Tuesday Update

Last night's post was just a teaser for today.

So much has happened since the last "real" update. I even neglected to wish my brother a happy birthday on here (March 24th). It's crazy how fast this semester has flown by... and how quickly I'm realizing how old I'm getting. Nathan turned 27 in March. He's been out of high school almost 10 years. That means I haven't lived with him in almost 10 years, too. In class yesterday, a classmate presented information about being an only child and the stereotypes that plague them throughout their lives. I know that not all only children are selfish or bossy... or even spoiled. But I'm glad I had a brother growing up. I'm even glad he was a brother and not a sister. Regardless of how far apart we may live, there's something special about the bond between siblings. So, I'm glad I'm not an only child.

Aren't we cute!?!

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On a different note, I passed the Praxis II and PLT!! I feel so relieved to be done with those tests. Now I have the Portfolio Defense to work on and finish preparing for by April 18th. 

After I finished taking the tests back in March, my mom and I went to the Collector's Gallery. We found lots of neat things. I bought a wooden quilt rack so that I could hang the quilt Momo and Pawpaw gave me at Christmas. It's a special quilt that Momo's mom made... and one that the dogs will not be able to mess up. So, it needed a proper place to hang. We also found a beautiful huge old window. The frame is wooden and painted a pale blue on one side and cream on the other. The best part was that it was only $35 dollars! My mom bought it for me, and I just now got to take it home this past weekend. I'm really not sure where I want to put it yet, but I'm sure I'll find a place. Once I do, I'll have to post a picture.

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Last weekend was really nice. Zac and I both got off work on Friday a little early. We actually made it to Russellville by 3:30! Then, we decided to swing by Kroger to pick up a semi-surprise dinner for my parents. Lately Zac's been on a burger making kick... so, we decided to cook burgers on the charcoal grill. We don't have a charcoal grill at home... and really want one. It was like camping out without actually going anywhere. While Zac fixed the burgers and brats, I made shush-ca-bobs with bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, squash, zucchini, and jalapeno peppers. We also had a potato medley on the side. While mom was busy making a coconut birthday cake for a neighbor, I chopped up a fresh pineapple. If you haven't had grilled pineapple... you should try it. To say the least, I think Zac and I made an amazing meal!

It was strangely cool.. and perfect for dinner outside!

We even made bacon!

Doesn't it look good?!

I love my family.

My April Dessert for the month = AMAZING!!

After we ate, we played a game of Spades. It was fun hanging out again without feeling any time pressure. Zac and I then stopped by Clay and Nikki's for a little while before heading to Hilda's house. The next morning, my mom and I met up with my friend Desha for brunch at Cracker Barrel. It was very nice getting to catch up again. That night Zac, Hilda, and I took Grandma Wesley to dinner at Catfish Inn. We even stopped by to see Nate and Jami for a little bit. Sunday morning, we went to church at River Park and got to meet baby Gracie. She's such a doll. It was really a great weekend with family and friends. My only regret was not getting to spend any time with my grandparents. Hopefully our next visit won't be so long away.

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I really wish I had more time to update, but I have to get my tags renewed before picking up Christian from school. Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend!

Much love,

Emily

Here are some pictures of primarily Winston... he's just so photogenic!

Zac took Winston for a run and stopped at the ball fields.

happy dog

He was hot!

And found a baseball!

tttttthirsty...

Zac took Winston out while I went into Kroger.

Rolling in the grass...

Winston really wanted to play with Trevor.

:)

Sleeping while we played Spades

Bubba loves having his head out the window.

The brown recluse we found when we got home...

Lately

Lately... What have I been up to? Well, last Monday I turned in my unit. Yay! Big success. Last weekend, we went back to Russellville/Dardanelle and had a great time with family and friends. Life has been a lot more peaceful or maybe I've just been relaxing more than I should. Zac and I have been watching Lie to Me religiously... the third season is by far my least favorite, but I still really like the show. Getting rid of cable was one of the best financial things I've done. We save about $80 a month... if not more because we don't go rent movies all the time either. Anyway, I think that will be all for tonight... tomorrow I will update in more detail.


Much love,
EM

love this boy!!!

Lovely, LONG, and Lively Day

Where do I start?!


Well, I don't feel like typing my day/week story right now so I won't. I just wanted to say that tonight I had an amazing dinner. And I'm not being sarcastic. I had a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich on fresh slices of soft, wheat bread. It was amazing. Then, I had a bowl of broccoli with chopped up warm tomatoes... and a splash of ranch. I'm serious... It was great.


Anyway, I have had a lovely, long, and lively day. Today my practicum class had a Powwow with parents and grandparents... and even some cousins. It was great. I've learned so much and have been able to do so much this semester. Words can't express how blessed I feel to have been placed in Mrs. Price's class. After hearing some horror stories from other classmates, I feel extremely lucky and grateful.


This weekend will be busy. My unit is due Monday, and I still have a lot to finish. So, wish me luck!


Much love,
Em

Nine Years

Nine years ago today... actually late late last night... this guy asked me to be his girlfriend.

Zac's prom 2003

Here are some pictures from our journey....

Mexico Mission Trip 2004

Nate and Jes's Wedding 2005

Engagement Day 5.13.06

Engagement Picture by Ruple Photography 2006

Cruise Summer 2006 with the parents (wrong date on picture)

Cruise Summer 2006

Cruise Summer 2006

Our Wedding Day 8.12.06

Christmas 2006

Summer Family Vacation 2007

My 21st Birthday 2008

Third Anniversary 2009

Boston 2010

Nikki and Clay's Wedding 2011

(Adding pictures & reorganizing them is ridiculously frustrating!)

I thank God everyday for blessing me with such an amazing man coming into my life at the young age of 15. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Zac, I love you... more with each passing year.

All my love,
Em

The Good Wife

Yesterday was a "get things done for my unit" type of day... or at least that was my original plan until I decided to cook an amazing meal for my hubby. :) It was well worth it even if I didn't accomplish everything I needed to for the day.

While browsing Pinterest the other day, I came across a recipe for Grilled Bacon Jalapeno Wraps. If you know my husband, you know that this is something he would love. So, being The Good Wife that I am... I decided to make him some to welcome him home. In planning to make him those, I looked through my recipe box my momma stocked full of good recipes I rarely have time to cook and found her recipe for Chicken Breasts in Sour Cream.... aka Cordon Bleu by Momo (which it actually isn't). Anyway, long story short... I decided to cook a delicious meal of Chicken Breasts in Sour Cream, Bacon Jalapeno Wraps (for Zac... I can't handle any spice, unfortunately), fresh Green Beans, and egg noodles. While cooking, I decided to photograph the process. It was rather fun.

Preheat oven to 275 degrees

Chop up package of lunch meat (ham) or chopped beef - thin is best,
but I had this ham in the fridge that needed to be used.

Place in bottom of a greased or sprayed oblong pan

Place 6-8 chicken breasts on top - trim fat and poke holes in chicken

Wrap each chicken breast with a slice of bacon

Mix 16 ounces of sour cream (I used low fat) with 2 cans of
cream of mushroom soup in separate bowl. Spread on top of chicken.

Wrap with foil and let it cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours

Don't forget the gloves!!

Slice jalapenos in half length wise - remove seeds and stems
(I left some seeds to increase heat... next time I will leave more)

Don't they look pretty!

Spread cream cheese inside each jalapeno half - I used
a cream cheese spread with southwest flavoring. Next time
I plan to use normal cream cheese and add my own seasonings
to it because I think this kind was not as thick as the usual type.

Wrap each half with a slice of bacon - I bought two types of bacon
to try. We usually buy Applewood Smoked Bacon, but I wanted to buy
a cheaper kind too. The cheaper kind actually worked better because
it was not as thick, more flexible, and stuck to the jalapenos better.

I placed tooth picks in them to hopefully keep them together.
It didn't work too well. Next time, I plan to use less thick and
more flexible bacon on all of them.

:)

I was also worried that the tooth picks would scratch my pan.
It was quite challenging.

Here's the recipe for the Grilled Bacon Jalapeno Wraps.
I cooked mine on the stove. The recipe recommends using
an outside grill.... too bad it was rainy!

Here's the recipe for Chicken Breasts in Sour Cream

:)

Don't they look yummy! As you can tell, the cream cheese
came out of the ones that did not stick together well.

If only I could handle spicy foods...

Only half actually turned out right - but Zac said they were
delicious!! So, that's all that matters.

Be jealous! :)

The sauce on the chicken is delicious...
and you can't beat egg noodles!

YUMMMY!!!

I guess maybe I have a little of my mom's amazing ability to cook. I'm glad we have lots of leftovers. Now, I must accomplish a lot today on my unit.... and other school assignments. Blahhhh... what happened to enjoying Spring Break?! I miss the days where skiing with my dad and brother were the main things I did during the break. Oh well, the joys of becoming an independent adult. :)


Much love,
Em

Day Four

Day four without Zac... home alone with the dogs. I'm really not the "oh i miss you" type of gal... but these last four days have been s o   l o n g. I'm seriously realizing how lame my life would be if I weren't married to Zac. I guess it might be a little different if I didn't live in Fort Smith... but still. I'm getting tired of sipping fruity wine and watching Supernatural by myself. I guess it could always be worse. The wine and show are pretty good. :)

Em

p.s. - I look forward to seeing this face tomorrow night...

 ........oh, did I say face! ;)