My baby is 16!

Sorry I am a few days late posting this - On Wed., my BABY K, turned 16, she is days from getting her license (just needs to complete a few more accompanied drives under the State Farm "Steer Clear" program) and everyday I am reminded that that day I am one day closer to her leaving home. I am so proud of her and her aspirations, she is quite a young lady with very big dreams. She loves kids, and loves babysitting and is hoping that she'll get more calls now that she can drive. I can't believe that she is 16!

Some things you may not know about my K. She was born in England, in a British hospital. We were due to transfer to our next duty station on 2/3 and it can take 8 - 12 weeks to get a passport so on the way home from the hospital at a mere 6 hours old we took our beautiful baby girl for her first passport picture and then the wait began. Long story short we got her passport the morning we were to catch our flight back stateside - I really thought she & I were going to get a "girls vacation" while we sent the boys on their way - it was scary! Because of the military and a few other job changes for Daddy, K has lived in England and 5 states in the US and has moved 10 times in her 16 years.

K, is VERY smart, sometimes too much so for her own good! She is usually a straight A student, has high SAT/ACT scores, is in the Duke University talent pool, Honor Society and was in the gifted/talented program since she was old enough to be involved.

K wakes with a smile on her face, cheer in her voice and rarely has a bad thing to say about anyone - you really now that someone has pushed the limit - if she is mean to anyone or says anything mean about them.

She is having a party tomorrow night and my house will be overrun with teens for a movie/game night to help her celebrate this hallmark in her life.

K, if you read this, I love you so very much and there is so much I wanted to write about you - I could have written a small book and as it is wrote & deleted several times just to get down what is here. Happy birthday my lil one! Mom loves you!

Sadness... Happiness + recipes!

I have had both feelings the past few days - let me explain -

Sadness-

I had been trying to get ahold of my aunt and uncle in CA for the past few days and then yesterday I got an email I had been had been hoping not to get - my aunt and uncle lost their home in the Sylmar, CA wildfire. They lived in the mobile home park that was virtually obliterated by the fires. They had only lived there for a year - ironic as it is they are staying with friends in the house across the street from the house they sold to move to the mobile home park - both houses on each side of their old house sustained extensive damage but their old house has none! They aren't sure what they are going to do at this point but I'm sure Doug & Jodene Finch would appreciate the added prayers on their behalf - they left home with only their 2dogs and one nights worth of clothing!

Happiness-

I got a call from my brother this morning - he and my sil are expecting a new baby - little Wyatt will be 1 in January and baby 2 is due in February. Anyhow, baby 2 is a healthy little BOY according to the ultrasound and though sil does have gestational diabetes again this pregnancy all is going well currently. She is considered high risk and they are having some problems getting command to understand she shouldn't move while pregnant, let alone fly being 8 months pregnant. Such a relief that all appears well after all they went through with Wyatt. I need to scan Wyatt's pictures and post them on here for you all to see the cutie!

Anyway, we have been having been having some REALLY yummy OAMC recipes the last week or so and I know I am behind a bit so here are 2 to make up for it!

Sloppy Joe Casserole - serves 6

8 oz. salad shell macaroni
1 packet sloppy joe mix
1 1/4 C. cooked ground beef (we used ground turkey)
8 oz. tomato sauce
6 oz. tomato paste
1 C. water
16 oz. cottage cheese
1 C. cheddar cheese, shredded

Cook macaroni half the recommended time; drain. Combine seasoning mix, cooked ground meat, tomato sauce, tomato paste and water. Spray a 2 1/2 qt. casserole or 8 x 8 inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray. Layer half macaroni, half cottage cheese and half meat sauce; repeat layers. Top with shredded cheddar. Wrap dish in foil, label and freeze or combine pasta and meat sauce and put into labelad ziploc and freeze and keep the cheeses on hand to layer the casserole just before baking.

To serve: Thaw, layer casserole if necessary and bake uncovered for 40 - 50 minutes at 350 degrees or place frozen casserole in oven and bake 1 hour and 20 minutes!

Ham & Potato Casserole - serves 8

2 pounds frozen hash brown cubes
1 can cream of celery soup
2 T. butter or margarine, melted
16 oz. sour cream
2 C. cubed ham
1/2 t. pepper
1/3 C. green onion, chopped
1 C. cheddar cheese, shredded
2 C. crushed cornflakes
1/4 C. butter or margarine, melted

Combine first 8 ingredients and mix well. Place mixture in 9 x 13 pan, two 8 x 8 pans or labeled 1 gal. freezer bag. Combine cornflake crumbs and butter or margarine. Sprinkle over top of pans or place in separate freezer bag. If I do the ziplocs I place the bags in a larger UNLABELED bag to create a "kit" to make sure the bags don't get separated in the freezer. I don't label the larger bag so that I can reuse it again for the next "kit" Cover casserole tightly with foil or freezer wrap. Seal bags well, squeezing out excess air. Label and freeze.

To serve: Thaw completely. If necessary sprinkle with cornflake topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Frozen casserole may be baked for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees.

NOTE: this recipe says it will serve 8 but it really bakes down and I personally think a 9 x 13 really only serves 6 but that is purely my opionion - my advice is to try it once in a 9 x 13 and have lunch leftovers the next day! Also, I used fat free sour cream and low fat cheddar and omitted the 2 T. butter since I am trying to lose weight and every calorie counts!

Enjoy!

P.S. Dana - remind me to give you the Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses I have been saving for you! I have been carrying them in my purse and fighting the temptation to eat them!

Chicken & Rice dinner

Sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday - I don't know where my brain was - wait, yes I do, dog tired was where it was - I woke up at 2:30 again, dozed off and on a bit until 3:15, woke again, couldn't get back to sleep, went to living room watched a TIVO'd recording of House, went back to bed about 4:15, finally fell back to sleep until the alarm went off at 5! Wish I could say this was a new occurance but I think I'm going to have to up the dosage of my sleep meds!

Anyhoo,

Chicken and Rice Dinner

1 can cream of.... your preference
1 cup raw white rice
1 cup water
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 pound BSCB (boneless, skinless chicken breast)

I put the first 4 ingredients into a gallon sized ziploc, seal it leaving a bit of air in bag, and shake the dickens out of the bag, mushing around the soup to dissolve. Drop chicken into bag, press out as much air as possible, seal, label and freeze. When ready to cook, thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 - 2 hours - cook until chicken is cooked through.

Well, off to bed I go! Good night!

Cooler Weather Freezer Meal

Well, it looks like the cooler weather is getting here quickly so I thought I would provide a soup recipe. I usually replace the cheddar cheese soup with the cheddar cheese sauce that you can get at either Sam's or Costco which I divide down into 12 oz. portions and freeze them, then when I need them just put them in the refrigerator, thaw and use.

Broccoli-Cheddar Chowder - 6 servings

1 1/2 cups milk
11 oz. cheddar cheese soup (or use the entire 12 oz. cheese sauce I mentioned above.)
1 cup frozen loose packed broccoli
1/2 cup frozen loose packed hash brown potatoes
1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento

In a medium saucepan, stir together milk and soup. Cook and stir over medium heat till bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients; cool. Pour mixture into a 1 qt. freezer container. Seal, label and freeze.

To serve, transfer frozen mixture to a large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 40 - 45 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Other than that there is nothing new going on around here - hope to see you all Friday if not sooner!

Freezer Meals

So, I know that sometime ago I promised to post freezer meals on Mondays - and then after just a few recipes that faded away - I apologize. I know today is Tuesday BUT I DID pull the recipe from my files on Monday! I LOVE these dump chicken recipes as they are so quick and easy and makes you feel like you accomplished something so quickly. You can use either fresh or IQF (individually quick frozen) in these recipes as the chicken marinates as it thaws. Just mix the recipe in a LABELED gallon sized ziploc, toss in the needed amount of chicken, squeeze out as much air as possible, seal and throw it in the freezer. It is wonderful cooked either on the grill or in the oven. We have used many different flavors of jam and have yet to fine a combination that we haven't liked.

DUMP BBQ JELLY CHICKEN
3/4 c Ketchup
3/4 c Blackberry, strawberry,-peach or apricot Jam
1/8 c White Vinegar
1 tsp. Worcestershire
2 tsp. Chili Powder
1/8 tsp. Salt

Where'd the week go?

The trip to Portland had an eventful start to say the least - cancelled flight, going from 2 stops to 3 wih little to no layovers that had us running from gate to gate, and my aunt who I was looking so forward to seeing ending up in the ER for a seizure! We did at least get to see them for a quick dinner the following evening without most of the cousins there and one hiding in her bedroom for some reason.

We had awesome training sessions that left us feeling even more impressed with the business we are getting up and running and enjoyed the company of some incredible people - for those of you who are sports fans or have sport fan hubbies - one of the couples speaking to us was Tracey & Kimberly Eaton (Tracey played in the NFL for Houston Oilers & Atlanta Falcons) who was able to retire at age 38 by being leaders through our business and the Goads (www.thegoads.com) sang to the crowd several times. All in all we had a blast and are glad we went.

Made it home mid-day Monday and then resumed my care of the G's kiddos! We went to Constitution Village, played on the trampoline in the rain, visited Chuck E. Cheese and ended the week with a trip to the Nashville Zoo!

Hope you all had great fall breaks and can't wait to see/hear/read about them real soon!

Off to finish catching up on laundry, house cleaning and all the fun stuff I didn't attend to this week.

Do you ever wonder... plus some (long musings)

...just who reads your blog? I mean I know I'm not great at keeping up with my posting and sometimes it isn't all that interesting but it is my life such as it is - day by day. Somedays I just want to hang up my blogging hat and call it a day and delete the whole blasted thing. I frequent several blogs - most are listed on my blog page and then there are a few that aren't listed there as requested by the blog creator. I have noticed on some blogs that the person could say they sneezed and they would get a dozen "bless yous" before the day is out - my blog - not so much.

Some days you just really need a friend - today was one of those days - lets just say that before I even made it out the door today I had several tearfilled moments that left me incapacitated and gasping for breath. I thought I had it all under control and headed out the door to play with the "G" kiddos for the day - walked in the door there and "S" asked the same sweet question she has everyday for weeks now - and much to my dismay that was all it took - I was a basketcase - the tears started flowing - I would have loved to have had a great big hug but I think "S" was a little shocked at the whole thing - so I picked up little "S" and hugged the daylights out of him! Then as the day progressed I berated myself for letting things get to me the way they do, wearing my feelings on my shirtsleeves the way I do and being so soft-hearted and easily hurt - now some of you wouldn't think that is me - however, my defense mechanism is to be loud, often obnoxiously so, I'm quite good at voicing my opinions and ... being lonely.

I know I have not been quiet in my letting most of you know how miserable and lonely I am - I hear about people getting together all the time - any invitations our way? Nope. People getting together for holidays - yep, they are and do - invitations our way? Nope, not a one. I feel so sorry for my loving husband who works so hard for our family, and is such a friendlyguy and for my kiddos - when we don't get invited to do things - and then feel guilty for all the missed opportunities they have - knowing all the while that it is my fault. I've tried so hard to be friends with certain people - hoping that some of their "attitudes" will rub off on me to no avail.

Anyway, as you can probably tell - my mood hasn't improved much and now I am tired on top of it all and 5:15 comes awful early in the morning so I am going to say goodnight and take my pity partying self to bed but before I do - I want to take a moment and thank my friends for caring for me (whether you post or not) - sometimes it just helps to state the facts and sometimes it helps to share the facts with friends.

My Dad

Today was a pretty hard day for me. It is the 5 year anniversary of my Dad's passing. There is a huge story here - suffice it to say that a fairly routine surgery had some MAJOR complications . I was executor of EVERYTHING and made the hardest decision any child could - to say goodbye amd discontinue life support. I stayed with my Dad until the very last minute, holding his hand and letting him know he was loved, telling him it was okay to go, they said it was just his body letting go - but I saw the tear roll down his cheek, felt him squeeze my hand and heard his last breath - everyone else had gone - no one else could stand to see him go but I couldn't leave him alone - not even my brother stayed (who we got home just hours earlier on emergency leave from Guam).

My dad was a wonderful man who taught me many things - strange things that most young girls don't know - how to lay plumbing lines for sprinkler systems, how to plumb a fence post and how to cut and lay ceramic tile just to name a few. He didn't often say I love you and had a gruff attitude with a teddy bear heart. He was loved by many - I didn't know how many until the service - we opted for a smaller room at the funeral home - and it was standing room only - they opened the windows and a partition wall and there were still others standing in doorways - it was a truly humbling experience - the love that was shown to my brother and myself.

So, in this, I say goodbye again - to my wonderful father with hope that in time the 19th of July will become easier to deal with and not quite so painful and a continued prayer in my heart that he knew just how much I loved him and that Heavenly Father will help to ease the burden my heart and head feels as I continue to struggle with my loss.

It Happened!

Katie passed her drivers ed class yesterday and so any day now she should get her "pass" allowing her to get her license in December without having to take the road test again. I do have to say that she is a pretty good driver, is feeling a little more sure of herself and tries to do the speed limit, I don't "white knuckle" the Brownsferry curve when she takes it going in either direction but will admit that there are a few areas that she still needs work on but by the time December rolls around she should definitely be ready to go out on short little jaunts by herself. I can't believe my "baby" can get her full fledged, escape from Mom license in a few short months.

Can you believe?

Today was a harsh reality day - with the end of the school year being today I realized a few things -

1) my baby is now a highschooler, goodbye Liberty MS and hello BJHS before I know it she will be off to BYU! The days of "mom, can you take me to ??? ... are quickly on their way out the door since she is taking drivers ed during summer school and will soon be wanting a car of her own or carnapping mine all the time. We are closer to dating age now (not that age has stopped her from having a boyfriend - though I do think she HAS chosen well if she MUST have a boyfriend!)

2) and that on Sunday my Drew will be 21! Can you believe I have a 21 year old son? Some days I feel like I am still 21 (not today though, today I feel 85ish, makes me wonder what 85 WILL feel like?!?) He bought his own car, pays the insurance, puts gas in it, needs to get an oil change and brake check on it, recently shaved, has decided NO mission :-( though is considering more college classes and is bartering with me on whether or not he should pay rent and how much said rent should be!

3) that try as I might - I will NEVER feel organized in this house! Try as I may, purge as I might, rearrange things, whether physically or mentally, and pray constantly for inspiration - am highly doubtful this house will ever come together as I dreamed! Last weekend we borrowed D's husband S. to help put the new pantry doors in (why in the world our builder put a 24" door on a 5.5 foot pantry is beyond me - to reach either side I had to reach in up to my armpits!) Now I need to get D or S (not D's hubby), or anyone else willing to take on the job to come over and give me ideas on how to perk up my pathetically drab house and turn it into a home.

And the winner is...

So, ever wake up knowing that today is going to be one of those days?!?!?! That's how my morning started - waking up at 6:25 when we are supposed to leave for seminary at 6:15! Thought I was doing good to get back on track, dinner in the crock pot, HEALTHY lunch almost on the stove - just needed to add the chicken broth - sent Drew to the garage for the broth - while he was gone decided to start cleaning up the food processor - see where this is headed? Base wiped down - check. Bowl wiped down - check. Shredder blade meet thumb - UH OH! So here I sit, 3 1/2 hours later, 3 stitches and a huge bandage later. We did take pics for a possible scrapbook page of the cut after it was cleaned and the stitches. To add insult to injury I had to get a tetnus shot too!

Anyway, enough hunt and peck typing! Hope everyone else is having a good day!

Chicken Taco Rice from Bloggers lunch

Here is the recipe from the bloggers lunch. We had a great time but missed those of you who couldn't make it.

Chicken Taco Rice

2 C. cooked chicken, shredded
3 C. chicken broth
8 oz. tomato sauce
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 1/2 C. brown rice, uncooked
3 green onion, sliced using white and green portions

Mix everything together in large saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer until rice is done, 45 - 50 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork incorporating in the sliced green onion.

To freeze: Allow mixture to cool. Place in appropriate sized Ziploc. Seal, label and freeze.

To serve: Thaw in refrigerator. Reheat in microwave until warm or reheat in saucepan adding a little water to keep moist.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, tortillas, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, hot sauce, etc.

I add an additional sliced green onion to the top as garnish.

We often times skip the chips or tortillas as the rice provides enough carbs but will say that it makes a great "wrap" that I have wrapped in wax paper and cut in half diagonally and then wrapped in plastic wrap and thrown into the kids lunches - something different from sandwiches.

My New Kids

Here are some pictures of my babies! The little black one is Bear and the cream one is Sugar. The basket was supposed to hold their toys (and the cat toys which they have taken over!) but apparently the basket made a better bed! Anywayz, Bear weighed 2 pound 6 oz. at his first visit to the vet and at this weeks visit he weighed 4 pound even. Sugar weighed 2 pound 7 oz. on her first visit and at this weeks visit she weighed 4 pound 6.5 oz. The vet estimates that they should weigh 10 - 12 pounds full grown. We are working on leash training and will start puppy training classes soon. We have bells tied to the back door which they are getting really good at jingling when they want/need to go out though we still have occasional accidents! We were concerned about how the cats would do with them - Midnight hides from them in our bedroom - Pixie plays with them some, smacks them when she's had enough and puts them in their place other times for unknown reasons. She has even been seen giving them "baths" every now and again - but by the time I get the camera she is done!

Meet Wyatt & Sara

While trying to make sure I understood how to do the whole picture thing (since I want to send pictures of my puppies and my recent OAMC session) - I thought I would take a minute and introduce you to my cutie pie nephew Wyatt (and his mom - Sara!). For those of you who like baby facts - Wyatt was born at 10:32 a.m. Saturday December 29th. He weighed 6 pounds 2.5 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.

I cannot tell you how blessed we are that he is HEALTHY - his poor mom had a hard pregnancy (diabetes & pre-eclampsia) and during the testing his spina bifida testing came back abnormal - the doctor really tried to convince them to abort but since Jeff (my brother) and Sara had already miscarried one little one - they decided they were blessed to have even made it to the testing phase and would take whatever Heavenly Father dealt them.

Can I just tell you I can't wait to get my hands on him! Right now they are stationed in Hawaii - and I can't afford to fly over there and stay in a hotel etc. (my brother Jeff is a smoker so I won't stay with them!) so I have to wait until they come back to the mainland!

Anyway, thanks for being so patient with my hectic lifestyle and sporadic postings!