I was craving S'Mores, but we don't have a fire pit... so S'more Bars to the rescue! These were such a hit and Mitch is already asking for more!

I N G R E D I E N T S:

•  2/3 cup butter softened
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/3 cup mini marshmallows divided
• 3 large sized Hershey bars broken into pieces
• 2 sleeves graham crackers broken into squares + 2-3 graham crackers broken into bits for top of cookies.

D I R E C T I O N S:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Using a mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy in another bowl.
4. Add vanilla, then add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
5. Slowly beat in flour mixture until just incorporated.
6. Fold in the milk chocolate and dark chocolate chips and 1 cup of marshmallows.
7. Lay out graham crackers on a large rimmed baking sheet leaving no gaps between them. 
8. Place small scoops of cookie dough on the graham crackers, using an ice cream scoop and spread dough out a little by flattening with back side of scoop or spoon.
9. Bake for 3 minutes and using a scoop or spoon, spread the top of the dough lightly, so the chocolate and dough mixes together, and covers all of the graham crackers. Place back in oven for 2 minutes.

After 5 minutes of baking

1. Press Hershey pieces, 1/3 cup marshmallows. and 1/3 cup broken graham crackers on top.
2. Bake for 5-7 more minutes.
3. Cool cookie bars in pan.
4. Cut cookies into bars or squares.
5. Store at room temperature in a sealed container.

Makes approx. 24 bars.
Adapted from The Baking ChocolaTess

These past couple of months we have felt so loved and cared for by the sweetest friends & family! Baby Meiss is already extremely spoiled! Thank you all for the fun parties, great food, gifts galore, and adorable decor!
Now we're just waiting for baby to make his or her debut! :)

CLICK BELOW FOR A GLIMPSE OF ALL THE GREATNESS

Here's our 33 week Bumpdate - now published a week late! Oops, life happens! 

All about Baby: This week we had an ultrasound and met with our doctor. Baby was moving all over and hiding his or her face with the cutest little baby hands every time we tried to sneak a peek. Currently measuring about the size of a stalk of celery and weighing 4lbs 15 ounces. Taking breaths and having hiccups. Heart Rate: 149bpm.

Mama's Symptoms: Dropping things and getting winded trying to pick them up! I've literally dropped dirty socks on the way to the washing machine and said sorry dude, you're not getting picked up until I bend down to pick up the next load. Early morning bathroom breaks happen like clock work between 4:15-4:20am every morning, and I'm experiencing some back pain and discomfort when sitting for long periods of time. I've also been experiencing the occasional dead leg in my right leg. It feels like a terrible charlie horse, but lasts a little longer. The doctor said it's caused by the sciatic nerve and is very common. 


What we've been up to: A couple weekends ago we took a day long birthing class (for almost 8 hours!). We walked in feeling like we knew nothing and walked out with some new friends and feeling like we might know something about giving birth, so it was a win win! :) We've felt so loved and spoiled by friends and family; thanks y'all for the sweet gifts and words of encouragement! The nursery is officially painted thanks to my sweet mother-in-love Melissa and Mitch is working on finishing up baby crib. I can't wait to share a nursery reveal next month! Still brainstorming baby names, we have a top pick for a boy and a top pick for a girl, but not 100% on either. Taking any and all suggestions!

We had a baby shower in Nashville a couple weeks ago and we have another one this weekend in Illinois. It's been so fun getting all of the baby things organized! I do have to admit that having the car seat unpacked and sitting in our living room is making baby's quickly approaching arrival seem so real. My favorite is when Mitch walks around with the empty car seat saying "come on baby, we're going to work." Haha. 

​That's all for now! Stay tuned for a Baby Shower post coming soon sharing all the cute things and fun pictures! 

We made this copycat PF Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wrap recipe on Monday and I'm already craving it again! ​

Since there's a very high chance we'll be having this delicious low carb dinner twice this week, I figured I should share it so that you can have it too!

This is a quick and easy recipe that can serve 4, but for just the 2 of us it made for a great lunch the next day.

I N G R E D I E N T S:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (or 2 cloves garlic, minced)
• 1 onion, diced
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp red chili paste or sriracha (optional)
• 1 (8-oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and diced
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 head butter lettuce (or pre-cleaned and packaged leaf lettuce - major time saver)

D I R E C T I O N S:

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add ground chicken and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the chicken as it cooks; drain excess fat.
2. Stir in garlic, onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and red chili paste or sriracha until onions have become translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Stir in chestnuts and green onions until tender, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. To serve, spoon several tablespoons of the chicken mixture into the center of a lettuce leaf, taco-style.

We also made 1 cup of white sticky rice in addition to the chicken lettuce wraps! YUM!

Hope you enjoy :)

Adapted from DamnDelicious

For those of you that said you were interested,  my 2017 Gift Guides are finally here! 
Check out all of these amazing products for him and her. With the help of my husband, these are curated guides filled with products we use and love, or they've been added to our wish lists for this year! 
Enjoy! :)

1. SUGAR BODY SCRUB - This lemongrass body scrub is great to exfoliate your skin year round. Buff away old dull skin and enjoy your skin feeling fresh, healthy, and smooth!

2. WORDSEARCH BOOK - Fields of Green is a beautiful linen bound book, filled with carefully-selected verses, phrases, and quotes that are intended to point you towards rest. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the simplicity!

3. WOOL COWL NECK SWEATER -  You can't go wrong with neutrals! This wool cowl neck sweater is comfortable and classic for at the office or out on the town. 

4. BLANKET SCARF - Stay cozy with a blanket scarf this winter season! Use the code 'Meiss20' to save 20%!

5. ALLBIRDS - My most worn and most recommended shoes! These wool sneakers are incredibly comfortable and easy to pair with leggings or jeans. 

6. SHEER LIPSTICK - This silky-smooth, lightweight lipstick is moisturizing and the perfect mix of sheer color.

7. DUCK BOOTS - Snow or Rain this boots will keep your toes warm and dry! I've been eyeing these boots for a few years and finally added this to my wish list this year!

8. SOFTEST SLEEP SHORTS - My all time favorite boxers! They are seriously made with the softest fabric and I have about 4 pairs now. It's safe to say I'm obsessed with Aerie!

9. SMALL HEXAGON NECKLACE - Wear a necklace with a sweet reminder this one is Micah 6:8! This small hexagon by Dear Mushka comes in gold or silver. A perfect on-trend necklace for anyone in need of a little simplification, a little shine, and a little guidance. 

10. SOY CANDLE - These Mrs. Meyer's soy candles are fresh and safely made with essential oils and plant-derived ingredients. Subtle scents with a 25-35 hour burn time depending on the scent.