The Paper Anniversary.

Wow, I can't believe that Matt and I have been married for a year already! This past year was full of life. We made some great memories, and some not so great ones. Our first year married was full of trials, and rewards.
One of the most important things that I have learned this past year: You never know what is going to happen in life, things you never imagined happening will. Life is full of surprises and it doesn't care about what plans you have.

One of my favorite Memories:
I don't remember how long after having my emergency surgery it was, maybe it was later that night.... I just remember laying in my hospital bed, with Matt by my side, being thankful that I was okay and nothing major had happened to me. I remember talking and laughing with him, it was a perfect moment that I will always remember and cherish. It really is the simple things in life that matter.
It doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, the clothes you wear, how much money is in your bank account, or the house you live in. It just matters who you share it with.

I couldn't have asked God for a greater husband than Matthew Miller. I look forward to the many many years we will spend together! I love you Babe!

it was a good week.

It has been a great week. I got 100% on my first math test, an A on my first english paper, and I maked the most delicious meal that I have ever made, hands down.

You know what is really funny? I feel like I have grown up a lot over the last year, or at least I have realized a lot about myself. Most recently I have come to realize that I don't hate math, but rather, I'm intimidated by it, and I'm actually excited to learn it! If you would've asked me even a month ago how I felt about math I would've said " I HATE IT!".

School is going really well for me. I don't care for my french class. I feel like the instructor is ALL over the place. I haven't learned anything yet, but that is probably because I'm taking french 103. I decided to stay with a beginners class because I haven't taken french for a few years, but I would have been just fine with a more advanced class.


now on to more important things... FOOD! This week, as I have already said, I made the most delicious meal ever.

The recipe was called " Penne Pasta tomato bake"

I took a recipe and added a lot of my own ingredients, and I made my own pesto to add to it :)

Pesto recipe:
*2 cups fresh basil leaves
*1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
*1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
*1/2 cup almonds
*3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced

I took all of these ingredients and put them in a blender because I'm lame and I don't have a food processor (hopefully I will get one for christmas...that and a kitchen aid mixer;)
I mixed that up for awhile then put it in the fridge while I worked on the other stuff.

Pasta bake ingredients:
* 8 oz 100% whole grain penne pasta or similar shape
* 1 tablespoon EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
* 1/2 medium chopped onion
* 1 can organic tomatoes ( I get mine from Costco)
* 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano, crumbled
* 1/2 a package of fresh baby portabella mushrooms, chopped.
* 1 1/2 chicken breasts
* freshly grated parmesan cheese
* 1/2 cup organic tomato sauce
* 1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded cheese, Mozzarella , divided


Directions:
cook pasta as directed on package, set aside. Pre-heat oven to 375.
sauté mushrooms on medium high heat for about 5 minutes in some butter. when done cooking set aside. Next, sauté onion and add the canned tomato (drained) and cook for about 3 mins. OH! I almost forgot about the chicken. To make some AMAZING chicken for this recipe take two thawed chicken breasts, and cook in your crock pot for 8 hours on low in 6 oz chicken broth and 1/2 cup white wine. This chicken will be so tender that it will break as you try to take it out of the crock pot, which is a little annoying, but more so exciting :)

okay, now that everything is prepared add it all to a casserole sized dish for baking! Once it is all in the dish add about 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan throughout the casserole. Once that is finished pop it into the oven for 25 minutes, then ENJOY!

Jeremiah 29:13...

13" You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

I have heard this so many times throughout my youth. Yet ,I feel discouraged. I pray, I spend time in scripture with an open heart. Is there something wrong with me? Why is it that there are people who feel God's presence, and I feel nothing?

What has discouraged me most is this: A few weeks ago Matt and I tried out a new church called "Newlife". It was pretty good. We came at the perfect time because they were starting new "life groups" for the fall season. AND I found one that sounded PERFECT and it fit perfectly into my schedule my schedule. It was a bible study for newly married military wives...How perfect does that sound? Well, I signed up for the class and I was so very excited!

A week before the first meeting I got an email saying that the time had been changed to an hour later, meaning that it would run an hour later. Well, that wouldn't fit into my schdule because I would miss half of my math class :(

I couldn't help but cry.


Hopefully I will find another group to join, but my heart is weary.

canineable lector.

I'm glad we got Riley spayed. We call her toys "Babies" (we also call them toys, she will go get them if you call them either) and this is what they look like:

(from left to right)



Turtle no longer has any stuffing. Hedgehog has only one eye, no nose and no arms. VS Pink dog barely has ears, and no tail. yellow pig has no legs and was torn at the stomach, where all it's insides were pulled out. blue hippo had only three legs at time of picture (right after pic she ate the other 3). Squirrel is lucky because the only thing he has lost is his right eye.