Thanksgiving Praises!

There is a popular theme on Facebook for the month of November to post something you are thankful for each day up until Thanksgiving.

I decided to blog mine instead....

I posted something each day for 22 days!

So here we go!

Day 1: First and foremost, I'm so ever grateful for the number one man in my life; God.  He is one of few I can truly depend on in my times of weakness, He lifts me up when I fall, and gives me strength when I need it most.  Most of all, His unconditional love has taught me how to love and accept others.  I would be so lost without Him.  

"Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.  For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer." (1 Timothy 4:4-5 NLT)

Day 2: I'm thankful for my family.  I've lost connection with a lot of them, but I still love them like I see them every day.  I wouldn't change them for the world (my aunt Fran, aunt Mary, Aunt Jayme Lee, Uncle Bruno, Uncle Gregg, Uncle Grant, Abbey, Andrew, Nicolas, Mamaw, and Papaw)

Day 3: I'm thankful for a good Irish win today!  9-0 baby!!!  I'm also forever thankful that I did not have a heart-attack or injure myself further during the game!

Day 4: I'm thankful for a day of rest.  Many people don't get this opportunity as they have to work every day a week to make a living.  I'm thankful I have the opportunity to rest and re-energize myself for the upcoming week.

Day 5: I'm thankful for the beautiful weather here in Texas.  70-80 degrees in November is perfectly fine with me!  I'm thankful I don't have to deal with snow yet!

Day 6: I'm thankful for my friends.  Lindsay: you are not only my big sister, but someone I admire.  You are such a strong person, even if you don't believe it sometimes.  I will always remember our many camping trips in our backyard with Dingo as our watch dog, going to school together, staying up late playing cards and giggling, and our many traditional holiday get togethers.  I wish we lived closer so I could watch your daughter and unborn son grow!  Most of all, I'm thankful for a friendship that will always hold a special place in my heart.  Jenny: you have been there for me through the good times and bad.  You never left my side.  You prayed for me and I finally found my way to light.  Our friendship means so much to me and I miss you each and every day.  God has worked in your life in so many different and difficult ways and has made you such a strong person in Christ.  You are such a beautiful person, inside and out.  You are such an inspiration to me!  Even though we are far apart, you are always close to my heart.  Hope: Girl, where do I begin?  I'm thankful for all the fun times we had down at JCC with AJ: going to Taco Bell every Tuesday and Thursday, and becoming the one and only 'Chicken Heads.'  I will never forget that time we got lost and went on a road trip to Indiana, just for 2 minutes!  You have such a beautiful heart and soul.  The love between you and Patrick is a love I hope I can obtain one day!  All of my other wonderful friends, you know who you are!: Each and every one of you has left a footprint in my heart.  We have shared many great memories together and I'm forever grateful for all of you.  

Day 7: I'm thankful for getting reconnected with one of my dearest friends.  Antonia: We always had such an amazing friendship.  We could always turn to each other in the roughest of times.  We went through a lot together and even lost connection for a while.  However, God has allowed us to reconnect again, and I'm so grateful for that.  You have helped me strengthen my faith and I enjoy our weekly bible studies.  As much as I hate that we are apart, our faith in Christ is what binds our spirits together.  Thank you for contacting me back in August.  I've really enjoyed watching our friendship blossom into something I've never known or experienced before!

Day 8: I'm thankful for my sister.  Every 8th day of the month, we celebrate my sister's health of not having a seizure.  On May 8th of this year, we celebrated 14 years of being seizure free.  Kimi: You are such a strong person.  Seeing you struggle for most of our childhood with epilepsy was painful for a twin sister to see, knowing you were in so much pain.  But, you overcame it, just as you can overcome anything!  I might not have shown it through the years how much you mean to me, but it is true that twins do have a special connection.  I have always felt a part of me missing, especially being so far away.  You will always be my best friend.  I love you!

Day 9: I'm thankful for the most beautiful and amazing mother.  Mom: First of all, today is your birthday (November 9th), so happy birthday!  Through the years, we have had many difference, a lot of disagreements, and sometimes a little resentment towards one another.  You mean the world to me and I'm so thankful for you.  I have to say, I miss your uncontrollable laugh at funny movies, commercials, tv shows, etc.  That laugh has always been contagious and always left me laughing until I couldn't breathe.  I miss you more than you know and wish we lived closer together.  I do enjoy our long conversations on the phone though.  I can't wait to see you at Christmas!  I love you!

Day 10: I'm thankful for my dad.  Dad: We might have struggled for a while, but in the end (as always), we overcame it.  I'll always remember our times riding out in the country on the 4-wheeler and you on your dirt bike; all those times you, Kimi, and I would play football until it got dark; and all those nights we would laugh and play 'The Game of Life!'  Even though I live far away, I still love you and miss you.  I'm thankful for the time we do have now, and enjoy spending it on the phone talking (for 3 hours sometimes!).  I love you!

Day 11: I'm thankful for days like today....spending the whole day curled up in my pajamas watching tv/movies with my wonderful husband. :)

Day 12: I'm thankful for our fury babies, Cotton and Gidget.  Even though you may drive me nuts sometimes, you always have a way to brighten up my day.  Cotton, you are always so happy; and when you play, you play!  You always give Matt and I a reason to laugh!  

  

Oh Gidget, your unpredictable ways make me love you even more.  You are such a softy, even though you put on a tough guy image.  You love to play "mind" games, as much as they drive me crazy.  You turn almost everything into a game!  Hide-n-seek.... you're favorite!!

  

Day 13: I'm thankful for the moments that I feel comforted by God's amazing grace.  As I began to worry about if Matt made it to work okay, I received a text message shortly after telling me he had been busy, but was okay.  Thank you God for this sign and the comfort that has come over me.

Day 14: I was NOT wanting to wait until Day 14 to say I was thankful for my wonderful husband!  However, today is significant to our relationship...so I thought it was worth the wait!  2 years ago today, sometime after midnight, we were on the phone discussing how we should start a relationship.  I'm forever grateful for that moment because it has led us to the most beautiful love I've ever experienced.  We have had a lot of ups and downs, however have overcome them as usual.  You are my rock, my knight in shining armor.  I love you more than you know, sweetheart!  This has truly been the best 2 years of my life and I can't wait to experience the rest of my years of existence with you!

November 2010

 November 2011

November 2012

Day 15: I'm thankful for the webcam and skype!  I got to see my hubby for a little while this afternoon.  It's going to make this "long" 4 days bearable :)

Day 16: I'm thankful for having the opportunity to be a house-wife.  Even though I'm ready to start working again, I've really enjoyed having this time off because I was given the chance to grow as a person.

Day 17: I'm thankful that I got invited to a job fair/screening for a teaching position!  I'm looking forward to see what God has planned for me.

I'm also thankful that Notre Dame not only won the game against Wake Forest (11-0 baby!!!), but also has made it to the number one spot!!  Go IRISH!!!

Day 18: I'm thankful for God's Word.  It comforts me and encourages me.  I never thought I would get to a point and feel like such a strong person, even in my weakest moments!

Day 19: I'm thankful for the food that is continually placed in front of us each day.  I'm also thankful that I can multi-task and have cheesy vegetable chowder ready to eat when Matt gets home!

Day 20: I'm thankful my grandmother made it out of surgery okay yesterday and is feeling better than she was. 

Day 21: I'm thankful that we are able to fly into Utah for Thanksgiving.  I'm so thankful for my in-laws and glad to be spending this season with them!

Day 22: I'm thankful for another day of life; and being able to spend the day with amazing people!  I'm also thankful for my family who I cannot be with today.  If I could be in multiple places at once, I'd be with all of you!!  Love you all!

Complaining is....NOT FOR ME!

As some of you know, about a month or two ago, I started doing a Bible study with a friend of mine.  Each week, we do one or two (sometimes more) Bible readings/studies.  In between these studies, we'll ask how one another is doing, our strengthens, struggles, accomplishments, etc.

Today, she had mentioned about seeing a sermon on TV about keeping your mouth "clean."  This not only means keeping the language you say positive, but also your thoughts and your attitudes.

Everyone has the ability to stay positive.  A lot of people struggle with it though...I'm one of those people!

It is easier in some situations to just complain and be negative.  I'm good at this too.  What we have to remember is life is full of challenges.  How we react to these challenges is a reflection on our perspective on life.

Here is a clear example of how my life is being tested even as I write this post.  Being a stay-at-home wife has it's advantages.  However, having two cats who have completely different personalities and needs could drive this stay-at-home wife crazy!  See, "crazy" is a negative word.  Between Cotton being under my feet, scratching and meowing in my face as I do yoga, and Gidget always trying to cause trouble by jumping up on the kitchen counter... it is very hard to stay positive!

However, my friend just enlightened me.  It's going to be struggle, but I'm going to try to make it these next couple weeks without complaining about them and just accepting them.

*Gulp*

"Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.  Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." (Philippians 2:14-15 NLT)

I may need a little encouraging and may need a reminder to read this verse every morning before I get out of bed!  I want to be a better person and my friend really just made me realize how negative I was (without evening telling me I was!)

I challenge you to do the same.  Try it for a whole day.  Go to work, class, or whatever you do each day and don't complain about anything.  Don't even mumble anything under your breath...

"Stupid crazy cat.  You're hungry, I get it.  But leave me alone.  You don't eat again until 5:30.  You are on a diet, get over it!!!  Give me some space so I don't go insane!!!!"

Negative words: Stupid, crazy, insane

Turn your situation into something positive...

"Okay Kara, breathe.  She is just hungry.  She is hungry because she is on a diet and doesn't know any better.  *Breathe in through the nose and out the mouth* Gidget just wants attention and that's why she is jumping on the counter.  Just walk away and breathe.  Try to understand and be in their shoes, err paws for a moment."

Yes, I just did this about 30 minutes ago....but see that difference?  I wasn't as angry afterwards and I was able to laugh it off and begin to enjoy their cuteness as they chased each other around the house.

Try this challenge with me!  Give me feedback on how it works for you!

Happy Tuesday Friends!

XOXO

When life throws you lemons, make lemonade!

I was discussing with my mom the other day in a 2 hour phone conversation how I felt my life has taken a complete 360 and everything "evil", "bad", or "negative" has been thrown my way ever since I moved to Texas 5 months ago.

Then I realized the same thing happened when I moved to Indiana back in 2009.  Everything always went wrong instead of right.

I think this is how God works in our lives though; throws us a few curve balls to challenge us so we learn how to... 

"Trust in the LORD with all of your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5 NLT)

It makes sense, right?

Even through these rough times, I've learned that I went through this to not only build a strong character in myself, but also learn how to be responsible and independent.  I've also learned how essential it is to be dependent on God.  There are situations that we as humans cannot control.  That's when we must lean on God and trust that He will make things right.

With battling my decision on "what I want to do for the rest of my life," I've come to realize that I miss being near children.  After going through countless circumstances trying to get back into school over the last 5 months hoping that one day I might become an ultrasound technician, it's not in God's plan for me right now.  

I have to follow God's plan.  

I want and need to go back to teaching.

I've been applying for teaching positions all week.  I just have to be patient (something I discussed with a dear friend of mine how this is a weakness I need to work on).  I've never been a patient person, but I know God will lead me to the job I'm supposed to be at.

No matter how hard situations can be, no matter how bad they always start off; in the end, something positive will come from it!

"Good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who are patient."

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

XOXO

Chicken Fajita Casserole

Perfect for football weekends!

This is a simple and easy meal to make that lasts for about 3 meals between Matt and I.  We love to eat this on football game days.  As a blogger, I found this recipe on another blog and knew we had to try it.  Tonight is our second time making it and I have to admit, it's still yummy!!

Here is what you need:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, orange or green), sliced
• 1 16-ounce bag tortilla chips
• 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 2 12-ounce jars salsa verde or tomatillo salsa
• 3/4 cup sour cream (low fat or regular)
• 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 9X13 cooking dish/pan
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• We prepared everything a head of time.  
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• Cut up and sauté the onion and peppers (we used red, yellow, and green bell peppers).
• Boil 2-3 chicken breasts.  Shred and season it (we used salt, pepper, and all season salt).
• Mix together 24 ounces of salsa and 3/4 cup of sour cream.
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• Once everything has been prepared, you start to layer!!
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• First Layer:

Sorry, I didn't take a picture when it was full!  But you get the picture.  Layer this on the bottom of the cooking dish/pan

Second Layer:

Add half of the onion and pepper on top of the tortilla chips.

Third Layer:

Add shredded chicken on top of that.  This was 1 chicken breast shredded.  I shredded the other chicken breast for when we repeat this step again.

Fourth Layer:

OOPS!  I forgot to take a picture :)  Shredded cheddar cheese is the next layer.  

Fifth Layer:

Add half of your salsa mix.

Repeat those steps and use up the rest of your ingredients.  After you add your "second" fifth layer of salsa mix, add more cheese!

Cover with aluminum foil and bake in oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  Uncover and cook for another 20 minutes or until it looks golden brown.

Delicious!  Enjoy! :)

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• XOXO
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Blind Faith

I just recently got back in contact with an old friend and it has been amazing.  The most amazing part to it is how we are strengthening each other's faith.  She asked if we could be study buddies and ever since we started studying the Bible together, I've come to understand my faith more.

How crazy is that?

I sat down to read the next passage that was chosen last night.  We first started off with Luke 17:1-19:27 which was an overall message of having a child-like faith.  Children trust parents/adults without hesitation, but do we trust God like that?

Not nearly enough.

After we came to understand this passage, my friend asked me what we should read next.  This is where I feel my "blind faith" came into play.  I had a strong feeling that we should start reading Revelation.  (Note: I really don't know the Bible well enough, but when you allow God to talk to you, you become to understand it more.)

Oddly enough, Revelation almost fed off of the passage we read from Luke, and my "unsure thoughts" with Luke were answered in Revelation!  I became excited as I realized that I was beginning to understand God's Word.  So excited that I had to share with my husband as he was watching his TV show.  

He was excited for me and to see this passion burning within me.  I could barely sleep last night with all the overwhelming thoughts of His word flooding my mind and heart.

I came to realize my faith is much stronger when I understand it better.  That's life in general, right?  Just like in school, you study to understand something more.

After understanding my faith, I started understanding what was wrong with me and what I needed to change.  I have a lot of pride and have a hard time acknowledging my faults, but expect other's to acknowledge theirs.

That's not fair at all.

I feel like I've started over again and I'm getting that seventh or eighth "second" chance to be a better person, a better friend, and a better wife.

What an amazing feeling.  I haven't been able to stop smiling since last night.

I love God and I love understanding Him and my faith even more!

"We love each other, because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

XOXO

Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

This weekend, we got a true feel for fall...it's not going to last though.  It'll be back up to the 80's by Wednesday!  Anyway, when trying to figure out what to cook for dinner on a 50 degree night, it hit me!

Soup!  Something warm and yummy!

Cheesy Vegetable Chowder is the ONLY type of soup I like, especially with vegetables, so I thought I would share the recipe.  My mom made this quite a bit while I lived at home and before I got married, I made a copy of the recipe!   

What you'll need:

1/2 cup chopped onion (we used half of a large white onion)

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 cup celery (we couldn't find any so we left it out, doesn't make a difference!)

3/4 cup carrots, sliced

1 cup cubed potatoes

3 1/2 cup chicken broth (we used 3 cups water and 3 beef bullion cubes)

17 oz canned corn, drained

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

2 cups milk

1 tablespoon mustard

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon paprika 

2 cups (8oz) shredded cheddar cheese

Process:

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large pot, bring to a boil.  Then cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.  

While the veggies are simmering, you can make the cheesy mix!

Melt butter in small pot over low heat.  Stir in flour and cook about 1 minute.  Gradually add milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly.

This is what it looks like shortly after adding the milk.

Now it's thick and bubbly, ready to add other ingredients.

Stir in the remainder ingredients (mustard, pepper, paprika, cheese).  Cook until cheese melts and then remove from heat.

It should look similar to this!

Once the potatoes in the vegetable mix are tender, stir in the corn and then add and stir in the cheesy mix until thoroughly heated, but don't boil!

Serve and enjoy!!

We made some cornbread muffins to eat along with the chowder!

Delicious!!!

If I had a dying wish and wanted one thing to eat, this would be it!  Sooo good!!

Enjoy!

Have a great week!

XOXO

Speaking Meow?

This post is specifically for some much needed advice on our cat, Cotton.

Here is our story...

As most people know, I'm a stay at home wife trying to get back into school, so you would THINK that our cats get enough attention when they need it.

Throughout the day, I play with both of the cats, their cat feeder feeds them 3 times day, and I give both of them plenty of love.

My husband does the same when he gets home.  A lot of evenings consist of playing with the cats about an hour before their dinner, let them eat, and normally that's a sign to sleep (at least that's what the guy from "My Cat From Hell" said!).

Ever since we moved here to Texas, Cotton has been in desperate need of attention, especially when it's time for us to go to bed.  We used to lay down at night and she would take turns laying on top of us while we pet her for a while.  After she had enough, she would lay at the edge of the bed by my feet.

After a while, those 20 minutes in bed "pets" were not good enough for her and she began to beg for our my attention even more.  She specifically wants MY attention, and she will do anything to get it.

She has woke me up numerous times throughout the night scratching at my face, scratching my feet (and yes, I have bled because of these scratches), and just meows constantly.  

Matt and I discussed we will no longer pet her in bed, hoping that would help.  Did it? 

Nope.

We started closing our bedroom door.  BIG MISTAKE.  Our other cat, Gidget HATES closed doors.

  All doors have to be open (she gets nervous when she doesn't have full control over her area!).  So throughout the night, she would bang and scratch at the door.  

Failed again.

Matt and I have lost so much sleep over this.  It's like having kids.

I could have swore I told Matt I wanted to wait 2 years before kids....hmmm...

Since Gidget made so much noise, we decided to keep the bedroom open, and put a bed in the room.  We hoped we could train Cotton to use the bed.  With Gidget being so territorial, it became HER bed.

Fail.

So, we stuck to not petting Cotton in bed.  She was so frustrated that she couldn't get our attention that she decided to chew through Matt's phone charger chord not once, but TWICE!  

Yes, she chewed right through it.

We are seriously exhausted and unsure of what to do.  Any move we make in bed, she thinks we are awake and is walking all over us, meowing and purring waiting for more pets.

So, all you cat owners/lovers out there, do you have any other advice???  We need help!

Please and Thank You!!!!

Lessons to be Learned

First, don't make fun of how I became inspired tonight, but God always has plans...even if they are weird!  Secondly, this may be a little scattered.  It's just how I'm feeling tonight!

Matt and I sat down and watched the Katy Perry documentary movie tonight.  She went through many obstacles to get to where she is at now.  Even seeing her go through a devastating divorce and how hard it was on her emotionally, she still stuck to her passion and dream, and that was inspiring others through her music.

As you've read in my previous posts, I've been trying to get back into school in hopes to apply for the sonography program to become an ultrasound technician.  This whole process has emotionally and mentally drained me.  

On Wednesday, I was at my wits end with getting back into school.  I got no answers and stated I wanted to give up.  I told my mom and Matt that if I don't get enrolled by Spring that I was done trying.  Still trying to stay positive, I made my experiences into a comedy and laughed about it in a blog post!  

Life is a constant battle.  You can never change what life is, but you can definitely change your attitude about it.

**Yesterday, I came across something that made me realize that there could be worse things in life...major reality check.  I started thanking God for all he has blessed me with.**

After watching this movie tonight, I know I'm supposed to be an ultrasound technician.  And I WON'T give up until I become one.

"For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

One of my favorite verses ever!

I got all excited tonight and was showing Matt different ultrasound images on google images.  I was like a giddy school girl.  

   God has a plan for everything, and He has taught me a lot about patience and trusting Him.  I've gone through all this to LEARN.  To LEARN how to become an individual and independent.  To LEARN how to become confident enough in myself and my abilities in order to no longer experience anxiety and fear about trying something new, like going down to a new school to apply to.

I've always had major self-confidence issues and have always relied on other people to get me where I needed to be.  Some people would call that immature, but I call it being dependent on someone.  That's all I ever knew.

My first plane ride by myself, living by myself for the summer of 2011, experiencing the whole driver's license thing by myself, and getting back into school by myself...  

Those were all in God's plan....

God's plan to teach me how to be independent.

  I've learned through all of this that it is healthier to be an individual and to independently do things yourself; in the end, you become a stronger person.  In the end, you've learned how to trust in God.

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) 

Have a wonderful weekend.  Know that you can do anything you set your mind to and with the grace of God by your side.

God Bless!