Here's To You

Today is a pretty special day. 

Six years ago today I married the love of my life.  Little did I know that December 17^th, 2005 would be the start of an amazing, challenging, eye-opening, challenging, encouraging, and yep you guessed it…challenging piece in the puzzle of my God-given life.  It hasn’t been easy.  It hasn’t been perfect.  It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.  A question from a book that I read on marriage has stuck with me since the day I read it: “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?”  **Cue “deer in the headlights” facial expression.**

Once in awhile, Nate and I realize the situation we got ourselves into and recognize the craziness of it all.  Six years of marriage, three years of dating, and one stinkin cute kiddo later, we never had any inkling of this happening 15 years ago.  We knew each other long before we started dating.  We were awkward 7^th graders when we first met.  Both of us would say if we had dated each other in high school, there’s no way in heck we would've lasted.  So we usually thank God for his grace that allowed us to not let our hormones get the best of us ;-) Although, that would’ve been a sight to see…a punky, I’m-too-cool-for-school guy and an insecure, so-what-if-I-pretend-to-be-someone-I’m-not girl.  Um yeah, if you’d like a visual of this description you should see the pictures from our junior year prom that we apathetically attended together.   

**You might want to get your barf bags ready, because I’m gonna get pretty mushy in a second.**

I am grateful that 10 years ago, Nate started to boldly pursue me.  I’m grateful that he kept pursuing me after I shot him down when he first asked me out.

I’m grateful that Nate is the optimistic one in the relationship.  He’s usually the one to put my Debbie-downer attitude in check.

I’m grateful that through major life changes, Nate has led with a love that screams “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

I’m grateful that in my post-partum manic depressive emotional state, Nate continued to love and care for me, despite my ugliness. 

I love this man that God has given me.  We are perfect for each other.  My weaknesses are usually his strengths, and my strengths are usually his weaknesses.  Through Nate, God has shown me so much of myself…the good parts and the ugly parts.  The parts of myself that I’d rather not see, but God chooses to use it to make me more like Him.  I love that over the years we have learned to communicate better, love each other better, and challenge each other more.  I am thankful for Nate’s hard-working nature that provides for me and Livi.

So, everybody raise your glasses…

Here’s to you my one and only love of my life, Nate Miller.  Until death do us part!

And now for a few choice photos from our wedding day six years ago:

Soups On!

So since my blogging has been a little scant lately, I gave myself the goal this week to post two blog entries by the end of the week.  After being on such a hiatus, two blog entries in one week is quite the challenge for me.  I decided I’m going to start working toward my goal by posting the “easier” of the two entries, because, let’s be honest here…I’d much rather spend some time on Facebook or Pinterest.

Speaking of Pinterest…

Pinterest is good for a lot of things (and not good for a lot of other things…such as, it’s a major time waster and I have to really guard myself from getting into major comparison mode).  I’ve gleaned some choice nuggets from many a pin, and it rouses my creativity juices big time.  Since being active on Pinterest, I have found it to be so helpful with my meal planning!  There is a wealth of foodie ideas that motivate me to get out of my same-old-same-old dinnertime rut.

We’re headed into the deep, dark, cold months of winter, and I have been on a soup kick lately.  I love soups!  They’re WAY easy to make, and generally they have a majority of the food groups in them so that means less dinner prep for me!  WOO HOO! 

I’ve been in the market to find a White Chicken Chili recipe that is both easy and flavorful.  I found this soupalicious gem the other week during my Pinterest perusal.    

Now that I have your mouth watering, here’s the recipe.  Props to the original poster can be found by clicking HERE.  Enjoy!

White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cups cooked chicken (I usually use an oven-baked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save on time), shredded
• 2 cans Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can (4 ounces) green chilies
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 box (32 ounces) chicken broth
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• 1 lime, juice

Directions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onion and cook until it starts to become translucent.
2. Once the onion is done, add shreds of chicken, Great Northern Beans, corn, green chilies (with juice from can), cumin and oregano to the large pot. Stir to combine all of the ingredients and then add the chicken broth.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow the broth to reduce. Add salt and pepper (to taste) and juice from one whole lime. (You can add 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro if you desire. I personally don't like cilantro so I serve it as a side.)
4. Leave simmering on stove until ready to serve.
5. Serve with sour cream, chopped cilantro, shredded Pepper Jack cheese, avocado, or tortilla chips.