Day #1

So I decided to wait a day to start the challenge, because I wanted time to think about what I was going to do. And plus last night we rented Case 39, and it didn't get over until 10:30. So here I go!

What are my hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days?
Well...
hopes - I hope that Justin and I are well on our way (financially) to our own family. Close to being in our own home (again, financially). Maybe a baby on the way. BUUUUUT There is no rush.
dreams - To travel around the country, get some personal time together before the previously mentioned family starts.
plans - Justin should be almost graduated. Close. We're planning on living with my sister and saving money. So .... planning to save money =)

That was easy.

I will never say never!

Because alas... I've caught the Bieber fever.
I took my nieces to the movie last night, which I have to admit, I wanted to see it. Madi fell asleep, but Ciera was STOKED. When we left, she was beside herself with loooooove. She's convinced that she's either going to marry Justin Bieber or Jaden Smith. =)

I was reading my cousin's blog today, and she's doing a blog challenge, which I thought was a great idea. It will give me something to write about every day, and allow me to think about things outside of my normal process. Although that process is a little backwards. Each day you write about an assigned topic. Unlike school, these are fun topics.

Day 1 - What are some of your hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days?
Day 2 - What can be found in your purse?
Day 3 - What is something that makes you feel better?
Day 4 - What is the reason that you believe that you're alive?
Day 5 - What have you learned in the past month?
Day 6 - A funny (but true) story.
Day 7 - Have you ever thought about giving up on life? When and why?
Day 8 - A picture of you and your friends.
Day 9 - Something that you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 10 - Top 10 pet peeves
Day 11 - Your favorite book
Day 12 - Someone you didn't want to let go, but drifted
Day 13 - A picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you
Day 14 - Put your ipod on shuffle, and list the top 10 songs that pop up
Day 15 - A travel story
Day 16 - Someone you'd want to switch lives with for one day
Day 17 - A hobby
Day 18 - Someone/something you could definitely live without
Day 19 - A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 20 - A favorite recipe
Day 21 - A book that changed your view on something
Day 22 - What is something that makes you different from others?
Day 23 - A child that you love
Day 24 - The best thing that you have going for you right now
Day 25 - Something that you bought recently
Day 26 - Something you have to forgive someone else for
Day 27 - A favorite quote
Day 28 - What did you do today
Day 29 - Your dream house
Day 30 - 5 things about you that not many people know

I'm excited to do this. It's always nice to think about the things and the people that have made me who I am, and about the things that I want to do in the future.

I like to eat eat eat apples and bananas!

I don't know if any of you ever listen to Brian Regan, but he has a joke about spelling banana, and adding too many na's to it... it makes me laugh.

Anyway. I feel a lot has happened in the last few weeks. Grandpa is doing awesome. He was back on the treadmil within 2 weeks of surgery, and he looks great! He showed me the scar on his chest... man alive it's huge. A little scary.

For Valentine's Day, Justin and I went to my parents cabin. We left Friday night, and came back home on Monday. We watched a lot of movies, read, Justin did homework, ate out, and one night Justin made meatloaf! It was a lot of fun. I think even Auggie had fun. I love my dog =)

Saturday afternoon, we had some friends come over and we started planning for our Ghost Towning adventure. I'm really excited. We got a lot planned out, got food figured out, and now it's just up to the people who want to come. Justin is REALLY excited. He's never really been. I have, but the problem is that we went to so many different places that they all kind of blurred together. Either way, I'll remember them now because I'll have my camera!

Grandma's birthday party was Saturday night. Our family got together, including Connie (who is serving a mission with her husband in Bolivia as temple president) and then uncle Steven from Kansas. It was kind of fun to see them all together and hear them laughing and what not. Then, once dinner was over, my grandma sat in a chair right in the front of everyone, and we all asked questions. It was a lot of fun.

We've done a few more meals since I last posted. There was a yucky gumbo, meatloaf (it was a little crumbly, but good), delicious and hard to stuff manicotti, and... I know there was more... I just can't remember. So I'll post again when I get home.

And just a little side note. The heater in the room at the school I work at... yeah, it's broken. I'm fuh-fuh-fuh-fuhreeeeezing.

And the meals continue

So we had a few days off of the meals because we fasted for grandpa, we had the Peterson family birthday dinner, and we don't cook on the weekends =)

But here are some of the meals that we've done thus far, and my personal ratings on each (since I don't know how to do stars, I'll do asterisks. 1-Bad 5-Amazing)

Pepperoni Loaf * * *

Apple Baked French Toast* * * * *

BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes* * * *

Baked Ziti* * * * *

White Bean Chili* * * * *

The pepperoni loaf, like I said, it was a-spicey! I liked it, but when we make it next time, we'll try some different spices. Maybe that will help. And maybe not pepperoni... we'll try canadian bacon.

Apple Baked French Toast-- Oh my goodness! I love breakfast for dinner, and this was almost like a dessert it was so good. Instead of dipping the bread like normal french toast, you soak it in eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt overnight! You don't cook the apples either, so they're not gross and squishy. I loved this one.

BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes - These were good, I definitely liked them, but I wanted more toppings. Instead of using sour cream we use Greek plain yogurt... it's a change that's for sure.

Baked Ziti. Aside from the fact that I forgot the meat in the microwave, then had to pour everything back out and mix the meat in.... it was really good. It was originally supposed to be layered and pretty........ oh well.

White Bean Chili- I looooooved this one. It was SO good. I normally don't dig stuff like that... but this one was fantastic! I didn't add ALL of the ingredients... like zucchini.... but it was awesome still. I also left the onions in HUGE chunks so I could pick them out later. (I'm a picky eater.)

The rest of the week we have Sliced BBQ Pork Roast, Baked Tacos, Smokey BBQ Sandwiches. I'm exciiiited!

Grandpa is doing good!

So my grandpa left the ICU yesterday at about 4:00 pm, and he's awake, talking, and doing good! Thank you all for your prayers, and happy thoughts.

As a family, we fasted from 4:00 Tuesday and were supposed to go until he either got out, or 4:00 Wednesday. Whichever you felt you should do. I was trying for the 4:00, so a full day, I lasted until about 1:30 (which his surgery was over by then) because I went on a tour of the new fire station across the street from the school...and there were cookies... and I totally forgot. I snatched one up, shoved it down my throat, and then it hit me. I WAS FASTING! So I quickly told Heavenly Father that it was an accident, and I wouldn't ever do that again. Lesson learned.

All joking aside, I'm extremely grateful for the gospel, and the power of prayer, blessings, and fasting. I'm not saying that fasting healed him, but it probably had a hand in how the big man upstairs pushed the situation. I'm grateful for my family as well. I'm just extremely grateful this week! =)