Black Bottom Cupcakes!

Happy August!! Its officially baby month around here and I couldn't be more excited!! The countdown is ON! That means I should probably start washing all of the newborn clothes, getting her carseat ready and possibly consider packing a hospital bag...its funny how different things are from having your first child, to your second to even your third. I remember with our first I started preparing her room and clothes months in advance.. folding every piece of clothing perfectly, putting it all in order in her drawers to quickly find out that when you are having a newborn diaper "malfunction" in the moment all those perfectly folded sorted clothes are getting tossed around in a desperate cry for help! This past week I feel like baby girl went through a major growth spurt. My shirts aren't quite fitting the same and when she moves it literally feels like she is trying to escape from my belly. Also I have had a few people comment on how I look like my belly has "dropped" and the question of "when am I going to have this baby already?" has been asked a few times too. As I am typing this she is very active and actually kicking the table that is in front of me so I have to sit very far back just to try and get comfortable (which isn't quite comfortable at all!). My previous two babes were both 3 days early, but I was induced with both of them. We will see!!

Last Friday I made Black Bottoms for the book study group my husband attends at church. It was his week to bring in a snack and I knew from the moment I found out that I had to make these for everyone. It also gave me a reason to bake up two batches of them, one for church and one for home ;) This recipe has been very popular on my moms side of the family and probably one of my (and many others) favorite dessert. They are a special part of my childhood, and my grandma, who I call Gya, is one of the reasons this recipe is in our family. They are a very big hit with everyone who has ever tried them and usually if you bring them to a party you will come home with an empty plate (which is the reason why you would make an extra batch for home!). Moist Chocolate Cake (sorry to all who can't stand the word MOIST) with a Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Center. Delicious right from the oven but the best when served cold. I have seen a few different recipes for these that seem very similar but almost all of them use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. Trust me when I say that these are absolutely delicious. Give them a try and let me know how much you love them too! 

Black Bottom Cupcakes 

Ingredients/Directions:

Combine in a Medium Bowl:

1- 8oz Package Cream Cheese Softened 

1 Egg

1/3 Cup Sugar

1/8 Tsp Salt

Beat well till all ingredients are combined then 

Stir in 6 oz Chocolate Chips

Combine the following ingredients in a separate Large Bowl:

1 1/2 Cups Flour

1 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 Tsp Baking Soda

1/2 Tsp Salt

1 Cup Water

1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Tsp Vanilla

Beat well till all ingredients are combined.

Fill 24 cupcake liners equally with the chocolate mixture. Then drop equal spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture onto the top of each cupcake liner filled with the chocolate mixture. 

Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees

Patiently wait until they cool and then refrigerate till cold.
Best when served COLD!!

Makes 24

Enjoy!

Having Trouble Sleeping?

If you are pregnant, or if your not and you are just having a really hard time falling asleep/sleeping at night this post is for you! 

The past couple weeks I have been struggling with sleep. Either I had too much on my mind, or I would wake up every what felt like 30 mins tossing, turning rolling over, for no reason...It had such an effect on how I felt during the day and I was really lacking on getting things done around the house. I've tried diffusing lavender, and I know for some people it works but it wasn't quite doing it for me.. then my mom recommended for me to rub 1-2 drops of Lavender Oil over my heart before bed. Oh my gosh.... I haven't slept better since! The first night I noticed I slept through the night and once I opened my eyes it was morning! Then I did it the next night too...same thing. I slept great. Then I skipped a night..never skip a night! I slept horrible... One of the nights I had so much on my mind and thought there was no way I was going to get to sleep...  So I ate a few huge bowls of cookie crisp cereal..I know terrible!!...anyways after I gobbled down like 2 huge filled to the top bowls I rubbed on the Lavender. When I woke up it was the weirdest thing I felt like I practically blacked out! I slept so good, and I noticed I barely have dreams when I apply the Lavender oil. Sleep is very uninterrupted, and since Lavender is natural I feel safe applying it while I'm pregnant (of course check with your Dr first!)

Wishing you all a sweet nights sleep!

Click Here to Purchase Young Living Lavender Oil! If You Purchase A Premium Starter Kit It Includes A 5ml Bottle Of Lavender Along With 10 Other Essential Oils and You Will Receive 24% Off Every Order Following!

This is my obligatory disclaimer: 

The information on this website is based upon my research and personal use of Young Living Essential Oils. I am not a doctor. Products and techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and they have not been evaluated by the FDA. Ashley and Honest Essentials will not be held liable for any problems that may occur. We recommend that if you are pregnant or nursing that you would further contact your health care provider before using essential oils

The Third Trimester Drag!

Hey Everyone! I hope you all are having a great week! Myself for one, has been feeling the third trimester draggggg.....where no matter how much sleep you get you can definitely fall asleep standing up by the afternoon, not feeling very motivated to do anything, all with a to do list longer then my day... even trying to sleep at night has become challenging.. tossing and turning (which for one is very hard to do when pregnant, you know just rolling over in bed!) and having to go pee like 4 times a night! Ahh!! Sorry for my little rant....I only have 6 and 1/2 weeks left till my due date and I'm very much looking forward to meeting this little beauty :) 

Besides all of the crazy things about pregnancy, it is very enjoyable to lay in bed at night holding my belly and feeling my little one move about. It is one of those things I will definitely miss, especially when she is sleeping in another room and not right there with me all the time. I know in about 6-7 weeks my life is going to be put into overdrive again, learning how to mange taking care of 2 children to 3 (outside of the womb). Somehow we adjust to the situations and it becomes second nature.. I know that my life changed dramatically since having our first child. Before her I pretty much did everything for myself. I'm not a selfish person, and I never use to be, but life was very different. Now my whole life is my kids. Their needs are way before my own...using the bathroom as a "team", listening to Itsy Bitsy Spider as we drive down the road because its the only way to get my son to stop yelling/crying in the car, raiding the cabinets for spoons of peanut butter, throwing a pee diaper at my back while I'm standing in the kitchen while saying "I have a big fat pee pee diaper!" (yes this happened today!), literally spending more time trying to get out of the house then being out of the house itself, and the list can go on! 

Having small children come with a lot of challenges but there are many wonderful moments too. Like looking at your children in amazement while thinking "wow thats my child, God gave him/her to me", hearing "I love you Mommy" followed by the biggest little armed hug, listening to your kids laugh hysterically at each other while playing together, watching your child dance and sing to music (it makes it even cuter when they get most of the words wrong and make up their own!), seeing their personality unfold before your eyes and the excitement they have with every accomplishment they make. Im so thankful for the good moments and even the wild ones too. Im watching my family grow before my eyes and I am very grateful to have this opportunity in life. 

I think we all have to inspire each other at times, and realize that mommy hood isn't always a perfect picture. That behind the front door there are messes, and chaos, and it is quite normal!  Also to realize that our children are learning, and so are we. Be an encouragement to other Mommys around you, and the best thing you can do for them is to understand what they are going through. I hope this little glimpse into my life will encourage you with yours!

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