If you're looking for a quick and delicious dinner (or lunch) idea, boy do I have a good one for you.

You know me and my special devotion to sandwiches. I think this sandwich blew any other sandwich I have created out of the water. Even my simple hummus and tomato grilled cheese. It may not look like it after the panini press smooshed it down, but that sandwich has goodness packed inside.

I took two pieces of whole wheat bakery bread (love the grainy/seedy crunch on the crust!) and slathered them with pesto. Then, I chopped up some fresh basil and spread it evenly over the bread. Next, I layered on a thick slice of mozzarella cheese followed by a pile of roasted eggplant, zucchini, and squash.

So much flavor!!! And filling too. Even with a belly full of Pumpkin Carrot Cake Bread I made room for this sandwich in my belly last night for dinner. And had take two of it for lunch today. If we had more leftovers I would likely have had it for dinner again tonight. It's just that fabulous. Mmm…mmm!

Am I ready to be a mommy???

A couple days ago, Caitlin posed a question on her blog about how you can know if you’re ready for kids and how much having children can impact your life. Of course, I had to weigh in on the post. I figured I would also share my thoughts here since I have received a similar question from some of you before.

First of all, I believe it is unlikely to EVER feel 100% prepared to have a baby. If you wait for that feeling, you very well could wait forever. There will always be questions if you’re ready, physically able, financially stable enough, etc. to have kids.

Peter and I planned both of our pregnancies, but we never felt completely ready. We decided the time to start our family came when both of us got a deep feeling in our guts that the timing was right. I went off birth control and we figured we would let things happen naturally. With Makenzie, it happened much faster than we anticipated (the first month!). I remember freaking out that I wasn’t actually ready.

Our hearts were right though, and having her brought a new level of happiness to our lives. We found a new normal and adjusted our lives to a family of three instead of two.

Kids do change things in life. You can’t just sleep in until 10 am anymore or pick up and go on a trip at the drop of a hat for instance. But, and this may sound wrong, I also firmly believe in not allowing life to fully revolve around your children. They should be one of the most important parts of life, but not make your life. I try to remember I am still my own person and the marriage partnership is still the foundation of the home.

Peter and I work hard on taking time for ourselves. I still make time to pursue all the things I love and that make me me. My children add to my life. They don’t consume my life. That allows a balance so that parenting doesn’t feel like a sacrifice, as some people can make it appear. It makes parenting a true joy. And it makes me happy I trusted what instinctually felt right in starting our family over 3.5 years ago.

I will never get over the cuteness of this picture!!!

• Are you a mom? What led to you starting your family?
• Not a mom? What do you wonder about most in parenthood?

This day started off on a super high note. How could it not with this for breakfast?

Hello, fabulous. Looking mighty fine. I nabbed two thick slices of my Pumpkin Carrot Cake Bread I whipped up yesterday afternoon along with a banana for my breakfast this morning.

It looks like a small breakfast, but it was actually really filling and satisfying. That bread is so dense, but still so moist, chewy, and nutty. It’s perfection. As Chandler would say.

I also had two cups of coffee because I simply had to go back for a second cup. I didn’t have iced coffee ready (sad day) so had to settle with the hot stuff. I figured if I was going to make hot coffee and have some pumpkin flavah, then why not do some pumpkin coffee?

I tossed a hefty sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice directly into my coffee grounds and brewed up my coffee. It gives it a subtle pumpkin taste, but such a rich aroma.

How I get my pumpkin coffee fix most of the time. Have to save on the moolah.

After breakfast and reading/playing with the kids for awhile, I decided to actually shower before 10 am today. It’s a rare occurrence. I even remembered to put on my everyday body lotion with SPF.

Yet another thing I have been slacking on. I’m good at remembering the SPF face lotion, but I haven’t been on top of my game with the body lotion. Why did it matter today? Because in my mind it will keep  my dermatologist from scolding me for being overdue for a check-up.

Kind of like flossing the week you have a dentist appointment or taking extra time to style your hair before a salon visit.

So, I had the pleasure of spending an hour of my day getting looked over head to toe. Well, only about 20 minutes was the actual check-up. Why do doc offices insist you spend most of your waiting time naked in paper robes staring at a white wall? Just how I want to spend my time.

The visit went well though. I had one mole removed to get tested…which seems to happen every time. I’m not too concerned but better safe than sorry. I’m just a mole-y, freckle-y gal. Which automatically makes me think of that scene from Austin Powers with the mole. Moley moley moley moley. Moooolllllleeeeeeee.

Well, I think I better end that post here before I spew any other randomness at you. Hope you’re having a great afternoon!

• Do you regularly visit a dermatologist?
• Do you do anything to “special prep” for certain appointments?