long time no see

Friday night I met up with Erin, one of my best friends and roommates from college, for dinner at Fireside Pies.

Erin was in town with her Mom and Aunt for Market in Dallas. I hadn't seen Erin since my wedding almost 15 months ago, so it was so great to catch up with her. Erin is one of those friends that you just pick right back up where you left off.

Erin and I met very early in our freshman year. We were friends all through college and even stood in each others weddings. Here's some of the good times we've had together!!

Erin, let's not wait this long to see each other again!! Love you girl!!

weight loss, diet tips, work-out ideas

Show us Your Life Friday

{Weight Loss & Diet Tips and Work-Out Ideas}

When I was in college, I definitely gained the freshman 15 plus some. All through college my weight was a roller coaster going up and down by the day. As soon as I graduated college I miraculously lost it all. I say miraculously because I wasn't really trying to lose weight. I think I lost weight because I was out of the unhealthy college lifestyle. I got back down to the size and weight I was as a sophomore in high school. I have kept the weight off and actually maintain my weight (give or take a pound or two) for the past 2 years.

Here's some of the things I've done to help keep the weight off.

To-Go Boxes- When we go to restaurants, I always ask for a to-go box at the beginning of the meal. I put half of the meal in the box then eat the rest, this way I'm not tempted to keep eating on what I know I don't need. (I haven't done this in a while, but I did this alot right out of college)

Biggest Loser- I love watching this show. It's so inspiring and I actually get some great tips from Jillian and Bob.

30-Day Shred- This work-out, lead by Jillian Michaels is a 25 minute full body work-out. Amazing. That's all I have to say.

Lose-it- This is an application on my iPhone that I use to keep track of what I'm eating. I don't always use it, but it's a great way to look up how many calories are in different foods. You can also set goals and record to your weight each day to see how much you have lost.

No seconds- When we eat at home, I try to fill my plate up once with healthy portions and not go back for seconds.

Hop over to Kelly's Korner to see some other great ideas.

peanut butter

I made some peanut butter treats for me and Matt to snack on while we watched Up tonight!

I decided to let Izzie try some peanut butter for the first time. I think she liked it!!

blessing book

Each day, we are given the choice to either judge or value our spouse and their differences. When we choose to bless our spouse, we are choosing to value them. The word "bless" literally means to "add value to a person's life".

My parents did a Bible Study this past fall and were asked to start a "Blessing Book" as a part of their study. They loved doing it so much that my Mom put a "Blessing Book" in my stocking for Matt and I to do as well.

On our nightstand sits our little "Blessing Book."

On the inside of the book it reads......

"Write your spouse a blessing each day and leave this Blessing Book in a place where they will find it. It can be a simple thank you for something they have done, a quality you love or admire about them, a compliment, a private joke only the two of you understand, or even a favorite memory you share. Have fun!!"

I can not tell you how much we have enjoyed doing this. My husband does such a good job of verbally telling me how much he loves and appreciates me, but I love seeing it written. And I know that I will treasure having this book forever. I look forward to the days that I get to see what he writes to me and I know he feels the same way.

Our "Blessing Book" has already been such a blessing to us.

If you want to bless your spouse in this same way, just go grab a little notebook and get started today. I promise you that your marriage will be blessed because of it!!

pressure cooker

My grandma cooks with a pressure cooker all the time. I've always been jealous of how quick she can boil her chicken and how tender her meat gets, but my Mom has kind of scared to cook with a pressure cooker. My grandma always told my Mom growing up to not open the pressure cooker before all the pressure was out or it would blow beans all the way to the ceiling.

I decided to get over my Mom's fear and ask for a pressure cooker for Christmas!!

Nonnie gave me one for Christmas, but I had no idea how to use it. And I was actually a little bit scared. She came over tonight and helped me boil some chicken in my new pressure cooker. We didn't blow any chicken onto the ceiling and I think I'll be able to use it on my own next time.

Thanks Nonnie for helping me learn how to use my pressure cooker tonight.

Mom- if you need a lesson on how to use a pressure cooker, come on over!!

ER

Do you know who these people are??

The cast of ER.

Let me be more specific, the cast of ER Season 3 which is very different from the cast of ER Season 15.

I was looking for a picture of the cast of ER and I found this one...

......and I didn't recognize one single person.

For the last couple months we have been getting ER on Netflix. We love it!! But obviously we have a looooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnng way to go if we haven't even met the characters that finish the show.

3 seasons down....only 12 more to go!!!

meal planning monday & a MckLinky

I've decided to add a MckLinky at the bottom of this post if you would like to link up to my Meal Planning Monday. I have no idea if anyone will link up, but I thought I would give it a try. I love getting new ideas for meals from other blogs, so I would love to see what you are having for dinner this week too!!

Monday: Cheese Tortellini with Italian Sausage, Green Beans, & Garlic Bread

Tuesday: Crock Pot Chicken Soft Tacos

Wednesday: Dinner with The Henrys

Thursday: Pasta Fajoli Soup w/ French Bread

Friday: Matt-leftovers Katy-Out with Erin

Saturday Breakfast: Banana Nut Muffins

Saturday Lunch: Chipotle w/ Matt's Family

Saturday Dinner: Out with Friends

Sunday Lunch: Corny Dogs & Curly Fries

Sunday Dinner: Taco Casserole

$800 later....

I got my computer back on Wednesday with everything back on it!!

TaylorMark successfully retrieved all my data and Apple replace my hard drive.

Fortunately, my computer was still under warranty, so I got my hard drive replaced for free. Part of my keyboard was peeling off, so they even replaced that too. Unfortunately, it cost us $800 to get all my data back.

It absolutely killed me to pay $800, but I think it was worth it not to lose all my pictures.

I have already backed up everything onto an external hard drive and I'm working on setting up a Flickr account. If my computer ever crashes again, I'll be prepared!! I definitely learned my lesson the hard/expensive way this time.

show us how you live fridays

Every Friday, Kelly's Korner she host a Blog Carnival called Show Us Your Life. It started out as just showing each room in your house, but it has evolves to literally just showing/blogging about a specific topic. I always wanted to do it last year, but I just never got around to it. I'm going to try to participate in all of them this year. So from here on out my Friday posts, will be a part of Show Us Your Life.

{New Years Resolutions}

re:post

Last year I made quite a few New Years Resolutions. I was actually able to keep all but a couple of them. I didn't resolve to anything huge or out of the ordinary. They were all simple things that I knew I could do. I just wanted to type them out so I would hold myself accountable. I plan to do the same thing this year.

I know it looks like I have a ton of New Year's Resolutions but they are just small things.

Here are my resolutions for 2010.....

I want to back up all my pictures, music and documents to an external hard drive and also back them up some where else.

I want to find new ways to work out, since we canceled our gym membership this year.

I want to read my 365 day devotional daily.

I want to write in our Blessings Book daily.

(I'll blog later about our Blessings Book)

I want to have people over for dinner more often.

I want to comment more on other people's blogs. I love getting comments, but I'm so lazy and never comment on anyone else's blog.

I want to continue learning more about digital scrapbooking & photography.

I want to finish some decorating projects so my house can be completely decorated.

I want to learn how to sew.

I want to have my Christmas shopping and Christmas cards done before Thanksgiving.

I want to make new stockings.

I want to keep my house, my classroom, and my computer more organized.

I want to simplify my life and enjoy every moment of 2010.

And since I'm retyping this post, I think I might add a few more while I'm at it!!

*I want to try to stop biting my nails.

*I want to keep my grocery bill under $300 a month, preferably around $250.

*I want to keep my car clean.

*I want to participate Show Us Your Life Fridays!!

bathroom curtain

My Mom put a certifcate in my stocking that said....

"Good for one custom green & brown valence"

Made by Mom & Installed by Dad

I cashed in my certificate and here's what I got.....

Thanks Mom for the cute valence! I love i!!

words with friends

Matt and I have a new obsession on our iPhone

Words With Friends

We were immediately hooked, the second we started playing. It's basically like Virtual Scrabble.

If you have an iPhone, get Words With Friends, and play a game with me.

My username is katylink.

(P.S. Notice who is winning in the game I have picured!!)

guess what starts tonight??

I can't wait! I stinkin' love this show. It really is the best reality show out there. (Much better than last night's quality TV!!)And I'm so excited that it's couples again. I like the couples shows better than individuals.

Any one else out there a Biggest Loser fan??

super cheesy

The first show of Bachelor or Bachelorette always makes me laugh because somehow they keep coming up with cheesy pick up lines.

This season seemed to be super cheesy.....

How does it feel to talk to the woman you are going to marry?

What do you feel about "Kisseme"? Florida that is.

Do you want kids.....like right now....with me?

Hook 'em Horns?

You better fasten your seatbelt, cuz it's gonna be a bumpy road?

A Flight attendant costume?

Motorcyle Gloves?

Pretend Fiance?

Soil from Texas?

Double Sided Coin?

Jake & Ashley Spinner?

Chloe dog might get to go home with her Daddy?

Aviator Glasses?

Do you have a registry for these guys?

A Peacock Feather?

Jelly Bean girl?

But "You can land your plane on my landing strip anytime".......oh my word. That was just over the top.

I like Tenley. Who do you like?

(And I actually typed this before he gave her the first impresson rose.)

i give in...

I always say I'm not going to watch the next season.......but I always do.

Any Bachelor fans out there??

meal planning monday

Monday: Chicken Spaghetti, Brocolli, & Rolls

Tuesday: Sweedish Meatballs, Rice, Steamed Squash, Rolls

Wednesday: Leftover Roast Carrots and Potatoes from Nonnie's

Thursday: Leftovers from Mom's House

Friday: Taco Soup & Tortilla Chip

Saturday Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast

Saturday Lunch: Sonic

Saturday Dinner: PW's Cowboy Calzones with marinara Sauce

Sunday Lunch: Lunch with Mom

Sunday Dinner: Homemade Tin Star Club Tacos

barbecue cupcakes

I made these for dinner on Friday night. I thought they were delcious, however my husband did not agree. I don't understand why he didn't like them. They are basically a mix between a barbecue sandwich and a Sloppy Joe, but much better than a Sloppy Joe. (I hate Sloppy Joe's.)

Here is the recipe if you are interested in trying them....

Barbecue Cupcakes

1/2 lb ground beef

1/2 cup ketchup

1 T mustard

2 T brown sugar
can of biscuits

shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown the beef and drain. Mix ketchup, mustard and brown sugar in a bowl to make a barbecue sauce. Add the beef to the sauce and stir. Form each biscuit into a cup in the muffin tin. Spoon the meat into the cups and sprinkle cheese on top. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the biscuits look done.

baby bryson

We didn't have any New Years Eve Plans on Thursday, so we decided to take dinner to some friends who just had a baby. I made Lasangna Roll-Ups for them. That is definitely going to be a staple meal in The Link Home. It's s easy to make. The full recipe was plenty for both us and The Fants to eat.

While we were at The Fants house we got to meet sweet Baby Bryson who was just born December 21st. He is absolutely precious. He just balled up in my arms when I held him. I could have held him forever.

You can go check out Kristin's blog to see more of sweet Baby Bryson!!

new years resolutions

Last year I made quite a few New Years Resolutions. I was actually able to keep all but a couple of them. I didn't resolve to anything huge or out of the ordinary. They were all simple things that I knew I could do. I just wanted to type them out so I would hold myself accountable. I plan to do the same thing this year.

I know it looks like I have a ton of New Year's Resolutions but they are just small things.

Here are my resolutions for 2010.....

I want to back up all my pictures, music and documents to an external hard drive and also back them up some where else.

I want to find new ways to work out, since we canceled our gym membership this year.

I want to read my 365 day devotional daily.

I want to write in our Blessings Book daily.

(I'll blog later about our Blessings Book)

I want to have people over for dinner more often.

I want to comment more on other people's blogs. I love getting comments, but I'm so lazy and never comment on anyone else's blog.

I want to continue learning more about digital scrapbooking & photography.

I want to finish some decorating projects so my house can be completely decorated.

I want to learn how to sew.

I want to have my Christmas shopping and Christmas cards done before Thanksgiving.

I want to make new stockings.

I want to keep my house, my classroom, and my computer more organized.

I want to simplify my life and enjoy every moment of 2010.

2009: a year to remember

2009 seems like it has flown by. Lots of great memories were made and we are looking forward to a great year in 2010!!

Here are some of the highlights of 2009.

Brittany, the maid of honor in my wedding, got married!

I got a new DSLR camera which has totally changed my life and the quality of my photos.

Matt and I spent a lot of time on the lake.

We went on a family vacation to Lake Greeson.

Carson celebrated his 1st birthday.

We got granite countertops in our kitchen.

I worked on decorating our house and even made myself a little home office.

Drew graduated from TSTC in Waco.

Our 4th nephew, Ethan, was born.

We celebrated our 1st anniversary with a weekend getaway to San Antonio.

Our ABF won our church's Fall Festival. We had the best game and costumes!! Sarah, one if the girls I teach with, got married! Matt and I got to visit Cowboys Stadium for a Baylor football game. I designed my first Christmas card.

And we had a very Merry Christmas.

I hope 2009 was a great year for you and your family as well.

so you're saying there's a chance....

My attempts to get my data off my hard drive failed.

We took it back to the Apple Store and the guy there told us that he could no longer see my data and that my MacBook had officially crashed. He said my only option was to visit TaylorMark (a place that does data recovery on Macs).

We drove home yesterday and I was literally in tears thinking of all the things I might lose on my computer. I was completely devasted hearing that my hard drive was completely crashed.

We dropped my computer off at TaylorMark this morning and they told me there was an 85% chance that my data could be recovered. They called me this evening and said that step 1 of 4 went well and they were cautiously hopeful they would be able to retrieve all my data.

failing hard drive

Last night I tried to turn on my computer and all I got was a blank screen. I could not get it to turn on. I made an appointment with the Apple Store today and they had bad news for me......

My hard drive is failing and needs to be replaced.

Unfortunately I have nothing backed up on my computer. They guy at the Apple Store said there is a possibility that I can get all my data moved to an external hard drive. I bought an external hard drive today and I'll be working on doing that tomorrow. I really hope I can recover all my data. I would be sad to lose my music and documents, but I would be devastated to lose all my pictures. I'm really hoping I can at least recover my pictures tomorrow.

Moral to this story: Back up all your data on your computer right now.

meal planning monday

Matt and I are both off work this week, so I have lots of meals to cook!!

Monday Breakfast: Bagels

Monday Lunch: Out

Monday Dinner: Barbecue Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, & Ceasar Salad

Tuesday Breakfast: Bagels

Tuesday Lunch: Matinee Showing of Blindside (Popcorn)

Tuesday Dinner: Leftovers

Wednesday Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls

Wednesday Lunch: Tin Star

Wednesday Dinner: Cashew Chicken & Eggrolls

Thursday Breakfast: Pigs in a Blanket

Thursday Lunch: Northpark Food Court

Thursday Dinner: Lasagna Roll-Ups

Friday Breakfast: French Toast

Friday Lunch: New Year's Lunch w/ my Family

Friday Dinner: Barbecue Cupcakes

Saturday Breakfast: Pop-Tarts

Saturday Lunch: PW's Cowboy Calzones

Saturday Dinner: Chuy's

Sunday Lunch: Chicken in Honey Sauce, Rice, & Broccoli

Sunday Dinner: Nachos

a very merry christmas

We celebrated Christmas with Matt's family on Christmas Day!!

This was our nephew, Ethan's first Christmas. He is just so precious!!

We stuffed ourselves full with a delicious lunch made by Matt's Mom, then started opening gifts. It's so fun watching all the kids open their gifts. I might be a little bias, but I think we have the cutest nieces and nephews ever!!

Ellie showing off her new DSI case.

Emma opening up some snuggly pink pajamas.

Peyton trying out his new marshmallow gun.

Preston modeling his new super hero cape. He was so cute modeling his new super hero cape that he gets his own post!!

And Ethan just being cute!!

After we opened gifts we all snuggled up and watched Elf with the kiddos.

We finished the night with a Link Family Tradition.....Mexican Train. We played the entire 13 round, and guess who won!! ME!!! We didn't leave Matt's parent's house until midnight. It was a late night, but we sure did have a great time with our family!!

We love you and thank you so much for the wonderful gifts!!