Advice to the Class of 2016

Graduation season is upon us. I just love seeing the smiling faces of sweet kids on their graduation announcements.  I got to thinking the other day about things I wish someone had told me when I was 18 and about to head out into the world.  So I jotted down a list. Maybe I will make this an annual thing.

My senior class photo....14 years ago.  How did that happen??

1. Always send thank you notes.  Paper ones. That you place in the mail.  Texts and Facebook posts don't count. When someone gives you a gift or does something kind, buy a box of thank you notes, get a pen, and write a note. It matters.

2.    If you need money for something, work for it.  (I am not referring to anyone in particular here and I am not trying to piss anyone off. Also, there are emergencies at which asking for help is more than ok and I, myself, frequently send money to people in crisis and donate to non-profits and charities. That's not what I am talking about here.) There is something that makes young people today think it's okay to ask everyone for money.  Can't afford the expensive weight loss shakes and video? Start a go fund me account.  Can't afford to pay for school or lessons or classes?  Beg for cash donations.  I see this kind of thing on Facebook constantly. This makes me nutty. Don't have something you need?  Go get a damn job. Already have one? Get two.  Chasing your dreams is hard. Get to work. 

3.  Learn to be smart with your money.  I swear, there should be a "don't be a  money dummy" class for all seniors in high school.  It's so easy to get yourself in trouble. Get on a budget now.  As soon as you can, start a monthly contribution to a savings account.  Even if it's just $25, make it every month without exception.  And for the love, don't get caught paying the insane credit card interest rates.

4. Do not knock your hometown.  It's okay, good actually, I think, to leave and go see the world. Go meet new people with different ideas and experiences. But don't bash on your hometown. Because the people in that town are the ones who cheered you on at basketball games and brought casseroles when your grandma died, and bought whatever crap you were selling as a school fundraiser.  That town, those people are your roots. They made you who you are. Appreciate them. 

5. Be kind to people different from you.  Just because someone is different than you does not mean you have to be rude or hateful. In fact, you can even be friends. And you might be surprised what you can learn from each other and what you have in common.  I grew up never knowing anyone who was vegetarian, Jewish, or a tree hugger.  I am a meat-eating, cattle raising, non-hybrid car driving Christian, but I have friends now who fit into each of these categories.  I have friends who I guarantee you have never once voted for the same political candidate as me.  I have friends who pray the rosary, a former classmate who reads the Koran, and a buddy who spent two years as a Mormon missionary. And I am better for knowing them all. What would the world be like if we all were kind and respectful to those different than us? I pray one day we will know. And I plan to do my part to make that happen. Please do yours. 

6. Go to class. It is seriously very hard to fail a class in college when you show up. I don't care if you are tired or hungover or heartbroken or whatever. I had one class where me and two of my guy friends literally played Sudoku puzzles Every. Single. Day.  But we were there. Go to class. Butt in the seat.  One day when you put on a cap and gown again, you will thank me. 

7. Dream big.  Then go a little bigger. I think this is the number one piece of advice I would give kids. Especially kids form small towns.  You don't even know what possibilities exist.  No one ever talked to me about law school when I was growing up. I literally never thought of that as an option.  I never knew anyone who traveled to Europe on vacation or even thought about living in a big city apartment by myself.  It never occurred to me that I could watch golden helmets run out of the tunnel in South Bend or not die after running a half marathon.  But I was able to do all of these things. Dream big. Keep your mind open. Never sell yourself short.  You have no idea how much you are capable of. 

Here's to you, Class of 2016.  The world needs good people.  Go be one.

16 in 16 Report: January - April

Okay, I am guessing maybe I'm just bad at these things, but I swear these lists are harder and harder for me to keep up with.  I blame a little red headed boy for distracting me.  Here's where things stand after the first four months of 2016.

1.  Run a half marathon. Keep running during the pregnancy. (So far, so good.)

So....once again, a baby is going to prevent this list item from happening this year.  No worries though, I will run a post-two-babies half marathon in the future!!  For now, I'm hoping to continue running during my pregnancy.  Last time, I was so sick and losing so much weight, I had to stop in the first trimester.  This time, I'm good to go!  Here we are in the second trimester and I'm continuing to run (just a mile at a time) several times a week.

2.  Continue monthly photos of The Baby from Texas until he is one year old.  (7/12 complete)

Although the 7 month photos were a couple weeks behind schedule, we took them so we're calling this one a success so far.

3.  Read a classic.  (No progress)

4.  Go on 5 dates with The Boy from Texas.  (2/5 complete)

I'm going to count our afternoon at a pig show for this one.  BB's Grammie watched him and we just hung out watching our friend judge a county stock show.  Probably not the classic date, but we really enjoyed it!

At the end of April we went to a 4-H fundraiser and had an absolute blast.  BB spent the night with his Grammie and we really enjoyed a kid free evening of dinner, dancing, and sleeping in the next day!

5. Send an encouraging note to a friend once a month.  (4/12 complete)

January: I sent a little note along with a book to a friend who recently found out she was pregnant. 
February: Failure.
March:  Failure.
April: I made up for the last yep months by sending 3 in April. First, I sent notes and onesies to 2 pregnant friends. Second I sent a little note and some stationary to a friend contemplating a new adventure.

6.  Go to adoration twice a month.  (4/24 complete)

January:  I went to St. Hyacinth, down the road from my office one Thursday and while on a work trip I found a tiny little perpetual adoration chapel in Waco.

February: I went to my very favorite Adoration Chapel while on a work trip to College Station.

March:  Failure.

April:  I went to St. Hyacinth down the road from my office.

Going to have some major catching up to do on this one. Why is it something that is one of my favorite list items is so easily set aside?

7.  Read 5 new books. (1/5 complete)

I recently finished "For the Love" by Jen Hatmaker. I  love everything she writes, but this one was hands down my favorite.  Here are a few of my favorite quotes.

"The gospel is perfectly demonstrated through the daily labor of parenting."

"Do not look sideways for answers."

"Theology is either true everywhere, or it isn't true anywhere.  If it isn't also true for a poor, single Christian mom in Haiti, it isn't true!"

"God measures our entire existence by two things:  how we love Him and how we love people.  If you get this right, you can get a million other things wrong."

8.  Knock off three more bucket list check marks.  (No progress)

9.  Cook 20 new recipes.  (6/20 complete)

You can see all these recipes if you click here.

- Potato skins
- Stuffed bell peppers

- Turkey cranberry wraps 
- White green chile chicken enchilladas
- Chicken stir fry
- Cajun chicken pasta

10. Pray the Divine Mercy 200 times.  (9/200).

I'm way, WAY behind on this one for no reason other than I've not made myself do it.  Getting serious now.

11. Add 10 new clothing items to my wardrobe.  COMPLETE!

I was able to knock this one off the list completely thanks to Stitch Fix and my Christmas gift cards!  I've added the following items to my wardrobe.

- White jacket
- Polka dot sweater
- White work shirt
- Orange flowy shirt
- Grey sweat shirt
- Green sweat shirt
- White cut out shirt
- Wrap dress
- Black blazer

- Work jeans 

You can see several of these here.
12. Make 4 Shutterfly books. (2/4 complete)

So far I've knocked out 2 Shutterfly books thanks to the free book deals they offer!  First up, I made one book of my pregnancy with BB.  Second, I made a photo book of  his birth.  I am not a scrapbooker and there is no way I'd have time to keep up with something like that, but these books are so quick and easy to do that they work great for me!

13. Hike in Palo Duro Canyon.  (No progress)

I'm a bit concerned about whether my big ol' pregnant self can pull this one off, but I'm not taking it off the list just yet.  Hope springs eternal!

14. Complete a  52 week challenge and a monthly family photo.  (Minor progress)

I've managed to get behind here, but I'll be catching up in the next few weeks!

15.  Keep up with my perpetual calendar.  (Minor progress)

I'm way behind again.  I'll get on it.  Why is it that I don't take the time every night to just stinkin' write something down.  I keep it right next to my bed for crying out loud!!

16.  Finish Uncle Black Belt's book.  (Minor progress)

We are rolling on this one!  Uncle Black Belt is writing away and I've got Chapters 1-5 completely finished.

Bonus: Project 365 with the girls. (So far, so good!)

In 2014, High School Friend, College Roomie, Mrs. Arizona and I completed this. When the three of them all agreed to do it again, I could not chicken out. 

Current Snapshot {May 2016}

I'm stealing this blog idea from College Roomie and doing a little snapshot of what's happening around these parts.

Making:  A dent in the week's to do list.  The last month has been absolute chaos with our lamb sale and The Boy from Texas' grandpa being in the hospital and passing away, so I've got a LOT to catch up on.

Wanting:  To spend some time outside in the sunshine!

Looking:  Forward to a weekend at home.  I'm hoping to do some gardening, dog walking, and help The Boy from Texas with some pen building.

Eating:  Fruit strip from Target.  I am obsessed with these.

Wishing:  My girlfriends lived closer so I could see them and their cute babies!

Enjoying:  This stage of life with BB.  He's now crawling up a storm, pulling up on anything he can find, and into everything.  It's chaos, but a lot of fun too.

Cooking:  Planning on some delicious chicken stir fry for dinner tonight.

Drinking:  Water.  Always water.

Loving:  My handsome husband.

Reading:  The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  I'm in an online book club and this is our second book of the year.

Hoping:  BB's bull in a china shop ways won't cause injury to his poor noggin that he keeps smacking.  I've serious considered getting him a helmet.

Needing:  A nice, long nap.  And a laundry fairy.

Smelling:  Lavendar from my Scentsy warmer.

Feeling:   Content.

Wearing:  An orange sweater and plaid work pants.

Watching:  Last night we watched a special on Fox News called The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden.  It was fascinating!

Newlywed in the Kitchen {2016} Recipe #6: Cajun Chicken Pasta

I love it when a Pinterest recipe works out just like it should.  It's even better when The Boy from Texas likes it enough to want seconds.  This recipe is really easy and it was seriously delicious!

Cajun Chicken Pasta

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced or diced)

2 T olive oil (divided)

2 T cajun seasoning (divided)

8 oz Penne pasta

2 T unsalted butter

3 cloves garlic (I used garlic powder....)

Salt and Pepper

1 C heavy cream

1/2 t lemon zest (I didn't use this because I didn't have any)

1/4 C grated Parmesean

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

Parsley

Shredded Parmesean

In a gallon-size Ziplock bag, add chicken, 1 T olive oil and 1 T cajun seasoning.  Shake well to coat chicken thoroughly. 

In skillet, add remaining olive oil and cook chicken until browned.  Set aside.

In medium pot, cook Penne as directed.  Drain and set aside.

In medium saucepan, melt butter.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant (1-2 minutes).  

Gradually whisk in heavy cream and lemon zest.  

Stir in grated Parmesean until slightly thickened (1-2 minutes).  If too thick, add more cream.  {Warning here....the sauce will thicken as it cooks and when you mix in the pasta.  I got worried it was too runny and added more cheese and it ended up being a touch too thick.}

Season with salt and pepper.  

Stir in pasta until combined.  Serve topped with chicken, diced tomatoes, parsley, and shredded cheese.

Grandpa Joe and the Question

I never knew my grandfathers. Both died before I was born. But when I married The Boy form Texas, I gained a Grandpa Joe.  A tall, thin, grandfatherly man with white hair and a dry sense of humor.  We hit it off right away.  The first time we met, he hugged me as I left and told me I was welcome back anytime as long as I brought more dessert when I came.  And after I delivered him a red headed great grandson, I was definitely in his good graces. He was loving, funny, and very stubborn.  Qualities I find important in people.

After 3 terrible weeks in the hospital, he decided his time had come and he wanted moved to hospice. As we sat in the room waiting for the ambulance to arrive, the nurse asked him, "so, what did you do?"  A simple west Texan reply of, "I farmed and raised cattle" ended the inquiry. 

But I wanted to scream, "He did so much more!" He raised quarter horses and took my husband all over the state to horse shows.  He loved fish fries.  He believed in Jesus.  He has strong opinions that he sure didn't mind sharing. He liked to watch judge shows on daytime television and Duck Dynasty at night.   He worked hard, he enjoyed life, and he always wore the shirts we bought him for Christmas anytime we were coming over. 

And maybe most importantly, he raised a family. A good one, by my calculations. Four generations of which were there that day to stand vigil as his time came. He was married to the same woman for over 60 years, and they sure loved each other.   He got the chance to play with his 5 great-grand children.  Just hours before he took his last breath, my baby crawled up on his bed and babbled for several minutes.  As one of my friends often says, babies are the closest to Heaven since they were there most recently.  Made me wonder what he was saying and if Grandpa Joe might have understood.  He did so much more than he could tell that nurse in those few seconds. 

But as we spent the next 12 hours saying goodbye to Grandpa Joe, I could not get the question out of my head. What did you do? I suppose one day, we will all be asked that question. Perhaps by a nurse, maybe more likely by our God.  What did we do? What difference did we make? How did we show love? Show Jesus? Make a difference? 

Grandpa Joe died about 12 hours after his conversation with the nurse. No doubt, he was ready to go home and he had a good answer to that question when he arrived. 

His was a life well lived. He left behind people well loved. One day, may we all say the same. 

Newlywed in the Kitchen {2016} Recipe #5: Green chile enchilada casserole

A good New Mexican lady needs turquoise jewelry, the ability to snow ski, and a good enchillada casserole recipe. Let me share one of those with you today. 

Green Chile Enchillada Casserole

1 pound ground beef

Salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Cooking spray

12 corn tortillas 

2 cans cream of chicken & mushroom soup (you can use just cream of mushroom but I prefer the can of the two mixed together) 

3/4C milk

Chopped green chile

Colby jack cheese 

Bush's pinto beans (optional)

Brown hamburger meat in skillet. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder.  Drain greese. When cooked, add about half of the green chile to the skillet and mix well.

In a medium sauce pan, add soup and about 3/4 C milk.  Whisk and heat.  Add the rest of the green chile.  

Spray 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Lay 6 tortillas in the bottom of the pan. (They will overlap a lot,  that's ok!)

Spread half of the hamburger on the tortillas.  If using beans, spread half on the meat.  Next spread half the soup mixture.  Top with cheese. 

Then build second layer just the same.

Bake at 350 for about 10-15 minutes just to melt the cheese. 

Newlywed in the Kitchen {2016} Recipe #4: Chicken Stir Fry

This is one of my favorite recipes.  It's easy, quick, tasty, and healthy.  Hard to beat those things!  The Boy from Texas eats it without much complaint, and considering it involves no beef, potatoes, or tortillas, I'd say that is a pretty glowing recommendation from him.

Chicken Stir Fry

1 pound chicken breast

Olive oil

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, crushed red peppers (optional)

About 5 cups mixed veggies (I like bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, and cabbage)

Rice (I personally would make this with jasmine or brown rice.  The Boy from Texas will only eat it with Uncle Ben's long grain rice medley. #marriageishard)

Stir fry sauce (I used Kikkoman, picture below.)

Put olive oil and chicken in a skillet.  Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Cook until browned.

While chicken is cooking, steam veggies.  (You can use a steamer, or you can just put a bit of water in the bottom of a sauce pan, put veggies on top, place a lid on and leave it over LOW heat for maybe 10 minutes or so.)

Put veggies into skillet with chicken and add Stir fry sauce.  (I probably use 1/2 a bottle.)  Allow to simmer on low heat.  Add crushed red peppers for a little spice.

Prepare rice as directed on box.

Serve Stir Fry over rice.

You Can't Plan a Miracle

Well, we've got some big news.

Once everyone picks their jaws up off the floor, we hope you will share in our excitement over this blessing that God has given us.  We know that the timing is not conventional.  I know we were supposed to get married at 23, have 2.5 kids approximately 2.5 years apart, and drive a mini van.  But you know, we've not really done things in the conventional timing.

I was a week shy of 31 when we got married.  We got pregnant with BB right away.  Baby #2 will arrive 14 months after BB.  And I drive a pick up.  So much for conventional.  But God hasn't led us astray so far.  Sure, there have been hard things and hard times and I'm under no dissolution that two babies under 2 are going to be a walk in the park.

But the very day that I had the positive pregnancy test and stood in the kitchen with tears in my eyes, I got a major reality check.  One of my friends suffered a miscarriage.  Another friend learned that their attempt at in vitro failed.  What was I doing crying over a positive pregnancy test when there are so many others desperately wanting to see that blue line?  So I decided then that I would feel only joy for this child that we have been given.

But then, there would be the comments.  People say things that are just hurtful--particularly to someone with pregnancy hormones all over the place. As I struggled to answer questions like "don't you know how this happens?" and "are you crazy?" and "you couldn't have been planning this?," my friend Wade offered the perfect response.

You can't plan a miracle.

Thanks be to God for that.

Newlywed in the Kitchen {2016} Recipe #3: Turkey Cranberry Wraps

I hesitate to call this a recipe since there is no cooking involved, but for those of you who have jobs and/or kids, sometimes a meal with no cooking is just what you're after.  I have been trying to find some new lunch options and came across this idea on Pinterest.  I modified a bit to fit my tastes, and here we go.

(There is no score from The Boy from Texas. I didn't make him one.  He'd hate it.  But I give it a 4/5.)

Turkey Cranberry Wraps

Wrap or tortilla (I recommend the Mission Spinach Herb wraps)

Deli turkey (I like the mesquite smoked)

Sliced cheese (I used white cheddar but any kind would be fine)

1/8 C Craisins (I like cherry flavored)

1/4 apple, chopped

Lettuce

Dressing, mayo or Greek yogurt of your choice

Smear dressing on wrap.  Cover with turkey and cheese.  Sprinkle on Craisins and apples.  Top with handful of lettuce.  Wrap tightly.  Enjoy.

BB Six Months

I remain a month behind posting these. Stick with me...

I don't know how it is possible this baby is half a year old.  HALF A YEAR.  He keeps growing and changing and is more fun every day.

Here's what he's been up to.

--  Added orange veggies and fruits to the food mix.

-- Gone on lots of walks with the dogs.

-- Celebrated his First Valentine's Day!

-- Sucked on some toes.

-- Rode some horses.

-- Met his Cousin Swiss Mister.

-- Looked at lots of sheep. 

-- Discovered tractors!

--Helped with laundry. 

My Favorite Shots

Monthly Check In

Weight:  17 pounds, 9 oz.

Height:  26.5 inches

Head:  90th percentile

Likes:  Scooting all over the floor, his walker, yelling, chewing on everything in sight.

Dislikes:  Shots, sleeping without the comfy bassinet, hitting his head on the floor when he rolls over too fast.