I’m a Mother Because of Him

I erased my last post.

That’s not something I do very often. I was feeling like I couldn’t say what I wanted to so I had posted something else.
But the truth is, I’ve been very quietly filled with such gratitude today for this guy. I love moms and women and all that today is for, but I feel so completely in awe that Cade was placed in my life.

A Mother Because of Him

I would never have been a mother without marrying Cade. No, not because 1+1=2, but because of who he is that enabled me to survive.

I’m a mother because this man was willing to do every load of laundry, clean the bathrooms, especially the toilets sometimes multiple times a day to try to ease my suffering. He sat by the door while I heaved nothing from a 70lb body, carried me when my muscle atrophied and walking was not an option. Took me to and from the hospital, sat by my bedside while we made plans for IV therapy and then feeding tubes. Prayed with me and over me each week as we worried over concerns with each baby, and never once missed a beat. Never once complained. Never once lost hope.

It sounded awful to be unemployed while pregnant the second time but if he hadn’t been then who would have cared for me? It sounded horrible to step into a third pregnancy knowing the risks but his faith exploded and he stood with me.

Today I’m a mother because he chose to be my husband, in every way.

Mother’s Day cannot be without the men that are. He truly has fulfilled promises made long ago and continues to do so each day.

READ: I’m a Mother Because of Him

Your Neighbor’s Tomato Cucumber Salad

What is it about the combination of tomatoes, cucumber and onions that is so dang good?! Am I right? It’s like the summer salad trifecta! This is the best tomato cucumber salad recipe ever!

It seems like every year we head off to some BBQ and someone that claims to hate cooking shows up with the most perfectly delicious recipe out of the whole neighborhood. And 9/10 it seems to be a tomato cucumber salad. SO! I’ve changed our neighbor’s recipe slightly and am here to beg you to pin it, especially those who say that they can’t cook because you DEFINITELY can cook this!!

It is so light and refreshing and perfect to cool down on a hot summer day! The dressing is tangy and flavorful without weighing the salad down. There are few things worse than a salad that is drowning in dressing! And this salad is healthy!

Ingredients for Tomato Cucumber Salad

Made with all fresh ingredients, here is your shopping list for this salad recipe:

Salad

• Vine Cocktail Tomatoes
• English Cucumber
• Brown Sugar
• Red Onion
• Parsley (fresh)
• Cilantro (fresh)
• Salt
• Pepper

Dressing

• Olive Oil
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Lemon Juice
• Pepper
• Kosher Salt
• Garlic
• Brown Sugar
• Basil (fresh or dried)

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post. You can save or print the recipe there as well.

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Ultimate Italian Sausage and Peppers Rigatoni

The ultimate Italian sausage and peppers rigatoni with caramelized onions and peppers, crispy pepperoni and juicy grape tomatoes. Just wait until you try it!

This pasta was entirely inspired by pizza. If it’s good as a pizza, it’s meant to be pasta and vice versa in our book. Cade could eat pizza every day of his life and be quite happy, and pasta is quickly taking hold on his heart as well. So if you think this is good we highly encourage you to bust out our Little Italy Pizza recipe too. Like, this weekend, for sure.

Cade and I love good food and the older we get it’s interesting to see how our tastes are changing. Cade never was into dessert and now he’s got a huge sweet tooth. I never was all that into peppers and onions and now anything savory hits the spot for me far more than treats. Which means this Ultimate Italian Sausage Pasta is one of our favorites, followed by a skookie for Cade. Ridiculous…

Ingredients for Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta

Continue scrolling to the end of this post to see the measurements of each ingredient in the recipe card. This is a list of the ingredients needed:

• Rigatoni Pasta – the ridges on the outside gather the sauce beautifully creating extra saucy flavorful bites
• Italian Sausage – you can get mild or spicy depending on your need for heat
• Olive Oil – mild in flavor and helps cook down the peppers and onions
• Onion – we prefer a yellow onion, sliced thin
• Bell Peppers – red, yellow

Chorizo Dip Queso Fundido [+ Video]

Every year, this queso fundido recipe grows even more popular on our site. This chorizo dip is the best dip you’ll ever make and is our favorite appetizer!

Whether you are looking for an irresistible dip for gameday or a new appetizer for New Years Eve, this recipe is a must! It is creamy, flavorful and the chorizo adds the most delicious flavor and heat.

What is Queso Fundido?

It is a melted cheese dip, kind of like a fondue.

Queso Fundido Ingredients

This Mexican queso dip recipe uses just five ingredients. How amazing is that? Here’s everything we used in this spicy chorizo dip: 

• Shredded Mozzarella 
• Shredded Queso Quesadilla Cheese
• Garlic 
• Chorizo
• Tortilla Chips (for serving)

The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Queso Fundido 

Just empty half the package of chorizo into a skillet with one minced garlic clove and cook for about 5 minutes.

Easy, right? And because of the kinds of cheese that we use they literally melt down perfectly just like a dip. It’s awesome! Just use the fine grater for cheese and grate mozzarella and queso quesadilla. Pile it up in a ceramic dish or cast iron skillet and place it in the oven.

Once it’s all melty, scoop the chorizo onto the top and serve immediately. And by serve, I mean hide in the corner and stuff as much as you can into your face before your family discovers you and wants some.

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