quick post

soo randomly searching northmetro church, I stumbled across a friend of mine's, Matt Solik's, video. Wow. Get a box of tissues ready!

Engaged, 1 year later

1 year ago today, I got engaged to the love of my life, Paul Michael Stippich aka PMS.(best initials ever)

What an incredible blessing he has been. I feel like after we got married I really got to know him, REAL fast. ;) Here are some of my favorite things about Paul:

(I love this picture!)

1. Well I am sure most of your remember that the summer of 2009, Paul went to China for over a month, and wrote me a letter for everyday he was gone. I love that even today he STILL surprises me... whether it's bringing home flowers or my favorite candy (he just brought me some sour patch kids!), or writing notes all over our apartment, or giving me a foot massage every night (I know... I am one lucky gal!)

2. He is the most selfless man I know. Always putting me and others before himself. He is a true servant at heart. I am learning all about how to serve, through God and through Paul.

3. Paul is my best friend. I mean... if you walk in to our place, you will find us laughing or just having fun together. He makes me laugh like nobody else can. He is also caring, and drops everything for me. Prime example: I usually fall asleep way earlier than Paul (Yes, I am an old lady and if you know me, you are fully aware of this), he always lays down in bed with me until I fall asleep. After I fall asleep, he goes in the den and plays "Call of Duty" (my least favorite game in the entire universe) with all his buddies online on the PS3. If I call his name at all, no matter what he is doing in the game, he stops immediately to come to my rescue. He is my hero :)

(Wasn't too thrilled that I looked like a little boy when he proposed, but still so THRILLED!)

Ok, I could go on for hours, but I'll stop there. If you know Paul, you know I married a one of a kind, and a truly loving, great man that loves Christ and me more than anything in the world. A year ago today, I had no idea what I was getting into, but man... I sure am glad I did. Being with Paul has been the happiest time of my life.

Did I mention we live in a basement?

I love our second family, The Everswicks (or as Paul likes to call them.. the Ever-so-slicks) upstairs, aren't they precious?

(Rick, Emily, Max and Riley livin it up in East Asia baby!)

I just have to brag on them because they play such a huge role in our marriage. What an incredible influence they've been in our lives. They are always setting a great example of the lives we want to lead, which is a life full of love, living for Jesus!

Here are some of my favorite things about living in their basement.

1. Emily's delicious baked goods. She is always baking (she's one of the one's that's helped my decision to bake bread). And she always shares her goods with us :)

2. Hearing Max play guitar above our bedroom. I mean, I love it. It's just so beautiful.

3. Getting to relive my days of "sleepovers" with Riley. I still love all that little girl stuff, and I get to relive it again. duh. love it.

4. I don't know if you know the Everswicks, but they are known to be the "near perfect" family. I mean, I hope to just take away an ounce of their amazingness.

and lastly, 5. We get to be a big part of these wonderful kid's lives, and I couldn't ask for more.

(on another note, am I an old woman for watching Monk? That show is my obsession. Anyone? Anyone at all?)

Chocolate Trifle

But first...(you are going to love me for showing this to you)

Here is one of our family's favorite. We usually make it for a dessert on Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's always a hit, it's easy as pie (pun intended), and it's extremely bad for you. What more could you want?

My Mama's Chocolate Trifle

1 pckg of chocolate fudge cake mix

1 pkg. (6 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix

1/2 cup of strong coffee

1 carton (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

6 heath bars (1.4 oz each) crushed

Directions:  Bake cake according to package directions. Cool. Prepare pudding according to package directions; set aside. Crumble cake; reserve 1/2 cup. Place half of the remaining cake crumbs in the bottom of a 4-1/2 or 5 qt trifle dish or decorative glass bowl (duh, we use the decorative glass bowl!). Layer with half coffee, half of the pudding, half of the whipped topping and half of the crushed candy bars. Repeat the layers and combine remaining crushed candy bars with reserved cake crumbs; sprinkle over top. Refrigerate 4-5 hours before serving.

Yup....  I know. Sounds delicious especially if you're craving some chocolate. Enjoy!!

trick or treat!

trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat, if you don't I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear! Does anyone remember this from their childhood? I used to sing this every halloween and I thought it was the funniest thing I'd ever heard. I hope my Kindergardener's don't discover this.

Just thought I'd share some pictures from our trip with the Waldens to Burt's Farm for the Halloween!

Paul and I and our first pumpkin!

Happy HOOlaween! 

Lemon Tilapia

Ok, I have to share this recipe. This is possibly one of the easiest things I've ever made. Ok so probably not the healthiest, but it's delicious, one of the staples in our house, and one of Paul's favorites! The only thing I don't like about it is you have to make a side. I am a big proponent of putting all my veggies and meat together for one big meal so I don't have to make sides. Anyone else??

Lisa Hatcher's Lemon Tilapia

1 lemon thinly sliced (take seeds out)

3-4 tilapia fillets

1 roll of RITZ crackers ( you know it's good now, right?)

1/2 stick of butter melted (I warned you this wasn't healthy)

salt/pepper

dried dillweed to taste

Place lemon slices at the bottom of rectanfular glass dish. Sprinkle tilapia with salt/pepper/dillweed and place on top of lemons. Sprinkle crushed Ritz on top of fish (I usually smash my Ritz in a ziploc bag). Drizzle melted butter over top. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes until fish flakes with fork.

My mouth is watering as I read this! Enjoy!!

Roasted Chicken and Pineapple Quesadilla

It's been a while. Life has been crazy with a new job and lots of sickness(I have gotten every single sickness that has gone through our classroom, apparently I have a weak immune system, any suggestions? I am currently trying to conquer a cold).

So last week, or the week before (like I said, things have been crazy) I decided to try a chicken, bbq, pineapple quesadilla. Now let me say this... I have three qualifications for my meals:

1. quick

2. healthy

3. tasty

(this doesn't seem like too much to ask? Am I right ladies?)

I loved this recipe. It's from one of my favorite blogs (click here to check her out). Emily Everswick, who I'm pretty sure has the best recipes I know, told me to try this one. We loved it! Deliciouso! Here it is..

Roasted Chicken and Pineapple Quesadilla

• Corn tortillas (you can use flour too)
• Roasted chicken, chopped
• Fresh pineapple, sliced thinly
• Jack cheese
• Barbecue sauce

Spread a bit of barbecue sauce over one tortilla then top it with roasted chicken, pineapple slices, and jack cheese. Place the other tortilla on top and place in a hot skillet and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes then carefully flip over and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for a minute before slicing. Enjoy.