Delicious!

These nuts are wonderful! Sweet and delicious. They are fairly good for you too. Have you tried them? If not, you should. ;-)

Friday Fill-Ins

1. I was thinking about going to the library and getting a good book to read. I am craving a good book. Any suggestions?

2. One time when I went to the doctor's office I got sidetracked and I left my book there. Thank goodness I remembered where it was, because it was a library book.

3. Why does weight loss have to be so darn difficult for me? I really struggle telling myself no when it comes to food. So bad!

4. My dad was in my thoughts today. We are approaching the 4-year anniversary of his death, and today my youngest told me that Grandpa was in the woods playing music. Then she said when you go to Heaven you go in the woods. Hmmmm??? Death and Heaven are such tough concepts at three.

5. One of my father's favorite sayings was nothing I can remember. Now I am having a sad moment. I can't remember him saying anything specific. I feel like crying. Maybe my mom can help me remember something.

6. Sore muscles and hungry belly--I know that feeling!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a relaxing night at home, tomorrow my plans include working out and taking my daughter to a Girl Scout Tie Dye Event and Sunday, I want to go to church and relax!

Food 4 Thought Friday

Breakfast~What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Fiber One Honey Clusters Cereal...YUM!!

Lunch~What is something that you are disappointed about right now? Life in America! Okay, I know that is a huge thing to be disappointed about, but I am. I am not saying everyone is like this, but I feel like marriage in America is taken so lightly. Divorce is used far too often. Also, I feel like as if Americans, and I am including myself here, have become spoiled. We expect to have more than we really need, and we want to work far less than we really should. Debt is the norm. People would rather be out of work than flip burgers at a fast food restaurant. Also, I feel as if we aren't raising our youth right. They are just going to grow up to be more spoiled and more lazy. Don't even get me started on the government in America! Trust me...I am disappointed!

Dinner~What is in your fridge right now? Stuff for tacos, chocolate cake, veggies, milk, and a whole lot of other stuff.

Midnight Snack~What are you really anticipating right now? Being done with this weight loss class I signed up for. June 9th will be my last day!! I am sticking with Weight Watchers, but this program now is all about eating a lean protein and healthy carb every 3 to 4 hours. I am not saying that is a horrible plan, but I am saying it isn't working well for me. It isn't realistic long term. Plus, I am so sick of chicken right now!

Recipe of the Week (Instead of your recipe for life, what is it for just this week?)~One meal at a time...in regards to weight loss.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Where are my obedient children? They seem to have been replaced with rotten clones. ;-)

2. If wishes were horses, my house would clean itself.

3. I'd like to see different areas of the US with my kids. This summer we are crossing Gatlinburg, TN off of our list.

4. When I was a teen, I thought being an adult was going to be so easy. I was wrong!

5. One of my mother's favorite sayings was "Beacause I said so."

6. I'd have a hard time doing without my mom. Seriously, she is my lifesaver. She helps me clean, take care of the kids, and keep me sane. My hubby works a ton of hours each week, and she helps me be able to handle that without going nuts.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to taking my kids to bowling club, going to my son's first T-Ball game, and celebrating my daughter's 8th birthday, tomorrow my plans include working on Ali's birthday cake and Sunday, I want to go to church, get things ready around our house, and have a family birthday party at our house for my daughter!

Our Menu For 04/19/10 through 04/25/10

Monday~Ham & Bean Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Tuesday~Pan Fried Pork Chops, Oven Roasted Vegetables and Mac 'N Cheese
Wednesday~Pot Roast with Carrots, Onions & Potatoes
Thursday~Mustgoes
Friday~Nachos
Saturday~Pigs in a Blanket (It's National Pigs in a Blanket Day!)
Sunday~Tacos

Me Like

Here are a couple of songs that I have been enjoying lately.

So, what do you think of these? Do you have any songs you have been enjoying lately? Do share!

Our Menu For 04/12/10 through 04/18/10

Okay, I admit that I have been a MAJOR slacker when it comes to cooking lately. Especially last week, which was my kids' spring break. We ate out far too much! So, I am putting my foot down. We will not eat out until this weekend. I would love to say we won't even eat out then, but Ali & I are going to Chicago, so that would be an empty promise. Here is our menu for the week...

Monday~Pot Roast with Carrots, Onions & Potatoes
Tuesday~Beef Barley Soup
Wednesday~Taco Bake
Thursday~Mustgoes
Friday~Bachelor Night for Jeff (The kids and I will be gone.)
Saturday~Another Bachelor Night for Jeff
Sunday~Pan Fried Pork Chops with Oven Roasted Veggies (I am optimistic that I will get home early enough and actually feel like cooking a meal. Time will tell what really happens!)

Friday Fill-Ins

1. In 1992, I was graduating early from high school, starting college, and moving in with the wrong man.

2. The world would be a sad place without laughter and smiles.

3. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Nobody can ask you for anything more.

4. Hanging out with my sisters is where I'd like to be. I really hope we can fit in some time together soon. Life is crazy busy for all of us, and we live several hours apart from each other. It makes spending time together a bit difficult. Soon, though, soon!

5. The trees and flowers are telling me that there is a God. Who else could create such beauty?

6. I am tired of all the sibling drama that just keeps going on. I pray my kids will one day learn to get along without fighting. Well, at least let them learn to fight like mature people.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to my friend Tammy's baby shower, tomorrow my plans include driving out to Jeff's grandma's house for dinner and Sunday, I want to go to church, hang out at home, and prepare for the coming week!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

You would be 64 today, which means you have been gone from this Earth for almost 4 years. I love this picture of you as a baby. I swear you would have made a perfect Gerber baby. Too cute!

So much has changed over the past 6 months, and I wish you were here to enjoy those changes. I am getting to know my sisters, your daughters, Kim & Tammy. They are wonderful! We even had a family get together at Mill Rose. You loved that place. Kim, Tammy, Jason & I were all in the same room together. We all get along great. It was amazing! It would have been even more amazing if you were there, but God had different plans. I suppose I can't question his plans and timing of this all.

I will eat something chocolaty in honor of you today. You loved chocolate! Maybe I will have an Oreo blizzard. Lord knows you loved those.

Happy Birthday, Dad! Until we see each other again, remember that I love you!

A Special Day

My mom had Josh & Meghan for a sleepover yesterday, which left Ali & I with a whole day to spend together. That rarely happens!

We started our mother-daughter day off by going to see 'How To Train Your Dragon' in 3D. Loved it! I thought the 3D was pretty darn great, but what I really loved was the story. It is all about friendship, following your heart, and how it is okay to be different. Ali loved the movie too. She also loved the hot dog, soda & popcorn. When we left the theater, the first thing she said was, "I think I am going to puke." Ya think? She rarely eats popcorn, but she was loving it because they drenched it in butter. My belly was hurting and I didn't have a hot dog swimming in their too. LOL!

After the movie, we went to my mom's house for a bit. Josh has been having poo-poo issues, and my mom said he might need to come home. We got him settled, and we were off again.

We went to a pottery painting place. They closed at 6, and we got there around 4. So, I knew I wouldn't have time to do a project, but Ali had time to paint a tile. I'll post a picture after we pick it up next Tuesday. We had a good time there. Lots of talking and painting was happening.

Afterwards, we went to a used bookstore that I love. We are going to try to have a little reading time each day this summer, even if it is at bedtime. So, Ali got to pick out 6 books. She picked 2 Bailey School Kids books, 2 Ghostville Elementary books, 1 Scooby Doo book, and 1 Goosebumps book. Do you see a theme here? She loves scary/mystery/horror books. I love that she reads! It's a win-win situation.

When we left the bookstore, Ali was saying that she was hungry. I reminded her that it had only been a few hours since we ate at the movie, but she insisted she was ready to eat dinner. So, we called Daddy to see if he wanted to join us, but he still had estimates to run. Off to Red Lobster we went! Here we talked even more. One thing we discussed is why we can't have days like this all the time. One reason being that it isn't just the two of us in our family, and another reason being a day like this costs quite a bit of money. I told her that on "regular days" she needs to hold onto the memories made on days like this. Those memories can get us through until the next time.

While we were at the restaurant, we called Daddy and got permission to go to the mall. Shopping! This truly was a girl's day. We went to Justice, Ali's favorite store, and got a couple outfits. We then went to Children's Place, Gap, & JC Penney and bought a few more things. The only store she didn't see anything she liked was Gymboree, and I can't really blame her. I saw a lot for Meggie there, but not really anything for Ali. It is getting more difficult to shop for her, because she is starting to have a definite style. I would call her style "80's girl with hippie tendencies." LOL! She loves bright colors, tye died clothes, and just plain ol' funky stuff.

By the time we left the mall it was very dark. We went to Subway to pick Jeffrey up a sandwich. That is when Ali & I decided we needed some ice cream. We love our little ice cream shack, which is open for the season. However, we only had 10 minutes until they closed, and I wasn't sure we would make it in time, but we decided to give it a try. I'm glad we did! We pulled in with 2 minutes to spare. Yahoo!

I feel truly blessed to be able to have spent such a special day with my little girl. The memories will hopefully last us a lifetime. I feel like I got to understand her a tad bit better. She is often bratty and argumentative, but I truly think she just constantly feels like she is in competition with her brother and sister. I think being the oldest is hard on her too. Maybe days like this will help her to relate to me better and understand me better too. I can pray! :-)

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter! On Saturday we colored eggs. Don't they look pretty?

I was so excited to read a tip in my Family Fun magazine that helped with this sometimes messy task. You stick the egg inside a metal whisk. Then the kids can hold onto the whisk and dunk the egg. Brilliant! I love tips like that.

On Sunday morning we got up, hunted for baskets, ate cinnamon rolls, and got ready for church. The service was packed, which I wasn't fully prepared for. We almost couldn't find a seat. So nice to see the church that full. I pray Jesus nudged everyone's hearts during that service.

After church, I made my children take some pictures in their outfits. They are adorable!

Ali wanted to know why she and Meghan always have to wear matching outfits. First of all, they rarely wear matching outfits. Second of all, I'm paying for them, so I get to do it my way. Hah! ;-) They are just so precious when they match.

Ali is just such a sweet thing...when she isn't being argumentative.

Josh is such a handsome little guy...when he isn't being a goofy turkey.

Meghan is stinkin' cute...even when she is being a goofy turkey!

We got changed and headed over to Aunt Abby & Uncle John's house for Easter dinner. Our contributions to dinner were deviled eggs

and Easter cookies. I felt the need to crosses and bunnies. My kids know the real reason we celebrate Easter, but they also get gifts from the Easter bunny. So, on this platter you have one part fiction and one part non-fiction. A little make believe and reality.

Here is my cutie patootie niece, Emma.

While we were at Abby & John's, the kids all got to play on the rope swing,

Jeffrey got to take a nap,

the Wii was played,

an Easter egg hunt took place,

and a little baseball was played.

Meghan also got some snuggle time in with Grandma

and Great-Grandma Rose.

This was our first Easter since Great-Grandpa Jack passed away. He was missed! Grandma Rose had a few moments of sadness. We all did. That is to be expected, but overall, it was a wonderful day. One Grandpa Jack would have enjoyed.

Thank you, Jesus, for dying on that cross for all of the people pictured above (as well as everyone in the world). Please help each one of us to fully appreciate the sacrifice you made for us. Help us to live our lives for you. Help us to not think about what we want but think about what you want. Amen!

Happy Easter!

I pray that each one of you has a blessed day. A day that is filled with awe and understanding at the gift that was given to us many years ago. A gift of forgiveness, hope, and forever. Rejoice in all that He has done for us! Thank you, Jesus!