January 2012: It's only the beginning!

On January 5th, I celebrated my 30th birthday. David helped make it very special. He bought me some beautiful, pink lilies and a vegan, chocolate cake. And of course, we had to go to Sumo for dinner!

My beautiful, birthday flowers

My delicious, chocolate cake

My 4th annual, birthday dinner at Sumo

The very next day, we celebrated the 2nd birthday of our, sweet Riley.

My sweet Riley Lane, on his 2nd birthday

Friday, January 13th, David wanted to take me out to dinner and was acting very suspiciously...Come to find out, my best friend, Allison, was in town and wanted to surprise me! Best surprise EVER!

Me and my Allison, at Mizu

Then on Monday the 16th, we celebrated with Mama Carole (my MIL) and her boyfriend, Rick. We met at her condo where she gave me my presents, and then we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Brio.

Mama Carole and me before my birthday dinner

As some of you might remember, I had a kidney stone back in September of 2010 (and another in November of 2004)...Well, guess what?! I've got another one! David and the boys have been taking such good care of me though.

Here David is about to start me on IV fluids to help flush out the pesky stone, and Riley is helping Mama feel better.

Giving David a thumbs-up after he got the IV in, and Charlie's turn to comfort Mama.

David and I decided to start grooming the boys ourselves. We decided to shave them down. I have to say, I miss there scruffy faces, but they still look so handsome, and they seem to love their new haircuts.

My handsome Riley and Charlie showing off their new haircuts

There are a number of other exciting things happening in the Lane home. Stay tuned for further riveting news!...Coming soon.

Adventures in Cooking

Let me preface this by saying, I have never loved cooking. Since getting married, I cook regularly and enjoy making food that David likes to eat. I do the bare minimum, not ever really taking a lot of effort to make anything. As long as David liked the food, that was all that really mattered. Ever since just before the beginning of the new year, I've been trying to eat healthier and trying some new things in the kitchen. I've been surprised at how much I'm actually enjoying preparing food, and so far, I haven't made anything that didn't taste at least pretty good. I've recently started taking photos of my dishes to document my newest endeavor.

Healing Stew- second stew I've made, better than the first and first time ever using my crock pot *gasp*

Wheat Berry and Bean Salad- second salad I've made along with second homemade dressing

Delicious Chili- I made pretty good chili before, but this stuff is even better, IMO...second time using my crock pot (boy have I been missing out)

Frosty Chocolate Oatmeal cookies- they may not look that great, but they taste amazing and are perfect for satisfying chocolate cravings! (and they're only about 90 calories to boot!)

Hellooo?! My 30th Birthday is tomorrow, yo! ;)

And I sincerely hope that you will help honor me on my birthday by giving to the Mercy House, maternity home.

I thought you might enjoy getting to know the girls that call Mercy House their home, and learning a little bit about who you'd be helping with your donations. Also, you can meet babies #2-4, born in the Mercy House here! (Just scroll down to the entries for December 16th and 3rd and Novemeber 10th.)

The money you give to the Mercy House will give these precious girls and their babies a hope for the future!

For those of you who are participating in the 30-day Challenge...

Are you participating in the 30-day Challenge for my 30th Birthday?! I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment on my blog or facebook page or send me an email, saying that you have given to Mercy House (and you can tell me Happy Birthday too, if you like)! :) Only 2 weeks remaining!

Only 20 days remaining in the 30 day challenge

My 30th birthday is only 20 days away. To celebrate, I have created a challenge to raise money for the Mercy House, a maternity home for pregnant girls in Kenya. Today, I would love for you to read about how the Mercy House began.

30 days until my 30th birthday: 30 day challenge

Over the past year, as my 30th birthday loomed in the not-to-distant future, I began to think about how I'd like to celebrate my 30 years of being alive. I mean, 30 seems like a pretty big deal, so I knew I wanted to do something special and significant in honor of this momentous occasion. At first, I wasn't sure what that meant, but then it came to me...

Some time ago, I came across a blog of an ordinary woman, who was doing something extraordinary. Her name is Kristen, and after traveling to Africa with Compassion International, she was led to open a maternity house for pregnant girls in Kenya. My heart has been touched by the story of Mercy House, and that of Kristen, and Maureen who runs the house, and the young girls and their babies who now call Mercy House home.

I knew that this year, instead of receiving gifts for myself, I wanted my family and close friends to give to Mercy House instead. Then, I decided to take it one step further. I don't have 30 people who would normally buy me gifts for my birthday, so I am going to issue a challenge. Starting today, I am beginning a challenge to see if I can get at least 30 people, to give at least $30, during the 30 days leading up to my 30th birthday!

To give a one-time gift, go to http://www.mercyhousekenya.org/help/give/one-time and click donate. In the "Purpose" blank, please type that it's for my birthday! :) Or you can mail donations to

The Mercy House

8000 Research Forest Dr Ste. 115-110

Spring, TX 77382

You can also choose to become a monthly donor or choose to give $3 on the 3rd of every month!

Also, be sure to check out The Mercy Shop for unique gifts. The best part? 100% of the proceeds benefit Mercy House

Thank you in advance to everyone who chooses to participate. I am very excited about the difference we will be making in the lives of these precious girls and their babies!

My Birthday is only a month away!

Today is one month until my birthday! I may be making an important announcement tomorrow, exactly 30 days before my 30th birthday! Keep your eyes peeled! :)