These have been a staple meal since our first year of marriage. It's one of the things I knew how to cook (thanks to my Mom). Not to mention they're so easy to just throw together with a little Spanish Rice for company.

Forgive my pictures. Lately I've been slacking in the decent-photos department. I'm definitely no professional.

Ingredients:

- Six to Eight Whole Wheat tortillas
- 1 can fat free (or vegetarian) refried beans
- 1 large can or 2 small cans of Enchilada sauce (flavor, brand, spiciness of your choosing)
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (or Pepper Jack, if you'd like it to have a little kick!)
- 1 lb Ground Meat (I do suggest hamburger for these, but you could use turkey. I've even used shredded chicken!)
- Taco Seasoning
* Cilantro
* Lime
* Chopped Green Onions
*These last two are optional. They are not pictured, although I do mix them in with the beans when we're having company. Clark just isn't a huge fan of cilantro.*(

Directions:

- Preheat your oven to 350.
- Cook your ground meat and follow the directions on the taco seasoning.
*If you aren't using beef, I would suggest molding together some spices for your other meat. Such as: chili pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and maybe a little garlic!*
- Put together your enchiladas. Here's the order I do:
1. Beans
2. Cheese
3. Meat
*I shredded the cheese into the enchiladas, and cheese is something that you just put how much you want as it is, so go with your gut feeling!*


- Pour the sauce over your enchiladas. As pictured, I used two different sauces (the hubby likes the green stuff)! Then shred some extra cheese over the top. You can also sprinkle green onions over them as well.

- Cover the enchiladas with aluminum foil. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour, until the sauce is bubbling. For the last couple minutes, remove the aluminum foil so the cheese can REALLY melt.

Serve warm and enjoy! These are also great heated up the next day.

As Clark prepared to head off to Boot Camp, things got a little tricky. Preparing for my spouse to be gone for thirteen weeks would be difficult alone, but taking into account that I really wouldn't have access to him for that long (communication wise) was definitely trying on my nerves.

I wanted to spend as much time as possible with him. I think we had about ten days, maybe it was a little longer than that, in between the time he told me when he was going, and when he was going.

Clark realized (a bit late) that he was going to be gone for my birthday. He decided he wanted to take me to the zoo as an early birthday trip. The problem was the only day we could go was a required sorority function. I don't remember at this point if it was a fundraiser, meeting, or what, but it was required.

Initially I did have to work that day. So I sent e-mails to the appropriate people and was excused from the event. However, I then got out of work. I may have neglected to tell the appropriate sorority people because I wanted to go to the zoo with my husband. If I had been extra sneaky, I could have withheld the information entirely. Oh, but Facebook. I mean, how could I resist posting pictures of going to the zoo?

(March 2009)

(Elephants are my absolute favorite.)

Sorority sisters got mad. Some didn't understand why I was excused to go to the zoo with my husband and they weren't excused for other things.

This was the first thing that started the "sorority blues."

Looking back, I totally understand why many of them were upset. I was excused from an event to go have fun, and shouldn't have been an exception-- even if my husband was shipping off to bootcamp for thirteen weeks. I still think it should have been somewhat understandable, but like with many other corporations and such, there can't be special circumstances all the time simply because of your marital status (or what have you).

Next was a mixer. I had volunteered to "tap" for this big party/dance/mixer because I didn't want to at formal. The only problem was, this was the last mixer before Clark left. Suddenly I didn't want to be required to stick around ALL night just to make sure other sisters didn't get out of control with their drinking. I wanted to be home, cuddling with the hubs. So, I went, I got the low-down of what I was supposed to do... and I left early.

Technically, I was never told I had to stay all night. Technically, I never signed the paper agreeing to "tap" at a function, or what it entailed. Technically, no one cared.

So, the next day I was called to meet our VP, which happened to be one of my semi-decent friends, and was handed a letter for "J-Board" (Judicial Board). AKA, I had to meet with the pres, vp, and someone else and explain myself and possibly face consequences.

To me, it was pretty laughable. Of course, I didn't tell them that. Sisters had been "J-Boarded" for much worse than leaving a party early.

Here's the thing, though. Other sisters were not happy. After all, I wasn't living up to my sorority duties. I was fully focused on my marriage and spending time with my husband before he left. I didn't care what the sorority expected of me, I only cared about my marriage. This should be somewhat understandable, right? Maybe. I do know it was somewhat immature, and that I should have tried to balance. But, honestly, what's more important? A sorority, or a marriage?

Marriage. Duh.

So, when I met with the "J-Board", I explained that I did have to initially work but then got out of it and went to the zoo, forgetting the duty to the sorority. When it came to "tapping", I stated that I didn't have any documents that told me what I was required to do, and I'm pretty sure I never signed one. However, I offered to "tap" at formal, since Clark wasn't going to be able to be there, anyway.

That seemed to work.

The thing that bugged me the most? Technically the "J-Board" was just for the tapping, but they brought up the zoo incident as well. On top of that, apparently a fellow sister had accused Clark of using a fake ID at one of the functions he was at.

I. Was. Livid.

Clark using a fake ID meant I could get kicked out. That's not what bothered me. What bothered me is that someone actually suggested that Clark did such a thing. More than once I considered demanding who said it, but I knew they wouldn't tell me... so it didn't matter. I just couldn't believe someone in the sorority would do such a thing.

And then I thought about how much I hadn't been doing with/for the sorority... and part of me believed it. I started wondering if the sorority really was the right place for me. After all, most of the girls were interested in three things:

1. Boys
2. Getting Drunk
3. Getting Drunk with Boys

I'm not saying that all sororities are like this, at all. Or that all the girls in that sorority were, either. There just really was no structure to our sorority, and we had a severe lack of adult supervision within the Greek system as it was at my college.

What I am saying, is that the sorority wasn't starting to look as glamorous as it did to begin with to this married-young-college-student. I was realizing that it was leading me farther away from things that were important (God, my marriage, school) and trying to get me to focus on other things instead.

Today is Michael's birthday! What better way to celebrate than to ask you lovely followers to show your love and spread the word?

Yes, I became one of those parents. I entered Michael in the Gerber Generation Photo Search 2012 (Click the link to vote!). Who could pass this up when Michael could be the next Gerber baby or get a $10,000 College Life Plan?

I know it may seem silly, but please try to show your support! Post to come on all his developments on this very special day!

I admit, Clark and I are pretty awful when it comes to grocery shopping. We're those people who the cashiers know by name because we're in there five times a week.

I'll make a list. I'll make a meal plan. Yet somehow we end up always straying from what I write down.

This is how it happens.

Take, for example, I planned this:

Monday: Stuffed Peppers (no meat)
Tuesday: Chicken Lo Mein (new recipe)
Wednesday: Enchiladas
Thursday: Left Overs
Friday: Chicken Taquitos with Black Beans
Saturday: Eat Out
Sunday: Firecracker Burgers

Here's how it happens:

Monday: Rough day. Don't feel like cooking. We get Chinese (Veggie Lo Mein, no meat).
Tuesday: Enchiladas
Wednesday: Left Overs.
Thursday: Don't feel like cooking something new. Something quick from the store.
Friday: Firecracker Burgers
Saturday: Left Overs.
Sunday: Chicken Taquitos with Black Beans and Rice.

See what I mean? Within that time we'll run to the store for new stuff to eat, stuff for Michael to eat, snacks because we're craving something.

We are terrible dreadful ridiculously awful the worst when it comes to sticking to plans.

But this time we had to.

We joined a Sam's Club. I wasn't too sure about it, but my older sister really talked it up. And then I read Mrs. Healthy Ever After's post about being a budget meal beast, which included a list of key items to keep stalked. I thought, "I can totally do this."

So, I made a list to go by. We went to the store... and we were overwhelmed.

I had a list, though. I was pretty determined to stick to the guidelines of the list.

So, here's what we bought (most of it, anyway).

1. A large box of Penne Pasta.
Our favorite and easy to whip out quick and easy recipes when people were coming or when last minute I didn't REALLY feel like cooking.

2. A large container of multiple tomato sauces.
To go with the above pasta, and to have in the house for last minute easy recipes (which always seem to require tomato sauce).

3. A pack of cracker packs as well as a large box of granola bars.
To have for Clark to take to class and work as snacks.

4. A large container of Goldfish and a pack of Gerber Squeezables.
For Michael.

5. A large thing of Chicken breasts packaged per pound.
We eat a lot of chicken, and it ended up costing like $1 per pound. So, we can stick it in the freezer and pull out a pack come dinner or lunch time, even.

6. A large bag of potatoes.
While I don't normally buy potatoes, I thought they'd be easy to have for lunch or dinner if I don't completely feel like cooking. Plus, there's a lot you can do with potatoes. They're also good for when company is visiting and you need something easy yet delicious (prepared in numerous ways).

7. Fruit
While I normally don't buy fruit in bul;k because it could go by, we promised to eat some every day. This was an excellent idea because we are determined to eat a healthy snack so we didn't waste money on it.

8. Yogurt
Greek Yogurts, to be exact. I LOVE Greek Yogurt. At the store the brand I like never seems to be 10 for $10, and plus this pack was a lot cheaper.

9. Cheese
Those Bonbel mini cheese wheels? Clark and I love to have those for snacks or with lunch.

10. Bread
We always go through bread so quickly, and this way we were getting two packs that would last but not go bad. With this we also included tortillas for wraps, quesadillas, and so forth.

There you have it! Those are my top ten for "buying in bulk" at the moment. Thus far they have really proved to be worth it!

For Clark's last first day of school he requested a special dinner. Never mind that it was a busy day, I gave in. He even requested a specific dinner- something with feta, he said. He remembered seeing a pin on Pinterest about chicken wraps with feta and spinach. "But light on the spinach, please," he said.

Yes, I do have a demanding husband... every now and then, at least.

So, here it is! After some research, there really is nothing to this recipe.

Ingredients:

- 1 lb of chicken breasts, pounded and halved (through the middle... not like strips, but thin breasts... does that make sense? Look at the pictures!)
- bread crumbs
- Spinach (as much as you would like), preferably fresh
- Around 1/2 C Feta Cheese (crumbled)
- Salt & Pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced

Directions:

- Preheat your oven to 350.
- In a sauce pan, heat your olive oil and garlic over medium heat until the garlic has browned.
- Add the spinach (as much as you desire, I used about a half of a 9 oz bag) and mix until wilted. Next add your Feta, salt & pepper (go easy on the salt-- the Feta definitely makes it salty).

- Line a pan with tin foil. Lay out your prepared chicken breasts and fill them with your spinach mix. Use toothpicks to "pin" then so they are rolled, like the picture below.
- Sprinkle the chicken with bread crumbs. Make sure to roll it onto its side to get the bottom as well!

*You can roll the chicken breasts in bread crumbs but then I think it's a bit trickier than just sprinkling the breadcrumbs on top, because you may get breadcrumbs in the middle that will mess up your spinach and feta.*
- Put in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. If you have a meat thermometer, use that to make sure the chicken is cooked! (I don't own one, nor have ever used one, but I'm assuming you know how to work it if you have one!)

Eat and enjoy!

This recipe was adapted from: Food.com.

In March 2009 Clark and I were facing some rough times. I had been in a sorority for about seven months. At the time I really didn't see what it was doing to our relationship. I was investing more and more into these girls and less and less into my marriage. I mean, let's face it. I was just about 20, a sophomore in college, and was really just starting to experience life. Most people at this age aren't married, or even close to it. I think the number one reason for that is maturity.

If you're going to get married young, you need to be prepared to really grow up with the person you marry.

I digress....

So, I was investing a lot of my time and energy into the sorority. Clark was competing for my attention. Whenever I gave it to him, sorority sisters complained. Whenever I gave them attention, Clark complained.

I was torn.

Clark was feeling useless. Here I was in school, and there he was trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his part of our life. He said he wanted to take online courses. He started. Then we met with a Marine Corps recruiter and he considered going active duty, then he backed out. We met with the OSO (Officer Selection Office... I think) and he started talking about the long-term plans. He liked that idea... for a while.

Clark was impatient. He wanted the change now. He wanted to be done with school, going to The Basic School, and all that jazz. He didn't want to take all the steps that lead to the ultimate goal-- he simply wanted the ultimate goal. He wanted to accomplish something. He wanted to BE something.

I clearly wasn't showing him at this time that he was someone, especially to me. Or, if and when I did, it just wasn't enough. Ahh to be 20 and married.

Well, in March Clark decided to go talk to a recruiter again. We had been over it and over it and I told him I'd support him. While we had talked through many options, I didn't see any other than him doing something that would make him feel successful. I realized that all my "success" in school was making him feel inferior. Marriage was about compromise, communication, and sacrifice, right? Well, I was willing to do whatever it took. I knew he was restless.

Before Clark went, we knew the OSO had ratted him out to his parents. He had talked to them about what he wanted to do, and how he was restless, and they had no answers other than everything would take time. That's clearly not what Clark wanted to hear. So, he went to talk to a recruiter about his options. His dad was calling me nonstop while he was away. I ignored the calls. One was around one in the morning. I was so angry. It was our decision after all. We were our own family. Even if we were making mistakes, they were our mistakes.

I knew that one way or another, Clark was going to join the Marine Corps. I just didn't know he was going to do it right then. When I got a phone call saying it was done, that he had signed the paper work, that he was going reserves, that he'd leave for boot camp (13 weeks straight of no communication other than letters) at the end of the month... I was furious.

Anyone who talked to me at that time, or around that time, will tell you I was a disaster. I didn't know what to do. I felt like I was completely losing control of my marriage. That may sound crazy, and it may sound like we were just irresponsible kids who shouldn't have been married in the first place... but it wasn't either of those things.

It was another bump in our marriage, yes, and perhaps at the time I didn't know it was another time for God to carry me through, but it definitely was something that needed to happen to make us both stronger.

Clark came home late at night. I cried, yelled, cried, and yelled. I'm pretty sure at some point I may have thrown a thing or two as well. I just didn't know what to do.

In the end, we talked, we prayed, we called family. It was all we could do. Like with everything else, this was just the beginning of another adventure.

First of all, thank you so much to Emily for asking me to be Wife of the Month! My name is Katie, and I feel so honored to be posting here today! I blog over at Standpipe & Sprinkles, about my life as a wife to an oil rig driller, SAHM, making our builder-boring house a home, and pretty things that strike my fancy. Emily asked me to put together a budget friendly style board for her and sweet baby Michael ... Needless to say, I was thrilled to do so!

September can be such a fickle month, so I really wanted to make sure mommy and baby are both comfy! These are super simple ensembles, but they pack a stylish punch, and, in this girl's oh-so-humble opinion, are the perfect mix of pieces that can be paired with about a zillion other things, even with a limited wardrobe. Plus, we all know you can't ever go wrong with Tarjay. Hope you like!


For Mama: 1. Merona Women's Maxi Tie Waist Dress, $29.99 | 2. A classic leopard-print cardigan never goes out of style, $54.50 | 3. Oversized sunnies -- for those Indian Summer evenings, $15.50 | 4. Mossimo Supply Co. Ona Ballet Flats. For $7.49, you can't afford not to have these in your closet!

For Michael: 5. The perfect autumn tee. So soft, $13. | 6. Textured cotton shorts, with a little bit of punk rock! $18 | 7. Converse, $17.99 | 8. An organic bicycle teether toy, for the eco-hip babe, $12.

Wishing Newfangled Housewife readers the most amazing autumn adventures!

XO

Katie