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