A new day…

So, yesterday was a brand new day for me.  A whole new experience for me, that I was so ready for, and didn’t know all this time.  I got baptized.  I think my husband was more anxious than me the whole day, I was ready for it, let’s get this show on the road!  I went behind the stage to get dressed and as we waited, one by one went in, I sat and waited patiently for my turn.  There it was, I was next, I asked if it was too late to go to the restroom :)  No turning back now, I walked out there, and smiled from ear to ear the whole time.  I kept thinking my face is on the big screen, you have to smile, plus I was happy!  I don’t remember a single word Brother Joe said to me, besides do you believe in Jesus, of course I answered Yes, Sir.   Then came the time to get out of the water, OH MY, first step, good night, second step, what in the world, everyone is watching me, third step, I’m out, and this robe has suctioned cupped itself to my body!  I thought, you need to get yourself off of that stage and fast.  I never thought about that part!!  And the towel, well I might as well had a washcloth, it didn’t cover ANYTHING!!  Oh well, that is not what we were there for right? 

 
See I told you I was cheesing!  There I was on the big screen!

I really don’t have to hold my nose to go under water!  Plus I think I grabbed my nose a little too quickly, he wasn’t ready yet.

It was a whole new day for me!  I couldn’t quit thinking about it last night, therefore I didn’t fall asleep until well after 11, but it was all worth it! 

Time out!!

Do you ever need to put yourself in a time out?  I need a time out today!  I need a break, a break to sit and think about some things.  A break to quietly pray about some things.  Maybe I will get it, at 10:00 PM tonight :)

You are more…

Sometimes things in life just have a way of working themselves out.  It is really funny how they work out, but they always do.  I am amazed to see some of the changes and good stuff  that is happening around me.  My cousin’s little boy is actually starting to talk a little, Thank you lord!  He is mimicking what his parents are saying, which is awesome!  Good job Colie Polie!  I am getting baptized Sunday night, that is a big change.

Gracie stopped going to children’s church, her choice, but she LOVES staying in her actual class, and helping out Miss Della.  If she loves doing it, then I am not going to pressure her to go to a different class.  Last night, talking to Brian, I told him, how I didn’t know but maybe 3 or 4 stories of the bible, literally.  I am not ashamed to admit it, I just don’t know them.  So, he suggested that while reading Gracie her bedtime story, I get her picture bible out and read that to her, that way we both learn the stories.  Needless to say, we learned a lot last night.  Gracie also sang the Father Abraham song to me, which was a nice treat.

Brian and I are having to do our daily devotionals at night for our marriage class, which makes us talk about things, that we normally wouldn’t talk about.  And it is nice to sit down and talk every once in a while.

Also, we are having date nights at church, to go along with the marriage class.  We are dropping Gracie off this Friday, and Brian & I are going on a date!  For 3 whole hours we get to be alone.  What are we going to do??

It is really nice to see all the good things happening in my life and my family’s lives, and believe me I am so thankful for them. 

SO, on that note, I heard a song this morning, that said:

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

If we all believe in our hearts that this is true, we can truly move on from the bad stuff in our lives, and start enjoying the good stuff.  That is what matters anyway right, the good stuff! 

Marriage Class…

So, Brian and I started a marriage class last night at church, and I am SUPER pumped about it.  There is a daily devotional that goes along with it, so tonight for Valentine’s Day, after Gracie goes to bed, what will be more romantic than pulling out our study guides and going over the first lesson?  NOTHING, I tell you, Nothing!  We are both eager to learn from this, we just hoped it was longer.  It is only 4 weeks, boo hoo!  Oh well, 4 weeks is 4 more weeks to a better marriage! 

Anyway, there are a lot a great people in our class and funny too, we both feel comfortable enough to talk and share!  So, here goes nothing…

Famous Quote…

“I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. First, let her think she’s having her own way. And second, let her have it.” -Lyndon B. Johnson

What a smart man! :)

Gracie’s First Sleepover

Gracie had been dying to have a sleepover, so I planned one, a surprise one.  I invited her cousins, Cailynn and Callie to come over and spend the night.  They were excited as well.  I told Brian we would get pizza, snacks, and let them play all night!  Luckily they were dropped off early enough and the weather cooperated, so they could go outside for a while.  They ran around and rode Gracie’s 4-wheeler.  They ended up not going to sleep until after 11:30, but it was so worth it.  Gracie was already asking to have them over again!

We need help!

We have SO much junk in Gracie’s room, and I can’t seem to ever get ahead of it.  I throw away, garage sale, and give away ALL-THE-TIME!  I am at a loss of what to do with all her stuff.  Please help, I need suggestions.  This spring, I would love to redo her room with paint and a actual bed set, along with curtains, but I need help.  Please I will take all suggestions!

AND i don’t want to hear one thing about quit buying her stuff, I didn’t buy all this stuff, you all did, for Christmas, birthdays, etc… Ok, maybe I did buy the shoes, but I swear, a lot of this other stuff came as gifts.   She is definitely one loved little girl!

Why do they always have to name it?

What is up with the weather guys and always having to name the storms that come through Oklahoma?  This one we are getting right now, Snowmaggedon 2011 is what I hear they are calling it, sometimes Blizzard of 2011, Snowocalypse, who cares!!  You know what, it is flippin cold, and blowing snow outside!  I don't care what you call it!  All I know is, my heater has been on non-stop since about 1:00 am, and it is still 67 degrees inside, and even though I left one of our faucets dripping last night, the shower was still frozen this morning.  Yes, I finally got it to come on, so at least I don't stink!  Brian had to dig out of 3 foot snow drift this morning to get his truck out of the garage to go to work.  Needless to say, he is not a happy camper.  Would you be if your pants were soaking wet, and your tail was freezing cold?  Our dog has peed in the kitchen floor, AND pooped in the living room!  All in all, I would say it was a typical snow day!  But I am very thankful to have what I have, especially electricity!  And to not have to work out in it.  Unlike my brother, who was at work outside, at 5 AM this morning with 5 layers of clothes on, in Elk City, OK.  Please pray he doesn't get frostbite!  Hope y'all stay warm!

Easy Beef Skillet Recipe—Looks good and easy

Zesty Beef & Rice Skillet
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 30 min.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 boneless beef sirloin steak, 3/4-inch thick, cut into strips (about 1 pound)

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Picante Sauce

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® Beef Stock

1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice

Chopped fresh parsley

1. Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until it's well browned, stirring often. Pour off any fat.
2. Stir the picante sauce, broth and rice in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender. Sprinkle the beef mixture with the parsley, if desired.

Makes: 4 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each).

What a trip…

So you ever been on the best trip ever and enjoyed it so much, you couldn’t wait to go again?  What if you had a child with a disability?  The ride of everyday life felt like a rollercoaster ride.  Trying to keep life in general going around the house for the other members of the family, plus your work life, and then on top of all that every appointment that your child with the disability has, and trying to be there for each and every one of them.  My hat goes off to you.  I am just tired looking at you.  Well, here is a story that someone sent me that kind of puts things into perspective:

A Trip to Holland

By Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability -- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans... the Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel, Gondolas. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting. After several months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives.

You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland!" "Holland?" you say. "What do you mean, Holland? I signed up for Italy. I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy." But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place full of pestilence, famine, and disease. It's just a different place.

So, you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It's just a different place. It's slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around. You begin to notice that Holland has windmills. Holland has tulips. And Holland even has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, " Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that experience will never, ever, ever, go away. The loss of that dream is a very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

Christmas Time and a Happy New Year

Well, we made it.  We made it through another year.  And I, for one am ready to begin a new year!  I am looking forward to this year!  Gracie starts Pre-K for one.  My baby girl is growing up.  WOW!  I know, we aren’t going to handle this well :)   Another reason to look forward to the new year, is that I hope our family all gets well and stays well.  I pray that this is the year of Good Health. 
Anyway, Gracie had a wonderful Christmas and got WAY too many presents.  I should have just bought her a cardboard box, she doesn’t really play much with toys I did buy her, except her guitar Brian gave her.  It is quite a funny site to see.  Although she loves her American girl doll, and all her Barbies.  AND don’t forget her Twinkle Toe shoes.  I haven’t gotten her to wear any other shoe but those since Christmas, so those were a hit.
  




The next week, Kara and I braved Chuck E. Cheese for the very first time, and Gracie and Jacob had a great time.  As a matter of fact, Kara is having Jacob’s party there, so all the kids will be so excited for that!  Parents, bring your medication! LOL!  Kara and I split 75 coins and we were there almost 2 hours.  It took forever, but it was truly fun!  Gracie was worn out and she said she had the best day ever.  The rest of my vacation, was spent cleaning, doing laundry, cleaning out junk, putting away Christmas stuff, and the list goes on and on…  I did not want to come back to work this week.  I have slept through my alarm once already this week
Oh yeah, Brian’s dad, Mike had surgery this past week for prostate cancer, he went home yesterday and all looks really well.  Please keep him in your prayers!
I am really going to try to do better with pictures this year and this blog.

Santa’s Visit, and a few other things…

Things have been a little crazy since Thanksgiving as I knew it would, but I love it.  I love Christmas, everything about it.  The presents, the decorations, the family time, even the clean up.  I do miss it once it is over because it seems to go so fast.  I wish we didn’t have to rush, and that we got to sit there and wallow in the paper on Christmas morning, while Gracie begged to open toy after toy.  It would be so much fun, but I also love family time, so off we go…

Anyway, Gracie has already gotten to see a few Santa’s, this Santa:

gave her a stocking filled with $10 worth of gold coins.  That was at Brian’s Christmas party, and we lost out on a cruise.  Brian had sunglasses, someone stole them, and they won the cruise!  Oh well, maybe next year!

Then this Santa came to the house, walked right in the door, and surprised Gracie:

He was there checking on her to make sure she was being good.  The last two weeks, she has been reminding everyone that Santa is coming and you need to be good to get toys. 

Thanksgiving

WOW!  What a day!  I got stuffed, like the turkey I am!   I think I filled my belly way to full!  I got to make green bean casserole and take it to Brian’s grandparent’s this year, which didn’t turn out half bad.  It was cold by the time we got to eat it, but you know, I should have put it back in the oven.  Gracie even tried a bite of a little green bean, and not of a big green bean, because according to her, those make her really crazy! 

After lunch we went to my mom’s house, and had dessert.  My Aunt Teresa and my mom were doing crafts, and apparently we didn’t get the supply list.  But we got to help and have a good laugh, and no one wanted the snowball after it was finished. 

I am so very thankful for all of my family and friends and that I got to spend the day with most of them yesterday.  Those of you that I didn’t see, you were truly missed and I love you!  

Now, onto Christmas, the busiest month of the whole year.  We have parties, parades, I am on call for a week, Brian works every other Saturday,  wrapping presents, shopping time with my husband, and best of all CHRISTMAS!!  I am so excited I can hardly stand it.  I have always loved Christmas, it is become more about family than anything, and watching Gracie open her presents.  I love see the look on her face after each present is opened. 

The only thing I despise, and I am sure each and every one of you will agree, is getting those little toys out of the packages.  You have to have a PhD in Nuclear Radiation, and Engineering to get those little suckers out of those boxes.  I mean wire cutters, scissors, blow torches, hammers, drills, I have seen it all.  Is the toy really worth that much??  I say, yes, yes it is!!  NOW, go buy it!  Love y’all!

We are family!

I know you love to watch Gracie dance just as much as I do, so here you go!

Well, It’s not a Secret…

The cat is out of the bag, my mom had cancer.  Yep, I said it.  Lung Cancer to be exact.  You noticed I said “HAD”  That is right, today is a day of celebration.  She went to the doctor today, and got an “All-clear” report.  She will only have to do a cat scan once a year from now on.  She found out in August, that she had a mass on her right lung, two months later, a doctor at Integris was taking out a lobe in her right lung and that was that, Cancer was gone!  How awesome is that?  Prayers have certainly been answered!!  She is doing wonderful, getting around so great, and bossing Ron around since she is home, Ha!  She will be off for a few more weeks, but otherwise, doing just wonderful!!

My family is doing great, Gracie is growing like a weed!  She is getting so smart and saying new things every day.  I took her to get her flu shot today, and she said after her shot:  That is it, no more shots for the year!  She also told a little boy at daycare that he was being an annoyance.  Where they come up with this stuff, who knows! 

Christmas is right around the corner, and I haven’t even begun to think about Christmas shopping.  Brian and I are celebrating our anniversary this weekend, and I plan on hitting it hard this weekend!  He loves to shop with me, because I am one of those shoppers that gets in and out, I know what I am going for!  Plus, I hit all the sales racks!  Or, at least, I think he likes to shop with me, maybe he just likes spending time with me :)

Gracie is turning 4!

Well, it is finally here.  Tomorrow is her big day!  I can’t believe it has already been 4 years since little Gracie Lou was born.  Remember she looked like a little monkey head when she was born??  Well, she has grown up so much and has such a little attitude, but I love that little stinker!

 

Chicken Quesadillas

I know you have waited on me to blog for almost a month, and you get a stinkin’ recipe.  Well this recipe is sooo good!

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

1 can (12.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

10 flour tortillas (8-inch), warmed

Pace® Chunky Salsa

Sour cream

1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
2. Stir the soup, 1/2 cup cheese, jalapeño pepper, if desired, and chicken in a medium bowl.
3. Place the tortillas onto 2 baking sheets.  Spread 1/4 cup chicken mixture on half of each tortilla to within 1/2 inch of the edge.  Brush the edges of the tortillas with water.  Fold the tortillas over the filling and press to seal.
4. Bake for 5 minutes or until the filling is hot.  Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.  Serve with the salsa and sour cream.
Makes: 5 servings.

Enjoy!

Well, have you missed me?`

Things have been a little busy around here lately!  It seems like we have been going non-stop for the last few weeks.  We had Baby Cole’s Birthday party,which was fun!  Then, we had vacation bible school at Aunt Amie’s church, which Gracie loved!   She really liked the teachers!  Then, this past weekend, Gracie and I ventured out on our own to Ft.Worth, and went to Cindy’s wedding.  We had a great time!  The wedding was awesome, Cindy and James truly put on a great party for their family and friends.    Gracie and I stayed in a hotel by our self, and Gracie was in heaven.  She got to eat in bed, and lay all over me at night!  Of course, I didn’t get any sleep, but it was worth the trip! 

Does anyone else feel like this year is in fast forward, I mean Gracie’s birthday is right around the corner, then Halloween, then Christmas, O lord.  Do ya’ll remember the blizzard, it just seems like we were crawling out of it like a month ago.  And that stinkin’ ice storm, wow, no electricity for two weeks!  How can I forget that? 

Well, as some of you may already know, my brother and his family are moving to Mangum.  They have already placed their house in Duncan on the market, and will close on their new house in September.  I cannot wait to see it, I hear it is beautiful!  All I have to say, I better get my new webcam working on my pc, so Gracie can Skype with Addy, along with Bailey and Savana down in Texas!

Gracie is having a little bit of difficulty dealing with the fact that everyone is moving, and her best friend is going to school and she is not.  It is a great opportunity for Gracie to meet new friends and I know first chance she gets, she will, but right now, she doesn’t understand that.  I know kids are very flexible at this age, and adjust to change easily, I just think it will take time!  We have our daily talks about it, and we somehow adopted our secret handshake, that seems to make her feel better!  And of course, this morning, I promised her sonic for dinner :)  I am such a sucker!

Ranch Style Coleslaw with Bacon

I like coleslaw, when it is not out of the big bucket from Walmart, when someone actually takes the time to make it.  I like my sister’s version of coleslaw, it has lemon pepper in it.  Brian likes the real deal mayo type, the one that is really creamy.  He wouldn’t like the one below because he doesn’t like ranch, but maybe if I used Creamy Italian and who could go wrong with bacon, HA!

1 pkg. (16 oz.) coleslaw blend
4 slices  OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, crumbled
1/2 cup KRAFT Ranch Dressing

Make It

COMBINE ingredients.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Asian-Style Coleslaw
Prepare as directed, using KRAFT Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing and substituting 1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts for the bacon.
CATALINA Coleslaw
Prepare as directed, using KRAFT CATALINA Dressing and substituting 1 small chopped apple for the bacon.
Italian-Style Coleslaw
Prepare as directed, using KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade and substituting 1 small red pepper, cut into short thin strips, for the bacon.

All in a days work!

Have you ever had a day where you thought God was looking down on you and snickering the whole time while he watches the world unfold?  Well, I have had a week like that already.  Our dog threw up on the couch and pillows, Gracie painted herself with red paint, along with the carpet, and then she decided that she would play with the gum that was in her mouth and she smeared it all over her leg, hands and chin.  Yes, I know, at least it wasn’t her hair.  We were in the car at the time of that incident, so I made her ride home with her hands in the air, not touching anything.  Good thing, I could laugh about all of this later, because I thought, man I should have taken a picture of that paint, AND that gum, but I didn’t.  Both times, I was so worried about her getting it on other things, I had to get it cleaned up right then.  It is only Wednesday, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the rest of the week!

Oh yeah, and if anyone wants to get me a belated birthday gift, throw pillows would be nice :)

On a cute note, Gracie was so tired the other night, she passed out in like 5 minutes, and when Brian went in there to check on her, this is what he found.