CRR

6 years ago today, the world lost an incredible soul.

It is hard to find the words to even begin this post, 

as it is one of the most memorable yet heart wrenching moments of my life...

and it will never leave me.

rewind to March 16th, 2007:

Clay was almost exactly a year older than me. His 18th birthday was on a Friday and it just so happened that our last class of the day had been across the hall from each other, mine being German and his was Speech. The bell rang and everyone flooded the hall. Had I known screaming 'Happy Birthday' and basically tackling him in the hallway would have been the last time... 

Since Clay did family things that Friday night, we decided to celebrate the following night.

Had I known that night would change my life forever...

Clay fell 4 stories down from a condo complex that night.

Me and 5 other of his closest friends witnessed.

It's so amazing how every minute, every little detail of that afternoon and night becomes such a vivid memory that will always seem like it was just yesterday.

Clay suffered major head injuries and spent the next 3 days on a ventilator fighting for his life.

We were all very hopefully in his recovery as we had heard nothing but good news about his progress

...until things took a turn for the worst. 

On March 21st, 2007, Clay passed away. 

The minutes following... the hours... the days...

it didn't matter. What mattered was that this perfect, amazing family had lost their perfectly innocent child and for some reason, I was one of the last people he saw.
These vivid images will never leave me because of that.

I was and will forever be deeply saddened but honored, in a way

and will always know he is watching us all and laughing his hilarious, uncontrollable laugh at all the dumb things we are doing down here.

A week after his passing, hundreds of people joined together to celebrate his life and lay him to rest.
It was my 17th Birthday. 

6 years ago today, Heaven gained one hell of an angel.

R.I.P. Clayton. Only the good die young.

Gawk me

Aside from wiping babies butts for a living, I like to think of myself as a Professional Foodgawker-er.  

For those of you who don't know of this magical net-land, it is and has been my addiction for ehhh probably about 3 years now. 

In simplest terms: It's food porn. 

Pages and pages and pages of food porn. 

As soon as I get any quiet time during my day, I find myself scrolling through picture after picture of the best looking burgers and sandwiches and chicken and fries and veggies and cupcakes imaginable. 

My amazing experience as a foodgawker-er has led me to favoriting over 600 glorious foods of all flavors and categories.  

Seriously, this wonderful creation has turned me into the foodie I am today.

Thanks to my gawking discovery, one of my most favorite things to do is to cook for the ones I love.

Allow me...

This is my babe: 

We love to eat.

In fact... eating is our favorite thing to do together.

Fortunately enough for us, we have good genes.

We try to limit ourselves to eating out only on the weekends.

You know... save a few cals and money...

So I've been cooking

Enjoy:

Hanks creation: Chicken Apple and Kale Salad

Amazing Avocado and Spinach Wrap

Healthy Turkey and Bean Enchiladas

 ...Enchiladas 

Hanks Fave Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Steak Mash and Beans

Kale Caesar 

3way Shrimp on the grill: Creole, Lemon Pep, & BBQ

Honey-Soy Glazed Salmon & Kale

...

Recipes to come.

(But if they look too incredible and you just can't wait... just ask)