Dog days of summer

I don't know about where you are, but it is so incredibly hot here.  Like the kind of heat where the breeze when you ride the windows down does not even provide relief.  Like the kind of heat where the air conditioner (thank you Jesus for air conditioners) can't keep up.  Like the kind of heat where the swimming pool is even hot.  I know people are tired of hearing about heat, but it is dangerously hot with no rain and no relief in sight.  Thankfully, our Lord has a plan and provides relief for us from all situations in HIS time. 

I have had to remind myself of this today.  HE has a plan and it is in HIS time....not my own. 

It has already been a super busy summer.  The girls went on a trip with grandparents, Audrey went to band camp last week, and she is at a worship arts camp this week.  We travel next week but they will be home for a few weeks after that.  It seems as though this summer is flying by.  Wow!  I'm so not ready for school to be starting back up but it will be here before we know it.  When does life slow down? 

Time to count my blessings....Cory got a promotion and will eventually change roles and schedules.  This will mean having him home on a more regular schedule, and this has not happened in our 15 years of marriage.  Super excited about that!  We have healthy, happy girls who are such a joy.  We have air conditioners (have I mentioned that I am SO thankful for this?  I'm a wimp in the heat.).  We have some family time coming up in 36 days....yes, 36....I have a countdown thing on my phone.  That's how excited I am!

It's amazing how cathartic it can be to blog.  I started out with all of these heavy, intensely personal issues on my heart and mind.  But, as I write, I realize that I have so much to be thankful for.  I looked back and read, and this whole blog seems to be struggle....thankful....menu.....kids.....struggle....thankful....menu.....kids....and so on.  Maybe I should get a life and live a little! lol

It's summertime!!

Summer is in full swing with lots of fun activities going on.  The girls returned last night from a week-long trip with grandparents to visit family and do a lot of fun things.  They came in talking at full speed, anxious to share their adventures and fun.  Camps begin next week, so things will continue to be busy.  Most importantly, the girls are having a wonderful summer so far.  Time with lots of family and friends, cool experiences, and time to just play and be kids....that's what summer is for!!

I have not done a lot of cooking in the last week or two, primarily because I don't cook much when it's just me at home.  But, I'm back on the wagon....planning next week's menu!

Friday--tacos and taco salad

Saturday--guinea grinders
                 turkey ranch club wrap
 

Sunday--double crunch honey garlic chicken


Monday--grilled chicken/shrimp and veggies

Tuesday--meat crust pizza

Wednesday--beer chicken in crock pot










Thursday--tortilla chicken casserole

I found recipe for breakfast burritos that you freeze.  I'm thinking of trying those so that we all have healthy breakfast options that are easy. 
 
I also found a recipe for apple pie egg rolls.  I love apple pie and MUST try these!!

Last week of school menu!!

Not sure who is more excited about the last week of school....the girls or me! lol  Here's the menu for the week!

Sunday--chicken and rice

 
             
meat crust pizza



Monday--guinea grinders

 

Tuesday--grilled shrimp



Wednesday--stir fry

Thursday--honey glazed chicken bites

New heart

A very dear friend of mine has a nephew who had a heart transplant as a baby.  He is now a teenager, and he went into cardiac arrest about 3 weeks ago.  He has been on the transplant list the last few weeks.  They found a heart this morning, and he is headed to surgery within the hour.  It struck me how difficult this is for his family.....not only the obvious concern and fear about his health but the realization that another family lost someone and is struggling as well.   My prayers today are for Jonathan's surgery and recovery to go smoothly, for his family to feel peace as they wait and watch, for his medical team to have skill and steady hands, and for the donor family to feel the loving arms of Jesus as they mourn.  Makes me want to go home and hug my girls and Cory.....because we are never promised tomorrow.

Light in the midst of darkness

I have discovered that in the midst of a lot of darkness, you can always find light.....if you are looking for it.  There has been a lot of turmoil in the last few weeks in parts of my life.  Our pastor abruptly resigned, and we have since found out the reasons.  The entire situation has created quite a divide in our congregation.  Satan is certainly at work as he attacks the body of believers.  Then, we lost a very dear friend this week to brain cancer.  As a matter of fact, he passed away 4 years to the day after surgeons eliminated most of the cancer from my body.  Irony.  Survivor's guilt.  Sadness.  Darkness  It is very easy to sit back and ask "why" when there is so much sadness, destruction in families, division within the church, and cancer.  Trust me....I've had plenty of time in my life to ask "why". 

But, "why" typically solves nothing.  It leads to bitterness and anger.  Searching for that answer will eat me up.  So, I am holding on to the one thing I have....hope and faith that God is in control.  He has a plan so much greater than any of ours.  He is in control in the midst of turmoil and sadness.  He is the light that we can cling to...the light at the end of the tunnel.  As a young child, when I would ask my mom hard questions, she always told me to "put it on your list" of things to ask Jesus when I get to heaven.  And, if "why" is still important then, I can ask it then.  But I don't think I'll care then. 

Rather than hold on to the negative things in my life, I am striving to find the positive things, to trust in HIS plan, and to appreciate the blessings that I've been given.  I CHOOSE to worship Him in ALL things.  I am blessed beyond measure.  I WILL find the light....because the light is my SAVIOR.

Picnic with Mom

Anna's school hosted a Mother's Day picnic for the children and their mothers.  I had the opportunity to go and eat with Anna outside under some shade trees.  We ate with two of her friends and their mothers.  It was a GREAT time!  I got to visit with a dear friend of mind, spent a fun lunchtime with my baby girl, and enjoyed the great outdoors.  We had a chance to be a little silly.....

 ate some yummy pizza.....

 and just enjoyed each other. 

It's not often that Anna and I get to do something fun, just us, so this was special!!

Tonight is the Honors Banquet at Audrey's school so more to come.... :)

Amazed

I know that all parents think their kids are AMAZING, and I am no different.  But there are some days when I am more AMAZED than others.  Today is a day that I am especially proud to be their mom.  They are growing into such AMAZING young ladies.  We are reaching the end of a school year, and I have been reflecting on their progress this year.  Next week is full of activities....band concerts, Mother's Day picnic, Honors Banquet.  We are getting ready for the children's choir musical at church and a camp fundraiser (dessert auction).  And, we are looking forward at a pretty busy summer.  Audrey has band camp, a worship arts camp, and church camp.  Anna has sewing camp and church camp.  There are family trips and vacations as well as a lot of time in the pool.  I recap the upcoming activities because I know that we sometimes get so wrapped up in being busy that we forget to enjoy each moment.  So, my personal goal in the next weeks and months is to stop and smell the roses....to enjoy this time in my life and the lives of my kids....to take lots of pictures....to share their excitement....and for them to know that there is nothing I would rather be doing than walking this journey with them.

new menu

I have tried several weeks in a row to post a menu and I keep running in to technical issues.  So, trying it again....

Saturday--chicken and cheese quesadillas, mixed berry cobbler



Sunday--blueberry pancakes



baked chicken, green beans



 muffin-tin meatloaf, homemade baked fries (sweet potato for me)



Monday--leftover grilled chicken from Saturday with sauteed bell peppers/jalepenos and pepper jack cheese

Tuesday--slow cooker pork chops, honey glazed carrots



Wednesday--Key West grilled shrimp, grilled veggies, cheese bites



Thursday--slow cooker cheesy chicken, angel hair spinach pasta, mixed veggies

Recent Happenings

Those with children know that parenting is a busy season in life.  That is exactly where my family is right now.  Though there are days that I long for a "break," I wouldn't trade these days for anything.

Both girls played Upward Basketball this season.  Anna's coaches threw them a post-season pizza party last week.  Coach Jeff even made them "plaques" that they can put in their rooms.  You would have thought it was a 10 foot trophy!

Audrey went to the Regional Science Fair last Friday.  She won third place in the Health/Medicine Category!  We are very proud of her hard work and accomplishments.  She asked me the night before if we could get ice cream afterward.  She had thought this through very carefully.....we could either go to celebrate a win or go as a consolation for losing. Needless to say, we went for ice cream afterward!

Anna is in the Ivory Primary Honor Choir.  They sang last week at the Daffodil Festival.  Maybe this means I won't have to continue to hear "Pizza Love"!  They did a great job!  Hearing them sing always puts a smile on my face.  Thanks a ton to Mrs. Harris for all that she does with our kids!

I felt the need to go visit my Granny on Saturday, so mom and I loaded the girls up and went to El Dorado.  We had a great time doing a little shopping and eating lunch with her.  I need to do that more often!  It made me remember how blessed I am to still have my Granny and how blessed my girls are to enjoy days like that with their great-grandmother!

Blessings

I know every day that God has blessed me.  But there are some days that I am just more aware of that.  Today is one of those days that I feel His blessings in all of the little things in life.  While some nights involve very little sleep, He sends nights like last night where I get LOTS of good sleep.  I am blessed to have my parents and Cory's parents close by.  Mom offered to cook dinner for us tonight....great fellowship, great food, and a night off from cooking! I am blessed to have a job to go to each day.  I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who works hard to take care of our family.  God gave me the two daughters that are just perfect completions to our family.  And, on mornings like today when they are angels, I am more aware of that than ever.  I noticed how green the grass in our yard was this morning....more so than other days. 

Having said all of that, I wonder if you have days where you are more aware than normal of God's blessings in your life.  Be sure to thank Him.

menu for week of March 19

OK, to be real honest, I'm starting to think I'm not supposed to write this today.  I have started it 3 times now, and when I'm almost finished, I get a message that it cannot save and I lose it all.  Maybe this time will work. 

I know it's early, but I'm already preparing for next week.  We will be busy packing the girls as they prepare to take a trip with Grandma and Grandpa over Spring Break.  So, I'm trying to plan ahead :)

Here's what I've come up with so far....

Sunday lunch--grilled hamburgers and veggie kabobs

Sunday supper--sweet n tangy chicken, spinach pasta, and salad

Monday--roast, carrots, potatoes--cooked in crock pot all day

Tuesday--oven fried fish, baked potato (sweet potato for me), broccoli and cheese

Wednesday--chicken stir fry (chicken, bell pepper, carrots, onions, mushrooms, pineapple, etc. in store bought stir fry sauce)

Thursday--mini meatloaf

As always, most of these recipes have come from Pinterest.  Any that are underlined and in a different color can be found by clicking on the underlined words.  It will take you to the link with the recipe!! 

Anyone out there have suggestions for future menus or recipes??  I'm always looking for new ideas!

catching up

Clearly, I'm not great at making time to update my blog.  Maybe I will find a way to be better =)


My precious Anna Grace turned 9 in January!  I can't believe how fast time flies.  We had a bowling party with several of her friends from both church and school.  She asked me to make her cake, which is always an honor.  It might not be the prettiest, but it was made with love!

Anna is also on the Quiz Bowl team at her school.  We went to Parkers Chapel for a tournament recently.  While they didn't win, they played with enthusiasm and heart.  I thought they did great for their first tournament!

Audrey is also doing well.  She was recently inducted into the Junior Beta Club. Quite a honor!

She also won first place in her category at the school science fair. So, it's off to the regional fair this week!  Good luck KatieBug!


Cory is back at work after about 4 months off with back surgery.  I'm not sure if his returning to work will be more of an adjustment for him or us girls! lol

Menu for week of March 11

I was posting menus on Facebook, but not all my Facebook friends want to see those.  So, I will just try to post them here and then send a link to my FB account.  Maybe that's more PC ;\

Sunday--Salmon Fillets with Pineapple Salsa (http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/recipes/salmon-fillets-with-pineapple-salsa.html)


Monday--Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast (http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Tangy-Slow-Cooker-Pork-Roast-Allrecipes)


Tuesday--Baked Nutty Pretzel Chicken (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/04/whats-for-dinner-next-week-baked-nutty.html)


Wednesday--Baked Fish Sticks (http://cleananddelicious.com/2010/07/19/baked_fish_sticks_w/)


Thursday--Taco Salad

Friday--Garlic Lime Chicken (http://randomanderson.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/garlic-lime-chicken/)


I will come back later and add side items, but gotta run now to pick up kids from school! Enjoy!!