Chicken Macaroni and Cheese

Lately I've been addicted to Pinterest.  I've been on the hunt for new recipes, crafts to make and ideas for our future home among many other things.  While searching for a new recipe, I came across the site for Better Homes and Gardens and some of their casserole dishes.  This one definitely intrigued me!  I did make a few changes to it, but I'll include the link to the original recipe at the bottom.  Hope you enjoy this meal as much as we did! 

4 skinless, boneless, chicken breast halves
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
Salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons grapeseed oil (or olive oil)
16 ounces penne pasta

2 teaspoons minced garlic

3 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 cups skim milk

2 1/2 cups of a mix of shredded cheddar, mozzarella and colby jack cheese

1 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese 

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet cook chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in hot oil over medium heat until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken from skillet; set aside.  **We used grapeseed oil that my friend, Teresa, sells from Wildtree. It's a great company that sells all natural food, containing no additives, preservatives, MSG or food dyes. We've used a lot more of their products and have always liked them.**

2. In a large pot cook pasta according to package directions until just tender. Drain and return pasta to pot.

3. In the same skillet you prepared the chicken in, cook garlic in 3 tablespoons hot butter over medium heat until tender. Stir in flour until well combined then add milk. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and bubbly; reduce heat. Add the shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is almost melted. Remove from heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add sauce and chicken to cooked pasta in pot; stir to coat.

Spray a casserole dish with non stick cooking spray and spoon mixture into the dish.

4.  In a small bowl stir together bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and 3 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle crumb mixture over pasta mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until crumb mixture is golden and edges are bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

We prepared roasted broccoli with the dish and sliced tomatoes.  Brian said it was a hit and took it for lunch at school today. Here is the link to the original recipe

We're Finally Home

Brian and I have grown up with the understanding that your home is where your church is. While growing up, both of our families chose where to live in Atlanta based on the churches we were called to attend. Our faith and being active in church has always been a huge part of our lives.

After moving here in May 2010, we started going to a church that was about an hour away from us. The services were good and it was connected to our church back in Atlanta. However, with his school and work schedule, it wasn't a great fit. So after about 6 months, we switched churches and tried out on about 5 minutes from our house. This church was good, but we still felt like something was missing.

Three weeks ago, Brian said he'd like to go to a service of a church we had both heard about in the Charlotte area. We hadn't heard a lot about them, just about their name. So, we did some research online and decided to try it out the next day.

After the first song, I felt like we were home. The people were so welcoming, the music was incredible and the sermon was unforgettable. We both still remember the verses that the pastor spoke about. On our car ride home, we were both so excited! We couldn't stop talking about the sermon, the people, the music, the church's involvement in the community, the married couples group we had just signed up for.

Brian then told me that he had been thinking that after he finishes school he was thinking we should move back to Atlanta. He said that was because we had not been able to find a church here we felt called to go to and that was too important not to have here. However, after leaving that service and learning about that church, he knew God was telling us to stay here and get involved here.

Since our first time going, we've joined a Bible study group, volunteered in Love Week (where over 50,000 hours were served in Charlotte to local organizations that needed assistance) and have taken friends there with us. More are coming the next time we go. We have to miss this weekend because we will be out of town and we are bummed about that.

While the other churches are all wonderful churches and we have friends that go to both, this was the right church for us. That's what I think is important; to find the church that has the same values you do, that challenges and encourages you to grow in your walk with God and one where you can get plugged into and become a part of it.

After searching for almost 20 months, it feels so comforting to know we have a church here we can call home.

Our New Church

Missing Busia

My Busia(grandma in Polish) passed away last week. She had 83 years of life here on Earth and now is up in Heaven watching over all of us. She lived those years gloriously. Living through World War II, meeting the love of her life, my Dziadzia(grandpa in Polish), raising 6 beautiful girls, watching them get married and start families of their own. She was a wife, a mother, a Busia, a great grandmother, an aunt, a sister, a mother-in-law, a best friend, a confidant, and a follower of Christ.

She was fiercely devoted to her family. She lived for us. All of my cousins have great Busia stories. From sneaking fruit roll ups out of her pantry, to sleep overs at Busia and Dziadzia's house. To Easter egg hunts and helping her in her beautiful gardens. My brother and I used to go there after school and wait for my parents to pick us up. It was a treat. We'd get to watch the Disney Channel and Busia would cook dinner for us lots of times. She was a marvelous cook.


She loved her faith. I always remember Busia praying. Saying the Rosary, praying a novena, talking to us about church. For my wedding she gave me a Rosary. She gave all of her granddaughters rosaries before we got married. My Uncle Den spoke about how she learned to turn her worries into prayers. What a lesson she taught us all.

She was glamorous. My cousin, Anna, and I were talking about how she reminded us of a movie star when we were little. She had a makeup desk in her old house. It had tons of eyeliners, eye shadows, makeup brushes, perfumes, you name it, Busia had it. Busia always had a new outfit for a fancy occasion. I remember when she picked out her dress for our wedding. She was so excited about it. She had more jewelry than anyone I know. She was always so put together.

She loved to celebrate. Every holiday, birthday and anniversary she would send a card to everyone to celebrate their special day. Family get togethers were no small fete in our family. Christmas Eve often had 60+ people to celebrate together. We'd sing Christmas carols in English and Polish, eat wonderful Polish food and really focus on the meaning of Christmas. Holidays were always special with Busia around.

Busia instilled in all of us what a family really is. Yesterday, I had the privilege of taking my Dziadzia for a walk in the gym. We talked about Busia and their life most of the time. He told me how he misses every single thing about her. How when he saw her for the first time it was love at first site. How she was his dancing partner for life. And how proud she would have been that our entire family came together to celebrate her life and her new life in Heaven. He said she always had a way of bringing our family together. She always will be able to bring our family together. Even through the tough times.

She still manages to bring us all together, from near and far to laugh, cry, eat and celebrate life. Busia will be remembered for years to come. So, even though Busia isn't here in the physical sense, her love, laughter, devotion and spirit will live on in the Jess family. After all, her and Dziadzia created it, and like the priest said, we are The Polish Kennedy's.

School Days

So, the day has finally arrived for my Chimi to start school at Nascar Technical Institute!!! This is the main reason we moved here, so we are super excited for it. God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams for this move here.

Orientation was last week and Brian is already way ahead of the game. He was the only one dressed well, he was on time and ready to learn. First week of classes started today. Which means, a 5:30am wake up call, ugh. Luckily my husband is a trooper and takes everything in stride. His schedule is crazy, wake up at 5:30, leave by 6:05, classes start at 6:30 and end at 12:45 then he goes to work from 4-10:30.

It's going to be hard and stressful on our marriage. However, it will make us prioritize what is truly important and make the most of our time together.

So, I am sitting here writing this and waiting for my little school boy to come home and tell me all about it in person. Of course I've gotten updates throughout the day and he says it was great. I'm thankful for all the calls, emails and prayers for this huge step in our lives.

Just a flash back of a fun picture I found, here is Brian in school in 1988 and starting today (he'll probably get embarassed by this, but I think he looks super cute in both pictures!). And yes, the goggles are a part of his uniform :)



Aside from school starting, we had a great weekend. All new furniture for our living room, and our sweet friend, April, was able to fly into Charlotte for all of Sunday to spend a day with us. We had a great lunch together and I just enjoyed some good quality girl time with one of my dear friends. It was wonderful to see her and I miss her dearly!

A Change Will Do You Good

We've had a more than average amount of changes in our lives this year. New house, new city, new state, new jobs, new careers, new church and so many more. With all of these things taking place, there need to be a few more. There need to be some lifestyle changes and some changes with how we spend our time.

For the past week or so, I have heard three sermons about how we spend our time and keeping negative influences out of our lives. I need to be more careful about how people influence my emotions and my daily life. I need to spend more time putting my husband before me, putting God first, focusing on myself, and creating a great life for us here.

Brian's starting school in two weeks. Which means, the reason we moved here is finally happening! This kind of scares me though. There's a lot of pressure put on Brian to excel at school, pressure mainly from himself. This is a life changing event for us. While he is in school, he will also be working full time. Which means, our time together is going to be strained. So, I need to make it a priority to put him first and make the most of our time together. Life will be stressful for the next year or so. Money will be tight. Trust in God is key.

That's where the next change needs to come in. I need to learn more to trust God and His plan for us. Trust that bills will get paid, school will exceed Brian's dreams, my job will continue to excel, and our family and friends will be supportive. This is what needs to be done in our lives, once school is done, we both believe our little family will be better off for it.

Putting more time into myself is also something I need to focus on. I need to spend more time in quietness and in prayer. Reading quality books and discovering more things I am passionate about and rediscovering the ones I have let slip. I need to surround myself with positive, uplifting people and take out the negative influences. Work on relationships that are supportive and encouraging. Also, work on my physical health. Get ready to start a family and be the best mom I can be when it is time for that to happen.

Being more focused on these three things are so important. They are essential to our lives here. Being here is sometimes hard for me, I feel lonely and miss my family and friends a lot. So, I need to make those moments with them meaningful and be around people who are supportive and loving of us. We need more friends here that can uplift us as a couple and be a support system for us here too. That's one of my major prayers here lately.

Well, that's my emotional post for the night. It's been an emotional weekend, a good weekend, a stressful and revealing weekend. With my focus more on these three things, I can't wait to see what changes will happen in our lives and marriage!

My grandparents

Since I moved away from Cleveland in 1995, I have realized how much my grandparents mean to me. I grew up living no less than 10 minutes from my mom's parents for most of my childhood. I vividly remember my brother and I go over to Busia and Dziadzia's house after school (Grandma and Grandpa in Polish). Busia would pick us up from school at St. Martin's and we would go to her house, watch the Disney Channel and eat fruit roll ups. The Dziadzia would come home from work and we would all eat dinner together until our parents picked us up. For Christmas, we have carried on their family traditions. We break traditional Polish bread and greet each other, eat wonderful Polish food, Dziadzia says the dinner prayer, Busia coordinates the procession of the baby Jesus, we sing Christmas carols, and share gifts. For Easter we would always have Easter egg hunts in their front yards, they would hide tons of eggs for us kids. I always prayed that they would be able to travel to my wedding when it came time, and two years ago they made the trip down to Georgia. My dziadzia, who is in his 80s, polka danced all night with me, his daughters and other grand daughters. Our friends are still amazed at his stamina!



Busia and Dziadzia couldn't be a more perfect couple. He is sweet, empathetic and funny. She is honest, loving and a natural caretaker. They love each other more than most couples do. They have been married for over 60 years and not a day goes by that I don't pray Brian and I have the same fortune they have. They raised 6 wonderful daughters, have 21 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and many more have married into the family. Dziadzia has a Purple Heart from World War Two. Busia was a stay at home mom, raising their daughters. Dziadzia bakes wonderful treats and homemade breads. Busia cooks fabulous meals where everyone wants the recipes.


My Dad's parents, Grandma and Grandpa, lived about 30 minutes away from us growing up. Grandpa had a stroke before I was born, but that didn't take away his sense of humor or love for the Cleveland Indians. Summer days were filled with Grandpa sitting on his big front porch listening to them on his radio. When Grandma would baby-sit us, she always would take us to McDonald's to get apple pies, a treat we didn't get often. My brother and I remember Grandma peeling potatoes at her kitchen table for every holiday. She makes the best stuffing in the world. Grandpa loved watching his grandkids and he loved laughing with us. Grandma took care of him for years, showing what it means to keep your wedding vows through sickness and in health. Grandpa passed away when I was in high school. He also fought in World War II and shared stories with us. Grandma is a country girl who grew up in West Virginia. She still tells us stories of growing up on the farm. Grandpa's family were coal miners in West Virginia.




Watching people age can be hard and sad at times. I have these remarkable, wonderful people in my life who are having to deal with life and the unfairness of it. They are becoming forgetful, getting frustrated easier, but still taking on life as it is dealt to them. While it is hard for me, I can only imagine what it's like for their children. How do you go about telling your parents they need to move somewhere safer, or they shouldn't drive anymore?



I love all of my grandparents very dearly. Moving here has been a struggle because I realize that my kids may not have what I did growing up by having family so close. But, I am beyond grateful that I did have the opportunity to have them so close to me growing up. I miss them every day and love them more all the time. I cherish my talks with them, and the silly cards my Dziadzia sends me. I love his jokes, my Busia's encouragement, and my Grandma's questions. Simply put, I love them and miss them so, so much...

The Friend Factor

The past few weeks have been great. Brian and I were invited to share in our friend's wedding in Atlanta. We felt very privileged to watch two people totally in love start their lives together. While we were in Atlanta, we were able to spend some great time with my parents, lots of friends at the wedding, and even more friends for a lunch in Buckhead. We've had some visitors, which we just love to have. Work is going well, I'm learning more and more, but still sometimes getting stuck on what seems to be so basic to others. Church is great, I really enjoy working with the class I get on Sundays. But, one thing is missing. Friends...





We've been very blessed in our lives with amazing friends, many of whom are like family to us. Unfortunately, they all live in other states, or live in NC but just are not that close to Charlotte. When I met Brian, one of the first things I learned about him was I would have to love his family and friends as much as he did if I was going to be a part of his life forever. Lucky for me, that was easy. Brian has friends as far back as elementary school. They are all married now, and even luckier for me, all of their wives are amazing. When we go to Louisville, it feels like we live there and never miss a beat. When we aren't there, both of us miss everyone. We get to visit a few times a year, and some of them are able to come and visit us throughout the year. Since I only have a brother, I always longed for a sister, some of them are just that to me.




We've shared infertility struggles, weddings, birth celebrations, birthday parties, luaus, 4 Thunders Over Louisville, vacations together, camping trips, new houses, big moves, and so much more just since I have met them.




Our friends from Atlanta are just as wonderful. While we don't have as long of a past with most, the bond is still great. I know I can call any of them up at any time and they would be there for us no matter what. We've shared so many life experiences together that we are all grateful for. Moving away from them was hard, and it put a bit of a strain on these relationships initially, but that got fixed rather quickly.



So, we have great friends all over. But, what I am missing while living in Charlotte, is having those types of friends here. We have met people, hung out with others, shared a few meals together, but I still miss our Louisville and Atlanta friends. I miss they terribly. I know things will change and as we get more involved in church, volunteering and meeting people at work it will get easier and we'll make more friendships. But, nothing will ever replace what we already cherish. Nor do we want to replace what we already share.



Since living here, we've had a good number of people come to visit, and it has been wonderful to know people want to come here to see us. September will bring around another great wedding in Atlanta. In October, we are planning a big weekend here with a group of friends to go to a race. Next February we plan on going up to Louisville for the triplets birthday party. And we could never forget Thunder in April.





While it can get easy sometimes to focus on what we don't have here in Charlotte yet, it's peaceful to know what we do have. We have wonderful friends who we cherish greatly. We've created memories, shared tears, cooked meals, planned trips, watched families grow, and learned to hold close to our hearts the people we hold dear.