We had a visit from Jessah, Britney's sister, this past week, and we all loved having her. She was so nice to let John and me get away and take a trip to the temple in Phoenix. It was SO nice to be just us! A little detour and 4 hours later (oops :) :) ), we arrived in Phoenix. We stayed at the Marriott (yay for gift cards!!!) and got take out (again, yay for gift cards!!!), and relaxed while watching a movie. We enjoyed just being us and spending some quality time together. We were able to do some temple work for some family names my mom had submitted and it was a wonderful experience! It's always hard to come back from vacation...even a small one...but after two days, it was back to work for John and for me. I sure felt rejuvenated, though, and that alone time was much needed. Thank you Jessah!!!
Our family
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tonight was Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya. It was delicious! Hope you enjoy!
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/05/chicken-and-sausage-jambalaya.html
I didn't put chicken in and used turkey sausage instead of regular sausage, and didn't put in as much cayenne pepper in as our kids don't really like things spicy. All 3 kids loved it!
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/05/chicken-and-sausage-jambalaya.html
I didn't put chicken in and used turkey sausage instead of regular sausage, and didn't put in as much cayenne pepper in as our kids don't really like things spicy. All 3 kids loved it!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Food!!!
I LOVE to cook! Yes, I do. I love trying new recipes and making my family happy at dinnertime :) Therefore, I decided to post the occasional new recipe/experiment/happy food experience on my blog. Here goes! First we start with Chicken Chimichangas. I made these tonight with a few changes:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Chimichangas-with-Sour-Cream-Sauce/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=75092551&prop26=DailyDish&prop27=2012-01-05&prop28=DailyRecipe&prop29=FullRecipe&me=1
I combined two recipes and instead of cooking the chicken in a regular pan, I cooked it in the crockpot on high for 4 hours. I used all of the ingredients listed in the recipe, plus the following:
Juice from 1 lime
1/4 packet of taco seasoning
I used about 3 T of flour to thicken up the sauce after the chicken was shredded (you can just lessen the amount of water used at first too). After 3 hours in the crockpot, I shredded the chicken, then let it simmer in the crockpot for another hour. I omitted the cheese (by accident, actually---oops ;) ) and they were still delicious, but would be good with as well. I used greek yogurt instead of sour cream for the sauce and added about 1/2 cup of milk, 1 tsp honey, a dash of chili powder, and a little bit of ranch dressing (sounds funny, I know). I didn't fry the chimichangas, but baked them in the oven at 425 for about 8-9 min. All 3 kids and John loved it and so did I. Here's to a delicious dinner! Tomorrow night is Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya...we'll see how it goes...
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Chimichangas-with-Sour-Cream-Sauce/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=75092551&prop26=DailyDish&prop27=2012-01-05&prop28=DailyRecipe&prop29=FullRecipe&me=1
I combined two recipes and instead of cooking the chicken in a regular pan, I cooked it in the crockpot on high for 4 hours. I used all of the ingredients listed in the recipe, plus the following:
Juice from 1 lime
1/4 packet of taco seasoning
I used about 3 T of flour to thicken up the sauce after the chicken was shredded (you can just lessen the amount of water used at first too). After 3 hours in the crockpot, I shredded the chicken, then let it simmer in the crockpot for another hour. I omitted the cheese (by accident, actually---oops ;) ) and they were still delicious, but would be good with as well. I used greek yogurt instead of sour cream for the sauce and added about 1/2 cup of milk, 1 tsp honey, a dash of chili powder, and a little bit of ranch dressing (sounds funny, I know). I didn't fry the chimichangas, but baked them in the oven at 425 for about 8-9 min. All 3 kids and John loved it and so did I. Here's to a delicious dinner! Tomorrow night is Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya...we'll see how it goes...
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
A few videos from the past couple of weeks...
The kids have had some fun while they've been off for Christmas vacation. Here are just a few videos of them :) Enjoy!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thankful
Today my heart is full of gratitude for the many blessings in my life. I am reminded of a song that Josh Groban sings entitled "Thankful". Here are the lyrics from the chorus:
"So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for"
As this year comes to a close, I have been reflecting on who I've become, who I will continue to become this next year and throughout my life, and how to live my life so as to bring me even closer to the Lord in order to be who He would have me be. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude comes over me as I think about how the Lord has strengthened, protected, and comforted me throughout my whole life and especially the past few years. I know it is through Him that I am where I am. I am in awe of how Heavenly Father has worked things out for my good and how I feel the assurance that He will continue to do so.
The experiences I have had have made me who I am today and I look back with gratitude for the wisdom of a loving Heavenly Father who knows me better than I know myself and who knows exactly what I need...and who provides that in His time and in His way. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for agency, the power to choose, the chance to learn and to grow and to become more like Him. I am also grateful for the wonderful friends and family who have been such a strong support for me, and who have truly been instruments in the Lord's hands.
I really believe that Heavenly Father sends people into our lives for a reason and have felt that so often in my life. A year ago today, I had no idea how much my life would change within the course of this year---I met my best friend in April, we got engaged in August, and were married for time and all eternity in September. I became an instant mom of three kids and that has been an amazing, trying, difficult, joyful, stretching, learning experience so far. Though there are days (more than I'd like to admit) when I really don't think I'm cut out to be a mom and where I'm just not sure Heavenly Father picked the right person for the job :), ultimately I know this is where I'm supposed to be and that there is much good that is and can be done. Heavenly Father knew that John was out there and guided us to each other at the right time and place for both of us, though completely unexpected. I never imagined someone so perfect for me as John and a family where I fit so well.
So, today I am grateful, as "there's so much to be thankful for".
"So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for"
As this year comes to a close, I have been reflecting on who I've become, who I will continue to become this next year and throughout my life, and how to live my life so as to bring me even closer to the Lord in order to be who He would have me be. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude comes over me as I think about how the Lord has strengthened, protected, and comforted me throughout my whole life and especially the past few years. I know it is through Him that I am where I am. I am in awe of how Heavenly Father has worked things out for my good and how I feel the assurance that He will continue to do so.
The experiences I have had have made me who I am today and I look back with gratitude for the wisdom of a loving Heavenly Father who knows me better than I know myself and who knows exactly what I need...and who provides that in His time and in His way. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for agency, the power to choose, the chance to learn and to grow and to become more like Him. I am also grateful for the wonderful friends and family who have been such a strong support for me, and who have truly been instruments in the Lord's hands.
I really believe that Heavenly Father sends people into our lives for a reason and have felt that so often in my life. A year ago today, I had no idea how much my life would change within the course of this year---I met my best friend in April, we got engaged in August, and were married for time and all eternity in September. I became an instant mom of three kids and that has been an amazing, trying, difficult, joyful, stretching, learning experience so far. Though there are days (more than I'd like to admit) when I really don't think I'm cut out to be a mom and where I'm just not sure Heavenly Father picked the right person for the job :), ultimately I know this is where I'm supposed to be and that there is much good that is and can be done. Heavenly Father knew that John was out there and guided us to each other at the right time and place for both of us, though completely unexpected. I never imagined someone so perfect for me as John and a family where I fit so well.
So, today I am grateful, as "there's so much to be thankful for".
Friday, December 16, 2011
Merry Christmas from the Winklers!!!
Here is our Christmas card and newsletter! Enjoy!!!
Dear family and friends,
We hope you are all doing well! Here is a little update on our family...
We just returned from a fabulous trip to Washington DC! We stayed with family out there and had an open house in Falls Church, VA. We were able to see several of Rachel's friends and former co-workers who John and the kids had never met. We visited a few museums and the kids had a blast playing with their cousins. It was so good to be back and I miss it, but it's also good to be home in Tucson!!
John is working hard in his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Arizona. He finishes at the end of June (yay!), and got his dream job in Denver, which will start mid-July. He is an amazing husband and father and keeps us all laughing, happy, and feeling loved.
Rachel is having adventures being an instant mom of three. Keeping busy with all there is to do as a mom and wife, and taking breaks to do those things I love. Exercise, playing the piano, naps, and Jane Austen movies have been saving graces for me :) I feel very blessed to be in this eternal family!
Jonas reads all the time and is constantly looking to learn more. He qualified for the school spelling bee and is now in the 4th grade math group along with two other 3rd graders. He is such a kind and loving big brother!!
Vera is learning to read and loving it! She is spelling and sounding out words everywhere we go. She is doing SO well at school and is full of energy and life! Vera loves to play with friends, eat ice cream, and do special time with Mom and Dad.
Anna is a little singer. She sings herself to sleep at night and "plays" on the keyboard often, singing along with the demo songs. She loves to learn and "do letters" and is actually recognizing many of the letters of the alphabet. She is a sensitive, sweet little girl and loves giving hugs and kisses.
We love you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!!
Love,
The Winkler Family
John, Rachel, Jonas, Vera, and Anna
We hope you are all doing well! Here is a little update on our family...
We just returned from a fabulous trip to Washington DC! We stayed with family out there and had an open house in Falls Church, VA. We were able to see several of Rachel's friends and former co-workers who John and the kids had never met. We visited a few museums and the kids had a blast playing with their cousins. It was so good to be back and I miss it, but it's also good to be home in Tucson!!
John is working hard in his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Arizona. He finishes at the end of June (yay!), and got his dream job in Denver, which will start mid-July. He is an amazing husband and father and keeps us all laughing, happy, and feeling loved.
Rachel is having adventures being an instant mom of three. Keeping busy with all there is to do as a mom and wife, and taking breaks to do those things I love. Exercise, playing the piano, naps, and Jane Austen movies have been saving graces for me :) I feel very blessed to be in this eternal family!
Jonas reads all the time and is constantly looking to learn more. He qualified for the school spelling bee and is now in the 4th grade math group along with two other 3rd graders. He is such a kind and loving big brother!!
Vera is learning to read and loving it! She is spelling and sounding out words everywhere we go. She is doing SO well at school and is full of energy and life! Vera loves to play with friends, eat ice cream, and do special time with Mom and Dad.
Anna is a little singer. She sings herself to sleep at night and "plays" on the keyboard often, singing along with the demo songs. She loves to learn and "do letters" and is actually recognizing many of the letters of the alphabet. She is a sensitive, sweet little girl and loves giving hugs and kisses.
We love you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!!
Love,
The Winkler Family
John, Rachel, Jonas, Vera, and Anna
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