko crumbs
4 Jalapenos diced and seeded. (You can add some seeds into mixture to give it a little heat)


Preheat Oven to 400 degrees
In a saucepan add cream cheese, sour cream, crema, jalapenos and 1/2 cup of panko crumbs. Melt and add to a oven safe dish cover with panko crumbs and parmesan cheese. Put in the oven for about 15 minutes and broil for a minute to brown. Serve right away with tortilla chips or Club crackers. ENJOY!

I also saw a recipe online where they added some cheddar cheese to the melting process, that sounded good too. I may try that next time.

Thankful!

My dear friend Melissa, started writing what she was thankful for on her blog each day in November. Each time she writes one I feel all warm and fuzzy inside and wish I had thought to do the same. But yesterday her words really hit home and I wanted to share since I feel the exact same thing.

So as Melissa so eloquently wrote

I am thankful for...

God. I believe that he has his own plan, that I cannot control what lies ahead. He will guide me down the path he has already written for me. His tests make me stronger

30 Before 30

Just after my 25th birthday in February I started compiling a list of things I really want to accomplish in the next 5 years. I like to think I am a goal oriented person so I hope that writing these things down and setting these goals for myself means I will accomplish them. These are not the most adventurous things, but just normal things I will aspire to finishing.

Daniella Karinne's 30 before 30 list

1. Buy a house
2. Make a family; have a child
3. Run a 5K (well at least jog it)
4. Go to Hawaii
5. Go to Punta Cana, DR
6. Go to Mardi Gras
7. Be brave and go back to Mexico
8. Visit NYC with Josue
9. Go on a classic American road trip
10. Go on a road trip up the pacific coast
11. Go on a mission trip
12. Learn conversational Spanish
13. Lose 30lbs
14. Read the bible all the way through
15. Purchase one piece of expensive jewelry for myself
16. Go snorkeling
17. Go Kayaking
18. Find a job I love
19. Take a pole dancing class
20. Begin more philanthropic ventures
21. Learn how to make a gourmet 5 course meal.
22. Finish my in progress scrapbooks
23. Make a first year scrapbook for my phantom child
24. Pay off our debt (school loan & Truck)
25. Grow berries and more organic things in my garden
26. Write a book (TKN?)
27. Start a retirement plan or an investment portfolio
28. Make a difference in at least one person’s life.
29. Find a church I really like
30. Forgive and move on

As I finish these I will cross them off my list and write a blog about each one.

When I am finished I will write a 40 before 40 list and so on.

Hopefully by then I can add some more adventurous things to my list.

Keith Smith – National Linebacker Of The Week - SJSUSpartans.com—Official Web Site of San Jose State Athletics

My cousin Keith Smith (SJSU #31) was National college linebacker of the week for his 3 sacs and 14 tackles. I was cheering for him at SJSU this last weekend. All I can say is that I am so proud of my cousin. What an accomplishment, especially as a freshman. Now if only we could get their offense to step up, we could win some games ;)



Keith Smith – National Linebacker Of The Week - SJSUSpartans.com—Official Web Site of San Jose State Athletics

Want a laugh?

The comedian Colleen made yet another amazing video. California Gurls by Katy Perry.

Enjoy!