Year Number One

It has already been a whole year since I married my best friend. It feels like only a few months to me though.

We were married on March 13th, 2010, in Pocola OK. The tiny little town I grew up in. At Trinity Baptist Church. Our wedding was simple. Not everything went as planned. I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to decorate, I didn't finish the wedding favors (which would have been daisy seeds with a cute little poem attached), I lost my mascara, I forgot to put out the guest sign in book, there were family members missing from the pictures, Only half of the music got played during the reception, and the only cake I got was the piece Ryan put in my mouth. But I look back on all of this and laugh and I laughed about it then to. All of these things were not what I cared about on that day.

It was really important to us to focus on what we were there for. It wasn't to impress people with all the small details of flowers, cake, and entertainment. It was to pronounce our love for one another to God, our loved ones, and each other. The most important part of the day was the promise we made to each other that we would be together forever.

Sitting here a year later and counting my blessings I am so happy. I have the best husband I could ever dream of having, I have wonderful in-laws and family whom I love very much, I have a loving home to be at every day, and the most beautiful happy baby in the whole world!

This past year has been the best one of my life. So much has happened in our lives in such a short amount of time. All wonderful things!
I so look forward to the many many years to come with my amazing man!

Love always,
Jessica Hatcher

Brown Sugar Meatloaf

I have been slacking this week. At least in the blog area; it has been very busy around here! Friday my dear old Daddy was in town to pick up my brother. He brought two of my little brothers with him; Jacob and Jared. I cooked :)

I really get so much pleasure out of feeding people. We had mashed potatoes, broccoli, biscuits, and meatloaf.

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 3/4 cup crushed saltine crackers, 10 crackers

Instructions:

- heat oven to 350 degrees, grease 5X9 loaf pan (I used a 7X11 and didn't need to grease it)
- press brown sugar into bottom of pan, spread with ketchup
- mix all remaining ingredients, shape into loaf (I mixed with a rubber spoonula so I didn't have to get my hands in the mixture)
- place loaf on top of ketchup (also did not shape into loaf, just spooned it into pan and spread out with spoon)
- bake for 1 hour

I don't have any pictures of my actual loaf

Everyone loved it! Except for Josh who is apparently freaked out by ketchup. I was surprised at how good it was. It was easy to make but takes a long time to cook. I like this recipe because the ketchup isn't overwhelming. I will probably be making this again.

Love,
Jessica