The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe...EVER!

For years I have been on the search for just the right chocolate chip cookie recipe. Not too doughy, but now too hard...just the right amount of chewy goodness. It seems I have found it. I got the recipe off of allrecipes.com and tweaked it a bit (I always do!). I used whole wheat flour, so it is a bit healthier, and it is surprisingly delicious! My dad ate the cookies and enjoyed them...and I'm not sure if he noticed the difference in taste...which means there isn't much of a difference! I also used more vanilla. So, in the end the recipe turned out a bit different. Feel free to try to recipe yourself!
Ingredients:
1 c butter flavored shortening
2 eggs
3/4 c white sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 c brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 c whole wheat flour
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter flavored shortening, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy (beat them on med-low). Add the eggs on at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into creamed mixture.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. Due to the fact that the dough is darker because of the wheat, it may be hard to tell what "light brown" is. Cookies will still be a bit doughy and light brown around the edges. DO NOT OVERCOOK! Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Our first NEW couch!

On Saturday, after owning two used couches since we've been married, we bought a brand new couch...and it even has a chaise lounge! I love it! We got a great deal on it too...only $1,200. The store said it was worth $4,200. I don't know about that, but honestly, you can feel the quality when you sit on it. I'm so happy with it!

Did you know...?

Did you know that bananas can cause lack of bowel movement? Did you know that for young infants 2 oz of 100% apple juice (no sugar added) can clear that blockage right up? Now you know. (Now I know.)

Disclaimer: I'm sorry if that was TMI...but I'm a mother now and those details are just life.

A Day in the Life of Jackson

Our little baby is becoming a little boy. He has started to eat bananas with his rice cereal. He rolls over whenever he gets the chance. He responds to his name. He shows so much affection to those he knows. He even pets Libby on his own every time she comes near him. He has a great personality so far! I love this boy so much! I know I'm getting all gushy, but I can't help it! Here are some more pictures for your enjoyment!

Jackson pets Libby. She loves to come sit on him because she knows that he will always be happy to stroke her. So, no matter what position she ends up in on him or near him, she is happy!
Jackson is a natural-born Angel Fan...he just doesn't know it yet.
Jackson spends some quality time with Daddy on his lunch break.
Bananas + Rice Cereal + Mommy's Milk = one happy boy!
Watch Jackson turn over...
...to get some "tummy-time"!
Lately, he has been wanting to grab the camera when I am taking his picture.
He was wide awake when I was putting on his PJs...all smiles before bed!Hope you enjoyed them...I've been told that there can never be too many pictures of Jackson on this blog!

For Dinda...

In honor of one of my most faithful viewers, here are some new pictures of Jackson!

Look at those blue eyes!

Jackson met Becky for the first time and, if you look closely at his expression, he was quite intrigued with her.

On Easter, Jackson opened a present from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Rice...a cool new cement truck!

Of course, Jackson loved the toy had to play with it right away.

Jackson was all smiles in his Grandma's lap!

Jackson had a gangster look going on today. Don't worry. It won't be encouraged!

Jackson - getting some diaper-time! It was hot and he was just so cute...I couldn't put his clothes back on!

I hope you all enjoyed these pictures! Jackson is growing fast and getting to be sooo interactive! He is imitating people now. I love it...its sooo cute! He also is scooting when he is on his belly. I suspect that crawling is in the near future!

Mmm...dinner!

On Saturday, we bought Jackson a highchair. We had to because his car seat was no longer working for feedings. When he eats, he gets so excited that his arms flap and his legs start kicking ....needless to say, the food goes flying. At least with a highchair, his legs can't kick because the tray is holding him in place. He loves sitting in his new highchair!

When he gets excited about eating is when the food gets on his face. He can't contain his happiness!

"More, please!" He reminds me of a baby bird! So cute!

Kitty pictures

A new use for a laptop: a warm bed.Libby likes to "hide" in the bathroom reading material.