thoughts on love

Most of you know at least a little about our love story, since it is one of our favorites to tell.  Yep, we're pretty unique, or maybe just stupid for not getting married the first time.  At least we found our 'happily ever after' despite taking the long way around.  In the spirit of the holiday I wanted to share a song.

Brad Paisley has produced some of my favorite love songs in the whole entire world, isn't he fabulous?  I swear they can all make me cry.  Anyway, this is a song that really helped me through that hard time when Zach and I weren't together or even talking anymore.  As with any messy break-up and behind all the hard feelings I wondered if he completely hated my guts and really didn't love me anymore.  At the time I didn't really know this to be true for myself, but as the song says, "just have faith and you will see..."  I found so much hope in this message.  Now these lyrics speak to me even more because I know them to be true!  Love really is never-ending, no matter how much time has passed or how impossible it may seem.  I can't find exactly the right words to explain, but this song means a lot to me.  Hope you like.  :o)  And happy valentine's day to all you lovers!



Seasons come and seasons go
One day sun, the next day snow
Flowers die and flowers grow
But love is never-ending

You can't kill it with goodbye
It always finds a place to hide
Inside your heart for your whole life
Love is never-ending

[Chorus]
When the lights have all gone down
It'll still be hangin' 'round
Even when you think it's lost, it can still be found
When every memory has been made
And the pages start to fade
And every prayer you ever prayed is heaven bound
When you think the ride is over
You're back at the beginning
Love is never-ending

When a man and woman start growin' old
The fire of passion may grow cold
But what they got still warms their soul
Love is never-ending

[Repeat chorus]

It keeps goin' on and on
Long after we're all gone away

Time may change what you believe
But one day the truth will set you free
Just have faith and you will see
Love is never-ending
Love is never-ending

I reeeeeeally love my valentine.

Zach has been b e g g i n g me for a PS3 for longer than I can really remember... obviously we could not afford a $300-$400 game system.  I did tell him he could get one if he paid for it with his own plasma money, but we haven't had any extra cash from that either.  Zach is a regular plasma donor and he was deferred from donating for 30 days because of elevated something levels in his blood (I don't remember), which we think is a result of him starting to work out again.

Today I checked the mail and was laughing because I got a customer coupon for the President's Day sale at RCWilley, where I just started working a couple weeks ago.  Anyway it turned into another conversation about a PS3, even though the coupon doesn't apply to gaming systems.  Zach begged me some more and then came the negotiation.  I can't believe I gave in, but I did, as an early Valentine's Day present.  Here is what Zach negotiated:

• the PS3 will go on a 6 months no interest plan so that he can start donating plasma again this Saturday to pay for it (yes he calculated exactly what he will have to pay to have it paid off in 6 months)
• he will clean the ENTIRE house top to bottom by the end of next week, including our bedroom which is always the last thing to get clean.  If you saw our house right now you'd know what a feat that really is
• the game system will be turned off by the time I get home tonight so that we can spend some time together
• I get some new shoes from Target that I asked for (instead of flowers, which would honestly be more expensive anyway!  what a waste!)
• we will go shopping tomorrow to look for some reasonably priced nicer work clothes for me

And some other little extras, such as he won't hold it over my head that he cleaned the entire house, he won't complain or try to rush me when we go shopping tomorrow, and all the extra plasma cash AND work tips that he gets after he makes the payments will go to me, so that it won't get spent.  (Don't make the mistake of assuming I am the financially smart one of the two of us... its more like I just forget that I ever have cash, so... no problem there!)  And finally, if any of these things aren't honored, the PS3 goes back until he follows through.

Ok... what have I done, really?  I'm never going to see him again.  Should I get this in writing?!

called to serve...

I have been trying to think of something worth posting about SINCE it has been over a week since my last post and I generally blog an average of 4 times a month.  I sound like an obsessed weirdo I know, but I just felt it was due.  Unfortunately we really haven't done anything worth mentioning of late.  But I read my friend Katherine's blog and remembered I DO have some news!  She posted about being released from her calling.  But we just got called to a new one.  And guess what it is???
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Sunday School teachers.  Gospel Doctrine teachers, to be exact.  Intimidating since we are not even in a student ward but a family ward with people much older and wiser than us.  This, and cub scouts, were the callings I said I definitely didn't want when we got a call from the bishopric asking us to come in.  (I didn't say that to the bishopric... you know what I mean.)  I literally laughed when they extended the call!  I have a knack for always knowing what my calling will be before I get it.  But of course we accepted.  Today was our first lesson and it went reasonably well.  You'd think it would be easier to teach an organized lesson with two people but it was actually really awkward to juggle back and forth.  I'm so grateful to have Zach with me though or I would have been WAY more nervous.

We were set apart after church and our blessings were both really nice.  It made me excited and I felt really good about this being what we need right now.  I know this calling will be a huge blessing, and challenge, for both of us.  First one down though.

Lesson quote of the moment:

• “Many of you have heavy hearts because a son or daughter, husband or wife, has turned from righteousness to pursue evil. My message is for you.
  
• “Your life is filled with anguish, pain, and, at times, despair. I will tell you how you can be comforted by the Lord.
  
• “First, you must recognize two foundation principles:
  
• “1. While there are many things you can do to help a loved one in need, there are some things that must be done by the Lord.
  
• “2. Also, no enduring improvement can occur without righteous exercise of agency. Do not attempt to override agency. The Lord himself would not do that. Forced obedience yields no blessings (see D&C 58:26–33).
  
• “I will suggest seven ways you can help.
  
• “First, love without limitations. … Second, do not condone the transgressions, but extend every hope and support to the transgressor. … Third, teach truth. … Fourth, honestly forgive as often as is required. … Fifth, pray trustingly. ‘The … fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ (James 5:16). …
  
• “Sixth, keep perspective. … When the things you realistically can do to help are done, leave the matter in the hands of the Lord and worry no more. Do not feel guilty because you cannot do more. Do not waste your energy on useless worry. … In time, you will feel impressions and know how to give further help. You will find more peace and happiness, will not neglect others that need you, and will be able to give greater help because of that eternal perspective. …
  
• “One last suggestion—Never give up on a loved one, never!”
  
  -Elder Richard G. Scott

winner winner YUMMY dinner

I don't want to bore anyone with my health goals and obsessiveness (well, not THAT obsessed... we won't talk about this weekend.)  But I have had a couple of requests to post some of the yummy HEALTHY recipes we've made and loved.  In case you need something to make for dinner this week...

Shredded Chicken and Tomatillo Tacos with Queso Fresco

Ingredients

• 6 tomatillos, husked, washed, and grilled until blackened
• 1 serrano, grilled until blackened
• Olive oil
• 1/2 small red onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 8 blue corn tortillas
• 1 cup crumbled queso fresco

Directions

Preheat the grill to medium. Add the blackened tomatillos and serrano to a small saute pan and briefly saute in a little olive oil on the grates of the grill.

Place the tomatillos, serrano, onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and honey in a blender and blend until smooth. Place the tomatillo mixture in a large saute pan and place on the grates of the grill. Bring the mixture to a simmer, add the chicken, and heat through.

Place the tortillas on the grill, and grill for 20 seconds on each side. Spoon the chicken mixture into the tortillas and top with a few tablespoons of queso fresco. Fold the tortillas in half serve immediately. 

***My review:  Well, we have made this twice in the past week, so we love it.  Similar to green sauce or tomatillo dressing from Cafe Rio!  I cook and shred my own chicken to make it healthier, and we used multi-grain tortillas when I couldn't find blue corn and they were delicious!  Also good with black beans, homemade guacamole, sour cream... the options are endless and we usually like to twist it up a little.

Minted Squash Orzo

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried orzo pasta
• 1/4 cup garlic flavored olive oil, divided
• 1 large yellow squash, about 8 ounces, quartered lengthwise and sliced
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish

Directions

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the orzo and cook for 8 minutes; pasta will be slightly undercooked. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the orzo in a colander in the sink.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown and soften, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the cooked orzo and cooking water. Bring to a simmer and stir in 3/4 of the feta; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the water is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and mint.

Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle the remaining feta over the top and garnish with additional chopped mint.

***My review:  This was one of my favorites, Zach liked it but not as much as me I think.  It's a different flavor but I really liked it, although if you choose to use butternut squash make sure you have a chainsaw to cut it with, and cook the squash for longer than the recipe calls for!  Other than that- SUPER easy!

 Turkey Meatballs with Quick and Spicy Tomato Sauce and Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

Ingredients

Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, liquid included
• 1 teaspoon finely minced canned chipotle en adobo and sauce, or more to taste
• 2 teaspoons chopped oregano leaves
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• Salt
• 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves

Meatballs:

• Cooking spray
• 1 pound ground turkey meat
• 1 slice fresh whole-wheat bread, crusts removed, pulsed into crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
• 1/2 cup finely grated carrot
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 box (16 ounces) whole-wheat spaghetti

Directions

Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil for pasta.

Make Sauce:

In a 4-quart saucepan heat the oil over medium heat. Saute the onions until translucent, about 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add tomato paste, tomatoes, chipotles, oregano, rosemary, and salt. Bring all the ingredients to a low boil, reduce heat and cook for approximately 15 minutes, until liquid has evaporated slightly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. While sauce is cooking, make meatballs.

Meatballs:

Preheat the broiler. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine the turkey with all other ingredients in a large work bowl. Form into 2 1/2 -inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Broil for 10 minutes, or until browned and almost entirely cooked through.

Meanwhile, remove rosemary sprig from sauce and add fresh basil. Add the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and cook additional 10 minutes, or until sauce has slightly thickened and meatballs have absorbed some of the sauce. While the meatballs are cooking, cook the whole-wheat spaghetti according to package directions.

Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the sauce and meatballs, toss and heat through over medium heat. Divide evenly among 4 pasta bowls and garnish with parsley and 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan.

Yield: 6 servings (1 serving equals about 1 1/3 cups pasta and sauce, plus 2 meatballs

***My review:  This was a little more time-consuming than they let on, although if I made it again I'm sure I could do it faster.  Zach LOVED this one, and I liked it.  It ended up being less 'saucy' than I would have liked, a little dry for my taste.  But healthy and delicious!  The sauce was spicy... what a good way to cover up the whole-wheat noodles, if you don't like those!

 

I'm no longer embarrassed of my shopping cart

So... THIS is what we eat now!




No big deal really... we're just your friendly neighborhood health nuts. At least ONE of our resolutions is going well! P.S. Zach has already lost 11 lbs! Go hunny!

This is right after Zach got home from work and collapsed on the bed... so did Roxy

reach on down and touch your toes, how long since you looked at those?

So, we have an exciting new year ahead of us. Zach started school today- hooray! I asked if he wanted me to take a picture with his backpack on but he said no. :o) We have set 5 new goals together (some of which really aren't going well at all yet, buuuuut it's still a work in progress). One of these new goals being: getting back in shape.

The background story is that we have been paying for a gym membership since April and not using it- we had no time in Florida and that sent us on a spiral of bad habits. Zach started donating plasma again and came home and reported that he weighed 201 lbs. I asked if he had ever broken 200 before, to which he replied "NO! I've never even broken 180 before!!!" Clearly he was very upset. :o) I took a 'before' picture for him, in which he looked slouchy and grouchy, so that in the 'after' he will be tan and happy. I'm excited for THAT blog post. Haha! Although I am not trying to lose weight I always swore I would be in shape before I got pregnant, and if we are to even THINK about having kids this year or next, its time to get started.

Now, the hard work. I'm on Day 3 and very sore. Zach's goal is to lose 25-30 lbs, and mine is to benchpress 65 lbs easily- the deadline is April 10th since we have some weddings to attend that month. My goal may seem silly, but I kid you not, I am already struggling with the bar. Never did have ANY upper body strength, or lower either really. Horrible!

I currently feel about like Peter does here:



Bangarang!

everyone: