You Got Served...

That's right, I have been served. Served you ask? What exactly does that mean you ask? Well, its when some random person walks up to your house and hands you papers and says "Youve been served." Thats right, I have been served. UGH!!!! Oh the inhumanity! So I havent actually seen the papers yet, they were given at my in laws house cause thats where we used to live and its the address still on my liscense. I dont know exactly what they are for or who they are from, but the only thing I can think of who it could be is the lady who hit me back in October. She only had liability so she wasnt covered at all since it was her fault. She did try suing my insurance company, but obviously that went no where so now shes after me!! UGH!!!! I mean, what else could it be? I havent done anything to anyone!!! Why me. Oh well, I will update you all later when I know more information, for now I will just smile and pretend like no one is suing me. Ugh.

Recipes...

So I was wandering around some blogs and found one where they had posted some recipes and thought "Hey, thats a wonderful idea!" Well, I dont know who actually reads my blog, but I thought if everyone got into this we could all share our favorite recipes and thicken our recipe book. Im always looking for new ideas, I get so caught up in making the same old thing. Anyways, I thought I would start off with a couple of my favorites, hope you like!

Asian Lettuce Wraps

1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally and thinly sliced
Course salt and ground pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 large red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water
12 to 16 Boston lettuce leaves, (about 2 heads) note: I use romaine lettuce cause I cant find boston lettuce leaves around here, and it works great.

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large non stick skillet heat 1 tb oil over high heat. Add half the chicken; cook stiring constantly, until opaque throughout, 2-4 minutes. Transfer to plate, repeat with remaining chicken.

2. Add remaining oil to pan, along with the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until onion is tender and golden, about 4 minutes (reduce heat if browning too quickly.)

3. Reduce heat to medium; add garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes; cook, stirring until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds.

4. Stir in soy sauce, vinegar and cornstarch mixture; remove from heat. Add chicken and any accumulted juices; toss to coat. Serve in lettuce cups.

Tell the Truth-All the Time

I have truly been inspired by this great man Randy Pausch. I knew nothing of him till Monday when my co worker mentioned he had died, I didnt think anything of it cause I didnt know him. Well, last night I watched the ABC special on him and lets just say I will never be the same again. He was a man with great heart, as he said a "tigger" compared to being an "eyor." It made me think about how I can dwell on such trivial things when this man had a smile on his face knowing he was dying of cancer. His dear wife was amazing herself, with amazing pespective and faith. Together they were an amazing couple and parents, anyone would have been blessed to know them. I only hope I can adapt this mans vigor for life and amazing attitude. He said if he could give any three words of advice he would say "Tell the truth" and if he were given three more it would be "All the time." Not just in general, he meant to yourself and to others. If you truly love someone you will be their critic and tell the truth (but in a loving and proper way of course.) When they stop, thats when you know theyve given up and you dont ever want someone to give up on helping make you a better person. Cause thats what this life is all about, progression and becoming better than you once were. I think this man can help us along that path if we truly believed and adapted his teachings.
I just wanted to share how Ive been touched by this wonderful person. I hope he can touch you as well.

So Funny...

Ok, this is hilarious!! Tina sent this to me and I couldnt not share it...enjoy!

2 Years July 27th, 2008

I cant believe we've been married two years already! Yesterday was our anniversary, but it didnt really feel like it. We both actually kinda forgot until last night, he swept me up in a big hug and said "Happy Anniversary!" and Im like, "Oh yeah, happy anniversary!"

Well, heres to two years and many more.

Because you come to me, with naught save love,

and hold my hand and lift mine eyes above,

a wider world of hope and joy I see,

because you come to me.

Because you speak to me in accent sweet,

I find the roses waking `round my feet,

and I am led through tears and joy to thee,

because you speak to me.

Because God made thee mine, I'll cherish thee,

through light and darkness through all time to be,

and pray His love may make our love divine,

because God made thee mine!

Job Offer

So, I had a strange encounter yesterday. I was totally caught off guard when my co worker told me I had a call but they didnt say who they were. Well, when I got on the phone I find out it is a lady that just recently left the bank to go else where and was wondering if I wanted to go over to where she was! She used to be the branch manager over at another location, and left to go to Commerce I think doing the same thing. Well, she told me there was a position open where she was and that she remembered me being a good teller with excellent communication and personable skills. Mind you this is at work so I couldnt really say much so I was just like, "Sure, we'll see." Wow! I couldnt believe what I was hearing, out of all the tellers we have she called me, I was seriously humbled.
Well, considering were not staying here much longer Ive decided to not take the job. At first, I thought well, if they pay me more and the benefits are just right, I should make a go for it. But after much consideration I realized I really need to just stay here. I really do love my job, I have an amazing boss, I already have really good benefits, I finally have the hours I love and have wanted since Ive been working here, and having been here over a year now I am really comfortable with what I do and to have to learn a new system and only be there a couple months would really be pointless. The pros of going there are deffinitely much less than staying here.
I just thought I would share my fun and interesting story. I am honored to know she thought that highly of me.

Well, some good news I should also share is that James is back at work! YAY!!!!

4th of July

This year, I got to have my sister out for the 4th, and it was a blast! Im so glad Tina was able to be here, we had some good times:) As tradition goes, we went and saw the public fireworks which were better than last years. Last year we stayed in Joplin and watched them, and lets just say they were wretched. At least when you compare them to the ones I used to go see in Idaho Falls, Idaho, those were spectacular! Watching them over the Idaho Falls temple while listening to patriotic music that went along with the show, theres nothing better. Theyre supposed to be the best west of the Mississippi. But anywho, we went to Carthage this year and they were quite a bit better (still not as good as Idaho, but then again I am a little biased:) Well, here in good old Missoura fireworks are legal to buy, so we all pitched in and bought a TON of fireworks and after Carthage we went back to our place since we live in the country on 2 acres and there are "no laws." Haha, thats an inside joke, Im sure your laughing Tina:) Pretty much, they were amazing! Our neighbors next door sat and watched while in their drunken stupor. After living there a year now weve finally made friends with them, but after they found out we dont drink, theyve become a little less friendly. Its sad, they are devoted drinkers and I think once they learned that were not, were not as appealing as friends now! Oh well, too bad for them.

So yeah, James is a goof ball and I dont know what he was thinking here, but it made for a funny picture!

Tina and I kicking it waiting for the fireworks


It took a couple times to get a good shot of us with the sparklers, haha

Yeah, thats right, were cool

Ok, so Im a goof ball too, what can I say:)

Ok, so this one is my absolute favorite! I just wish it wasnt out of focus...anyways, this pretty much epitomizes James and I, I asked Tina to get a pic of us and James kept making funny faces and just as I was leashing my frustration out of him, she caught this...it makes laugh every time

And then finally, we got one:)

Among the living again...

Were back! James is doing A LOT better, considering. He is just really sore and still cant chew most foods, but luckily is off his liquid diet. Its still kind of funny to watch him eat, he cant open
his jaw all the way so he struggles a bit:) Poblecito.

Yep, this is him sucking on a piece of bacon!


















Since James is the type of guy that cant sit unless I make him, he has been going pretty non stop for the past couple weeks. We bought a beater truck not too long ago which James has been working on rebuilding the engine on it. So since he no longer has his car which was ever so conveniently smashed to an oblivion, he made sure to get his truck up and running again so we both would have a vehicle. Which side note: We are no longer selling our vehicles, every car we were planning to sell has been in an accident i.e. my Sentra, totalled, James Tiburon, totalled.

Anywho, the truck is done and James is amazing for doing it all by himself!

Thats James working on getting the cam shaft taken off...yeah, thats right! I know all about engines!

Hes my little grease monkey:)

At the drive in with James good friend from high school who's getting married and heading out to Nebraska, one last hoora!




The day before the accident we had fun at my company picnic

I am proud to say I hit every single ball!! Mind you it was also fast pitch!

Accident Prone James

So, as many of you know James was in a really bad accident last Monday the 23rd. Thankfully, he was wearing his seatbelt, that was the major difference in the accident: he was, the girl that hit him wasnt. The girl that hit him was hopped up on drugs and had crossed over the center line as she was coming up over a hill so James didnt see her until she hit him, with no time to react except for "OH CRAP!" So the difference you ask? He got off with a broken jaw on both sides, punctured lung which has healed, a bruised intestine, stitches on his right knee and on his left ear, a broken toe and a concusion. Her: in a coma on breathing tubes. The difference in wearing your seatbelt has an amazing difference and I am so grateful he has always been faithful in wearing it. I am also grateful he wasnt riding his motorcycle, God made it rain that day I am convinced so he wouldnt be on it. So he was in the hospital for 2 nights which means no sleep for 2 nights. We both were grateful to be back home on wednesday and to finally get some sleep. He lucked out from having to get his jaw wired shut. The dentist said as long as he is good about a soft diet (which he has been) he should be able to get away without having to have it wired. He goes in again this week to make sure its healing and doing good. He goes back into see his doctor next week to see how hes doing and hopefully get checked off for him to go back to work. James isnt the type of person to be at home and do nothing, so its been hard for him to not be at work. But atleast he will be on vacation with me next week when Tinas here. Hopefully we wont get sick of eachother and go crazy! So far, he hasnt been the best patient, I am now seeing why women bear the children and not the men:) But I do feel for him, I feel so guilty when were out and hes eating a bowl of soup and I have a nice big sandwich! But then again, that was me not too long ago with my wisdom teeth so I dont feel so bad:)

Well, thats it for now. Thank you all for your prayers, we have indeed felt them.

Love you all.

Wisdom Teeth

As many of you know I got my wisdom teeth out April 25th. Note: All four! It wasnt as bad as a lot of people told it was probably going to be, thankfully. But I was still really sore for several days afterward and the drugs they give you for the pain made me feel so weird! Well, I thought I would share the picture James took of me right after the surgery, its hilarious! Supposedly I told James to take the picture, but I of course dont remember that. All I remember is James laughing at me and not knowing why! After seeing the picture and him telling me what i was doing I realize why:) Good times.

Wedding Pictures & Update

The whole reason I decided to set up this whole blogging thing is for family and friends to keep up with us and see how were doing. Its hard keeping in touch with family and friends, and any way to make that easier I will take advantage of! I feel horrible that we still havent sent out any wedding pictures, this July will be 2 years! But, better late than never, right?:) So, here you go. Some long awaited photos.


James and I are doing good. Were working on getting the house done, which for the most part it is, its just all those finishing touches. No, we still do not have it listed as of yet. But we are getting there. The way things are looking, we are probably not going to make it out west this fall. We dont see how it will be possible to sell and move in a matter of 2 months. James called the school and they told him as long as he takes one online class/part time he can keep his track for next fall. So If worse comes to worse we will just do that. Till then, we will continue working hard on getting the house sold. We actually have a couple people that are interested. James sister would love to buy it now, but her husband has a year of school left in Arkansas so theyre living half way between here and there. They want us to rent it out for a year so they can buy it when the contract is up, but were not so sure about that. Then theres James best friend Jareds sister and husband who would love to buy it, but they would have to sell theyre house which they paid too much for, so who knows. We shall see.

All I know is we are so looking forward to the family reunion next summer! No matter where it is, we are coming with bells ringing. Its hard to think by then it will have been 3 years since seeing everyone. 3 years! Way too long if you ask me. I just hope all those little ones will remember me by then!

Well, I suppose that is it for now. I will eventually get some pictures up here of the house. Ive been fighting the dust in it for a while, with all the remodeling its just been non stop! Ive been going crazy trying to get rid of it, but now that the majority of the remodeling is done, I can finally keep it clean, so once we get all the power tools out and the rest of the lighting hung, I will for sure be taking some pictures. Till then, know that I love you all dearly and miss you. Muah!

Greetings

Cant say too much right now, but hello!