Everything happens for a reason

When we decided that we were going to get married, we knew it was right.

When we decided to drop out of school and move to Texas without jobs... we knew it was right.

When we decided to move BACK to Utah with no place to live and a one part time job, we knew it was right.

We lived in a hotel for a week in Utah, but then found an amazing place, it worked out perfectly.

We were not accepted into BYU, and I did not have a job. We hoped that I would get a job at the Credit Union Pat works for. But for 2 long months, things were up in the air. It was really stressful, but we knew that we moved out here for a reason. Just as I was starting to lose hope, everything started to fall into place.

I got a call from America First to come in and Interview, then we got an e-mail from BYU...

Everything worked out. We BOTH got back into BYU. I got a job at America First working in the American Fork Branch! AND we qualify for federal aid.

Even when things seem bleak and you have no idea how it will workout. I firmly believe that if you follow the spirit everything will work out!!

So, Patrick and I will be going to school in the Spring, and both working part time. Funny, we actually have the SAME job, just at different locations!

Valentines Day

For Valentines Day, Patrick and I decided to have a stay at home date. So we got our fondue out and had a three course fondue meal and watched a movie. It was really nice to just be with each other. The more time I spend with him,the more I fall in love with him.

Here is our cheese fondue with pumpernickle bread, apples and baguetts. SO yummy!

Our main meal was beef, chicken, and shrimp with dipping sauce

Dessert Chocolate fondue with all the yummy fixin's- I LOVED the cinnamon bears!

Thank you Sierra for the fondue!! Ever since Patrick "fondued" me on our first date, It has become a tradition of ours!!

Grrr

I need a job, BAD. I have officially applied to about 115 jobs, and still haven't had any luck. It is getting ridiculous ! If you know of anyone hiring in Provo Utah LET ME KNOW!!!!

K, Thanks! :)

Macaroni Grill

If you want a nice dinner out, but would rather not spend $30 on a dinner, Make this Chicken Tetrazzini, It is the same quality as anything you would get at a restaurant, and it makes enough for about 6 people. Wonderful dinner!!!

SuperBowl Party!

Well, the Colts didn't win, But we still had FUN!

We made some amazingly good hamburgers, and Muddy buddies (puppy chow). And everyone else brought something, Guacamole, chips, and salad. It's a good thing we had a lot of food because we had about 15 people over!

YAY Patrick is SO happy that Alex and Tara came... and brought some YUMMMMY Guacamole!

Michael and Aubrey Rooting for the Colts

Yummy food!

You can't see us all, but there were 15 of us there. It was so much fun!

Thomas and Chelsea- I wonder who he is rooting for???

COLTS!!! ( So they lost, we still love them)

Patrick was out in the back grillin' and I was of course in charge of the dessert- MUDDY BUDDIES!!!

All in all, it was a great day. And to top it off we got 5 GALLONS of Blue Bell in out freezer!!! YUMMY!

WOW

I though I knew how to cook, you know boil some chicken here, stick it in a frying pan there, cook it and eat it. it's food it doesn't have to taste great, right??

WRONG

Oh my, So i have been researching REAL recipes to try out, ones where you use spices I can't even pronounce or fruits and vegetables i don't even know WHAT they are... seriously what is a shallot??

BUT, I have found some amazing recipes.

First I tried out Chicken Parmesan, I made HOMEMADE marinara sauce. It is AMAZING. you take a bite and it is an EXPLOSION of flavor. And even after you have swallowed, the after taste is almost as good as the food itself. Click HERE for the recipe!!

So, as I learn to use these new recipes I will keep the feeding Patrick blog updated with the food recipes and what I tough of them.

Tonight I made chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Chile Salsa. And WOW I would seriously have to give it 5 stars. It was amazing I have never gone to a RESTAURANT, and had something this good. It is a little on the spicy side, so if you can't handle the heat take the seeds out of the jalepenos!

Took about 2 hours to make and 10 minutes to devour!

Seriously, if you think you are only and OK Cook, try out some of these recipes, and EVERYONE, even yourself will be impressed!!

HAPPY VALLEY

So, it's been a while... sorry!

We are here in Utah and LOVING it! We found an amazing townhouse, and it is so nice to have my own place-One that we know we are staying at for a while. I can finally make my house into a home and put pictures up and decorate. I love it! Patrick is working at America First and loving it. I am still looking for a job. I have had a couple of interviews, but no luck. So I am hoping to find a job soon. Cross your fingers for me!

It's so nice being here in Utah where we are close to my family, and friends. We absolutely love having company.

Tonight we are having a LOST night, and of course, Pina coladas will be included!! I have waited patiently for a year, and tonight it finally begins. So I am pretty freaking excited. We just re-watched the entire series again, and just finished last night. So, we are prepped and ready for the new season!!! It's the last season- I sure hope they answer a LOT of questions!!!

So I have decided that I am going to start school in the Spring. I am not sure whether I will be going to BYU or not, But I have decided that I will go to UVU if I cant get back into BYU until next winter semester. So that is very exciting. I am planning to go today to figure out just exactly how many credits I have left. I am going to be getting an English degree, hopefully soon!!

I'll try to keep this updated more. But for the most part Patrick and I are doing wonderful. We feel so much better here. I am not sure if we have allergies, or maybe it was the humidity in Texas. But here in Utah we just feel better!

We didn't have a typical first year of marriage, and this year seems like it is going to be more of a "first year" experience, hopefully it will be a good one!

Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again, where we stuff our faces... and look like turkeys. I can't believe that it has already been a year since I came down here to meet the family!

Turkey Day started out with The Turkey Bowl of course!

Patrick catching the pass he ran for a touchdown!

Me trying to steal a kiss duing the game! :)

Love the Turkey Bowl.. I don't get to play because I am a girl, But thats ok I was hanging out with the wives/ girlfriends of the boys. There were about 50 people there so they had 3 games going on at a time. And Patrick would want me to mention that he won against Lewis.

Then we headed on home to make the appetizers- that was our job this year. So we made "pigletts in a blanket" and 7 layer dip. It was a hit, if I might say so myself!




And then the boys got to work on the Turkey. Brother Downs came and brought his Fryer. And we fried 2 turkeys, it was so delicious!

The men watching the Turkey cook

This was the first time I met Grandpa Hinckley. While we were engaged, we tried 4 different times to get up there, but it snowed each time. So it was very nice to get to sit down and talk to him!!

With Grandpa here, we had four generations of Hinckleys!

It was a great Thanksgiving, with family and friends, and a Cowboys win!