New kitty!

A close friend of mine ( Elrike )had to get rid of her kitty. I have always liked this cat, her personality is so unique. So of course I tried to convince Mike to adopt her. He made me believe he wanted nothing to do with her when all along he was plotting with Elrike to surprise me with the cat on valentines day! Her name is Percy:)

A

Newport Feb 18th-21st

Mike had a work conference he had to work/attend this weekend. Spouses were invited to come and all was paid for by the army! Whoo Hoo! a free trip to the beach.... yessssss! The down side was that Mike was pretty busy and we both had meetings we had to go to. But still all expenses paid including food!?! so worth it!

We got to Newport Thursday around lunch time. Mike had a couple of things to do to get ready for the conference and then we had free time time till people started to arrive. The weather was WONDERFUL! it was warm and there was no wind... which all Oregonians know that is a rare treat. So we went for a long walk on the beach.

Friday, Mike was gone for most of the day in and out of meetings and working. I had one meeting in the afternoon which I thought was pretty boring but I did learn a couple of things about the army family programs I didn't know before. The National Guard has so many programs and benefits for families. A huge plus for us! I think that its safe to say that anything I possibly need they have it available for very little cost or even free. I know so many people have had negative experiences and its sad to see the bad attitudes that people have towards it. It has its downs but you deal it. That's life anyways right? I really do love it, I am proud to be an army wife. The kids love the army too, everything about it is exciting to them.

After Friday I must say I have a new appreciation for what mike does. His new position that is. Iv always know what he does but never seen him in action. His boss keeps him on his toes. Lets just say his boss made me stressed out just watching him. Long story short but Mikes boss is a very particular type of person and even if a table is just an inch out of place from where he wants it he will notice and want it fixed, pronto. So mike was pretty MIA all day Friday. We had a nice dinner banquet thing that night and then spent a good 2 hours at the pool and hot tub.

Saturday, Mike was gone most of the day again. I had no meetings so I showered and headed out to the outlet mall in Lincoln City! I scored big time there! Big sales every where! Sweeeeet! After that I headed back to the hotel. I watched a movie, Radio, which by the way is a fantastic movie! and then went out onto the beach again to enjoy the warm sun and spend some time with God. Mike was done around 3ish, we went for another long walk on the beach. Went to dinner at Moe's, Mmmmm! my Favorite! and then we stayed in for the evening watching TV.

Sunday, we packed up and did some shopping before we left for home! All in all it was a good weekend and the weather was the icing on the cake! I'm loving this sun shine. I think its safe to say that I have spring fever now:)

Dec 22nd ~ Jr high christmas party!

We have been leaders in the Jr high, we started just after summer. Its been a huge learning experience but fun also. We had a fun Christmas party. Egg Nog drinking contest, ugliest sweater contest, lots of candy and zoo lights! Here are some pictures...

Here are some christmas photos I took...

WOW!

This is so long overdue! This is my attempt to update from the last few months so stay tuned!

Recipes!

Pomegranate chicken with walnuts

5 skinless, boneless thighs (about 1 lb.) cut into quarters

Salt and pepper

1/4 C. EVOO

1 large onion, halved and sliced

1 clove of garlic

3/4 C. Chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 C. cranberry-pomegranate juice

2 Tablespoon chopped flat leaf parsley

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over med-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until browned, about 7 min; transfer to plat. Add onion,garlic and walnuts to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about 5 min. Stir in the cinnamon, scraping up any browned bits. Return the chicken and any juices to the pan, add the cranberry-pomegranate juice and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 min; transfer the chicken to a serving platter.

2. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally until thickened slightly, about 3 min; stir in the parsley and pour over the chicken.

Serve on top of white rice:)

Sweet potato wedges

1 large Sweet potato

1 Tablespoon EVOO

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

Heat oven to 500 degrees.

Cut sweet potato into wedges and put on a baking tray.

Mix above ingredients together and toss onto wedges. Bake for 18 to 20 min.

Baked stuffed apples

Apples

Brown sugar

Cinnamon

Raisin's

nuts (optional)

Butter

Heat over to 350.

Cut out core of apple leaving just a bit behind so that the apple has a bottom to it. Peel off the apple peel only to about half way from the bottom. Place about 1/2 tablespoon of butter into each apple.

Mix together desired amount of ingredients together and stuff into the apple. Place in a baking dish and bake for 45 min covered. Then another 30 min uncovered. Serve with vanilla ice cream or cool whip!

I don't the exact measurements because I just eye ball it!

Sept 10th

School has started and we are only on day 3 and I find myself bored already. Now that both kids are in school all day long its weird having all this time to myself. As of last night ( after church ) I made a list of things that I plan on doing to keep me busy. We will see how fast I fly through that list! I tend to work faster when I have a lot of time on my hands!

We have had a crazy busy summer. It really has gone by fast. We really had no time to be bored, which was great. The weather has been getting cooler, I can feel fall making its way in. Its a bitter sweet goodbye to summer. Summer and fall are my favorite seasons. I'm sad that the long days are over and the hot weather is turning into the wet season.

I'm getting excited for the pretty colors of fall, the crisp air, warm blankets and hot tea, pumpkin patches, baking treats, and the best one of all the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte! Mmmmm! Mmmmm! good!

As we transition into fall our lives are also transitioning. We feel the Lord really moving in our lives and in a new direction. We having been helping out in the Jr. highers at church the timing was perfect we slipped in as a couple that have been helping out for years slipped out. It just kind of landed in our laps too. Funny how God does that. I was very hesitant to do it and mike was a little scarred. Now after 1 "camping expedition trip" with the group and helping out 3 times he loves it and I'm very much out of my bubble. I currently work in the 2 yr old class and I love it. I love the couple I work with and the kids. They are so cute and fun to work with.

Jr highers are like aliens. I have been in the class 3 times now and I still cant seem to figure them out. What an awkward age! was I like that?!?

I know that this is where God wants us. I know that just when you are feeling comfortable with where you are at God likes to pull you out. I know that he does it to change you and mold you but man! its painful! I'm excited in a scared kind of way. I have been learning each kid names, family back ground and some I must say have sad stories.

Just when I thought that I was going to jump ship and go to my comfortable 2 yr olds the Lord gave me a compassion for these kids. Last night as I was watching them run around out side before the service the Lord told me, I put you here to minister into their lives. To help, to be encouraging, to teach and the big one... to love on them like Christ loves us. I remember having those people in my life as a teen that I looked up to and respected. If I have the chance to be that for someone else then this is where I need to be.

It will be an interesting road but it will be good. God has a plan and who am I to say no?