Easiest Enchiladas Ever!

I love being in the kitchen. From cooking to baking and then eating... I just love food! Being single it makes it hard to cook everyday because recipes usually make way too much and there is always leftovers... and I am not a fan of leftovers. So I don't cook as much as I would like to. Anyways... On Monday I was driving home from work and thought, I have a taste for my delicious enchiladas. I thought I would post the recipe for you all. 

 Ingredients:
2  cans of chicken
8 oz cream cheese
*cumin
*oregano
1/2 onion chopped
10-12 tortillas
1 bag of cheese
1 can of enchilada sauce (green or red)

*sprinkle in for taste

Directions:
In a frying pan put cream cheese to melt. Add in onion and chicken. I shred the chicken with a fork before sticking in the pan. Mix the cream cheese, onion, and chicken together. Sprinkle the oregano and cumin. I just guess how much I sprinkle. Add more cumin than oregano. Taste and add if more is needed.

Once the chicken mix is done remove from heat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Move to an area where you have space to spread and roll the enchiladas.

Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of a pan. This helps the enchiladas not to stick on the pan when cooking.

Next your ready to spread and roll. Spread some of the chicken mix on a tortilla. Then add some cheese and a small spoonful of sauce. Roll tortilla and place in pan. Continue till chicken mix in gone. The more chicken you add in a tortilla, the less enchiladas you will make. It makes between 10-12 enchiladas. 

Once enchiladas are rolled, pour the remaining sauce on top of the tortillas. Sprinkle bag of cheese evenly over enchiladas. Put in oven for about 20 minutes or till cheese is melted. Dish up and eat!

And there you have it Easiest Enchiladas Ever! Serve with spanish rice and beans.  

Choose a Job You Love

Last Friday I had a really cool experience in my classroom. I was showing my students my library and how to treat my books. My library is organized into bins with different topics. Each book has a number on it telling what bin it belongs in. As I was going through the bins and sharing all the topics, I came across the book, "Carl and His Box", a book I wrote in college for an assignment. I thought I would read my students this story as they would think it was cool how I am the author and illustrator. As I read the title and who the author was their eyes widened.
"Ms. Dill, you wrote this book? And you wrote the pictures?" They were so cute. "Yes", I told them. They were so amazed and so excited to hear the story. They sat there crisscross applesauce with their hands in their laps. They were ready to hear the story.
As I opened the book showing them how to turn the pages and how to treat my books with care, I turn to the dedication page. I forgot I had wrote a dedication page. As I opened to the page it read, "To My Future Students". I looked up at my group of students, I was touched. This was my first future students! They didn't even realize how much this little moment meant to me. I had written this book over a year ago and forgotten about it.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. It's the little moments that matter the most. I have only been teaching for three weeks now and there are days I feel overwhelmed with it all. But us teachers teach for those small moments. These small moment are reminders of why we become teachers. Everyday we must find the good and find a little moment that matters. When we do this life won't be so hard, but easy and enjoyable. "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Well said Confucius, well said.

Pretty Dam Good Weekend

I'm trying to play catch up with my posts. When life is good so much is happening and I just don't have time to write.
So I'm going back about a week ago... The weekend of January 23, 2015 my dad came into town. It was a filled weekend that ended way too fast. My dad flew into Las vegas Friday night. Jan, Bryan and I went to the airport to pick him up. We decided to park and meet my dad as he was coming off the escalator. As we were waiting we noticed all the chauffeurs dressed in black all holding I-pads with the client's names...so much classier than a piece of paper. Jan and I laughed because it was like a scene from Nemo. They were all like the birds, saying "mine, mine, mine". There were like twenty of them going from escalator to escalator, waiting for their clients. It was so funny! So, of course, I thought it would be fun to make my own sign for my dad, I wouldn't want him to feel left out. As I made my small sign, Jan captured the moment with taking a few pictures. And I even made a friend with one of the chauffeurs. My dad laughed as he came off the escalator and even tried to pretend he was a client for one of the other chauffeurs. You definitely have to live in the moment with my dad. It's always a fun time.

After leaving the airport we went to Jan's for some games. But all we ended up doing was talking and ended up on the couch looking up ridiculously priced houses in the Las Vegas area. I don't know if we were all so tired, but we had a ton of laughs that night.
The next day was Saturday and my dad and I had a lot to do. First and most important was getting my car registered and my state license. We woke up early and got my car ready for the DMV. After checking in the DMV, and knowing we would have to wait hours before getting in, I got to take my dad to my classroom. As we came to my classroom, my dad looked around and then walked up to me and gave me the biggest hug ever and said how much he was proud of me. Man, that meant the world to me. For me all I want is to make my parents proud. I know I couldn't have done it without them. After putting my dad to work in the classroom, we left and my dad took me shopping at Lakeshore.
If you don't know what Lakeshore is, it's like a kid in a candy shop. Lakeshore is a place to buy resources for the classroom. I have to stay away from Lakeshore or my paycheck would disappear every month. Anyways, my dad spoiled me with things for my classroom. Like puzzles, flashcards, games, etc. Literally the best thing ever. I have already used everything I got. Kindergarten is so much hands on that games and puzzles are a must! My cart definitely was full. And I believe my dad even enjoyed himself :)

After filling the cart, it was time to go to the DMV. Sad news everyone... I am official a Nevada resident. BOOOOO! California will always be in my heart! Saturday was full and it wasn't hard to fall asleep that night.
The next morning we woke up to head of the Hoover Dam and that area. Wow, the Hoover Dam was pretty DAM great! The dam jokes were being spit out left and right. It was just too easy. Headed up the mountain, we first went to a longhorn sheep park and saw two sheep. Then we went to see the overlook of Lake Mead. Continuing up the mountain we finally got the bridge that overlooks the Hoover dam. It was huge! It's incredible how they could make something so grand in the 1930s. I was amazed.

After being amazed we went to a nearby trail where old railroad tracks ran through the mountain. It was about an hour hike walking through huge tunnels in the mountains. We even tried to hold our breath through the tunnels. It is a lot harder when you are walking instead of driving through a tunnel.
Another full day was over and it was time to say my goodbyes to my dad. Looking back we can say it was a pretty dam good weekend! Can't wait for his next visit!

In Three Days

It's been two weeks now of having my own classroom and so I thought it was time to write about my experience putting it together and seeing my childhood dream come true. A week before I started, I got a phone call saying that my contract was ready and that I could come in to start getting my room ready. On January 13, 2015, I got to go in to see my room for the first time, Room 79. As I walked in, my stomach dropped and my eyes widened because I was going to have a lot of work ahead of me. My room was a disaster. They had ordered new furniture for my classroom as well as another Kindergarten teacher and it all was sitting in my room in boxes. I left that day afraid of how I would complete this task. I went to four years of college and graduated, but I was never prepared for this; setting up a classroom. How the heck would I get this all done? And I was alone.
Putting a classroom together is almost like moving into a new house. You spend about half of your time in the classroom. It is your second home. I had no clue how I would do this alone. The night before I went into see the classroom, I prayed that the Lord would some how send me someone to help me. Well, of course my prayers were answered. That day I went in to see my room, I met the person sent from the Lord. Her name is Tori and she is the other Kindergarten teacher that got hired at the school. Right away she asked if I had help. I said not really and without hesitation she was willing to help. In three days we unpacked the boxes, assembled the furniture, and put my decorations up to make it look like a real classroom.

This was the view when I first walked in. What did I get myself into?

After Day one we had boxes unpacked and a few decorations set up. It started to look more like a classroom.

Day two was mostly moving all the furniture around to make use of the space. It was like a puzzle to get all the furniture to fit. After moving the tables, chairs, bookshelves, and cabinets we started the center piece of the room... the tree! 

Day three came quickly, but all we had to do was finish the final touches. We completed the tree, put books out, and sharpened the pencils for class on Tuesday. It's incredible how fast we put my classroom together. And it turned out better than I imagined. 

Carpet time: Where our daily news and learning happens.

My growing library.

Word Wall.

Outside bulletin board with a mini apple tree. 

As we all grow up we all have dreams and wishes. I can remember always wanting to became a teacher.  Putting this classroom together meant so much to me knowing that I had accomplished one of my biggest dreams. I know this was a lifetime of preparing but....

In three days, my fear became my confidence;
My childhood dream became my reality.
And I can now say I am a teacher.

50 for 50

Today my mom turns the big FIVE ZERO! For this special birthday I thought I would write 50 reasons of why she is the best mom ever!

1. She is beautiful inside and out.
2. She is very intelligent. 
3. She loves hotdogs. We love finding hotdog places to eat a Chicago dog (minus celery salt).
4. She is spontaneous. 
5. She has a good sense of style. I have even gone into her closet before borrowing clothes and shoes.
6. She is very clean and organized. Her house is always clean. I can remember every Saturday morning was cleaning day and the house was already pretty much clean.
7. She makes a delicious tomato and cheese sandwich.
8. She always has my favorite foods at home when I come home and visit. For example she always has my favorite string cheese that isn't easy to find. 
9. She is always loyal to her friends.
10. She still tucks me into bed when I go home to visit.
11. She puts up with my craziness. 
12. She has watched Shadow for me while I was at college. (And she is allergic to cats)
13. She shops with me and tells me what looks good and what doesn't.
14. She took me to get my first pedicure when I was little. Now we go when we have the chance. Best mother/daughter relaxing time.
15. She stopped biting her fingernails, which got me to stop biting my nails. 
16. She loves and appreciates a good sunset. Anytime I see a good sunset I always think of when we were little and we would say goodnight to the sun or the egg yolk in the sky. 
17. She loves the beach. Now because of her I love going to the beach and finding sand dollars.
18. She has never given up on her dreams. Montana!
19. She holds the longest record for a plank. (I'm convinced!)
20. She always has fresh flowers in her house.
21. She is a worthy temple card holder and attends the temple as much as possible.
22. She snorts when you get her to laugh hard.
23. She has gloves in her trunk ready for any car accident.
24. She is willing to try new things.
25. She knows everyone. It doesn't matter if we are in our hometown or across the world she knows someone. 
26. Which lead to how she is friendly to everyone. She is such a people person and can have a genuine conversation with anyone.
27. She LOVES One Direction. <-- one proud daughter! It took her a few times to listening to them, but now she is converted and a 1D fan forever! (Now I just have to get her to their concert)
28. She loves candles! Ever since I was little I can remember a candle lit in the house.
29. She is an amazing traveling buddy. Road trips or long flights to another country, she knows how to have fun, even when our luggage doesn't make it.
30. She loves taking selfies.
31. She is the best grandma to Nora bug. 
32. She sends me care packages in times of need. 
33. She sings every word to TSwift... "hella good hair"
34. She drives a RAV4 in blizzard pearl.
35. She taught her children that they can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it. 
36. She has Italian kissed skin.
37. She finds the best cards. Most are from Papyrus. 
38. She really knows how to rock wearing pajamas and heels, holding a fire extinguisher while running down 20 flights of stairs. 
39. She gives the best gifts.
40. She doesn't have the word 'can't' in her vocabulary. She is definitely a doer.
41. She says her prayers every morning and night. I have never seen her miss a prayer. At the good and bad times I always find her praying.
42. She lets me lay in her bed after a long day to talk even when she is beyond tired.
43. She is a good listener. Half of the time she is probably so tired she just wants to sleep, but she still listens to me as a yap away.
44. She is a hard worker. 
45. She never misses church. Even when she is traveling she searches for a ward to attend. 
46. She is the best parallel parker I know. It only takes her once to squeeze in a tight spot.
47. She never gives up on herself or others.
48. She has the best smile.
49. She gives the best advice. Many times I have found myself needing advice and I always go to her because she knows exactly what to say. 
50. She is the strongest woman I know. She has the strongest testimony in the church and never gives up on the Lord. She is the greatest example of who I want to be someday. Everyday I pray and hope I can become as great as my mom! 

Great things are coming for my mom and I am so proud and happy to call Katie Dill my (not mother) but mom! Happy Birthday and love you lots gator! 

***Hugs and kisses across the miles! (emoji red heart, emoji smile face, emoji thumbs up, emoji blue car)*** 

Selfie With Signs

Over the winter break my bestie (mom) and I went on a road trip. First stop was Arizona. Approaching the state border, my mom had an idea to take a picture with the sign. It had been a long drive so I agreed thinking it was a great opportunity to stretch my legs. Well that first selfie with the Arizona sign started something fun for us on the road trip. After taking the first selfie with a state sign we decided to take pictures with every sign we passed. (Note: we decided to only take pictures with signs of the states we were staying in.)

So the first stop was Arizona. My mom was asked to help at a wedding to do a candy bar. She agreed to do it only if I would come with. Of course I agreed to come! Road trips are the best with my bestie. And also I got to catch up with my favorite girl that wears socks with sandals, Aubry Hiatt. It was a short trip, but way fun!

Next stop was back to California. We unpacked, did laundry, and repacked for our next place. I said my goodbyes to Shadow and the next day we were off on our next place on our trip.

After our short over night stay in Cali we were off to Utah for Christmas. All we wanted was a white Christmas and we got it. Christmas was once again magical with the white snow and being there with Nora, her second Christmas. But it felt like her first because she was old enough to open her own presents and get excited from them. The joy of seeing Christmas in a child's eyes is so magical. I loved it! The day after Christmas we did a Dill Christmas with me, Kev, Bailey, Nora, Mikey, Jen Jen, and my mom. We all went to California Pizza Kitchen and opened presents. My mom surprised us all with a Disney trip! Can't wait for that trip. It will be Nora's first time. Just like Christmas, Disneyland has some kind of magic that is best seen in kids eyes, so it will be fun to see Nora's excitement. After our Christmas celebrations were over, it was time to pack up again. 

The freezing, cold Montana was up next. Gosh, I did NOT pack right for this state. Negative degrees was too cold for me. When your nose hairs freeze, it's a sign it's too cold. With it being too cold I mostly stayed inside with Nora, playing ball, laughing, and dancing. Miss her so much! Saying our goodbyes was very hard. 

Mom and I were back in the car dancing, singing, and chatting. We were headed back to Utah for New Year's Eve and more importantly Jen Jen's birthday. We don't have a pic with the Utah sign again probably because we were having car problems and just wanted to get to Utah. A drive that was suppose to be six hours took close to ten hours. We were so exhausted, but ready to get our groove on at Jen Jen's 25th birthday party. It was retirement theme and of course my mom and I went to the DI and got the funniest clothes to look like grannys. We were Ethel (mom) and Harriet (me) for the night. The next morning (New Years Day) we headed to find a shop to fix our car. Ya, nothing was open. So we stayed another day to find a place to fix our car. The next day we woke up thinking, more hoping, it was an easy fix for our car. Well it wasn't and it was cheaper to buy a new car. So Katie Dill is now the new owner of a RAV4 in blizzard pearl... Beautiful car. I even got to drive it a little. 

After purchasing a new car, we were ready to head home. And that is where our trip come to an end for the both of us riding in the same car. And our last selfie with a sign, the Nevada sign. 

I will admit cries were shed at the last sign, but tears of happiness. I miss my bestie already! Can't wait till our next road trip!

Students that will always have a place in my heart

For my last semester at BYU-Idaho I moved to Las Vegas to do my student teaching. This student teaching experience was the best thing ever to prepare me for my own classroom. I learned many things, but the most important is to love every student that enters your classroom. The last day was a hard day saying my goodbyes. I hope I have made an impact in each of their lives, like what they have done for me. These little kiddos will always have a place in my heart. 

On the last day, the kids made me sit in the middle as they sat in a circle around me. Then they went around reading their handmade cards, cutest thing ever! Kids are just the sweetest!! I will always treasure their cards. Oh and the One Direction cup one of my students got me... they truly knew my favorite things.