Just The 6 Of Us

This week has been a hard week. MIL’s illness, my father getting seriously hurt at work and my son needing more testing at the Dr’s. So today with all this gloom hanging over me I started to think about something happy, something fun, something that I am looking forward too. The first thing that popped into my mind was my daughters birthday this year.

I really got a big smile on my face because in July she will be 16! I just cant believe that she is going to be 16. Car driving, car dating, leaving me more, wanting a job, cant wait to move out SIXTEEN! Of course her big party plans are already in motion in her head and her father and I have already been given her 20 item birthday present list. Which is BTW an amusing read.

Dale and I have already decided what we are going to get her. It wasnt on her list because I know she is afraid to ask for it, because of the cost. I am already scoping out eBay and other places to find a great deal. She wants a POD/Electric Guitar distorter. I know she will be thrilled!

The second thing that I thought of was the clipping of my grandmothers plant I got from my grandfather a month and a half ago. I was elated to see that it had rooted. I honestly didnt think it would. I was able to plant it in a cute purple pot. It is going to be beautiful when it gets bigger.

Thank God for the happy thoughts that came to me today, because I sure needed it.

Earlier this week I drug out all the cookbooks that I have (which is about 6) and decided I was going to cook some great meals. Something different. Lately we have been having the same things.

I picked out 6 new recipes to try made a list and went shopping. To my surprise I didnt spend that much more. I really enjoyed getting different ingredients, a lot of them I didnt already have in my cabinets. Now I have them for next time.

Monday night I decided to make Sunshine Chicken. You were supposed to cook it outside on a grill, but I have an indoor grill so I used that. I didnt think that it was going to turn out, because the chicken took forever to cook. Next time I make this I am going to cut the breasts a different way, so they will cook faster.

I was so happy because it was a hit. Susan, said it was the BOMB and Dale said that he couldnt believe I got it to taste like it was cooked outside. He wasnt so sure that I could top this, and asked me what this was called…Chicken rainbow?

I was on cloud nine for the rest of the evening. I means something when everyone in the house is in love with your cooking.

I made a note in the cookbook (like my mom used to do) so when Susan gets the book she will know how much everyone liked it and make it for her family.

Sunshine Chicken

1/4 cup Mustard

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1 TBS Brown Sugar

8 Slices of Bacon

4 Chicken Breasts cut in half to make 8

Mix 1st 3 ingredients together until brown sugar is disovled.

Wrap each chicken breast with a piece of bacon, use a toothpick to hold closed if needed.

Place chicken on grill, brush with the sauce you made. Turn frequently brushing with sauce.

*I used a can of chunk pineapple for the juice and then right before the chicken was done I took the pineapple and placed it on the grill to serve next to the chicken. It grilled nicely and got all caramelized.*  

I told Dale last night the more I think about it the more I like the idea of us booking a trip to Vegas and just get married by Elvis. He looked at me as if I had 2 heads.

Our talking and planning for a wedding next year came to a stand still in March, when we moved and has simply fizzled out. With the recent events of earlier this year and the illness of my mother in law, eloping sounded so much simpler and a lot less stress on the both of us.

I really figured he would love the idea and we could have a huge party afterwards. No sooner did I get it out of my mouth he saw right through me and said, “No. We are going to have a nice wedding with white dress, church and all the trimmings. You deserve it. Although, you do know I won’t wear a tie!”

So for now our date is still the same and we won’t be seeing “The King” anytime soon. Have I said lately how amazing he is?

I am enduring the pain of soon losing another family member. My heart hasn’t healed from the last time and here we go again. I am just so sad, I don’t even have the words to express how much this hurts.  Lord, give us all strength.

Since the passing of my grandmother in 05 I have not once had a dream of her. I had hoped that she would come to me in my dreams and just talk to me, but she didn’t until Friday night.

I was running across their yard and she was standing there with a pale yellow skirt and blazer on (almost like an Easter outfit) her hair was deep black and looked like it had just been styled. She looked beautiful (of course she would, heaven has a way of doing that). As I ran she out stretched her arms and I just fell into them sobbing into her shoulder as she hugged me tight. Nothing was said between us, I could just feel the warmth of her loving arms around me. Then I woke, smiling.

She had this way of knowing just when I needed her, she always had perfect timing.

J.R. Ward’s

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series click there to see all 4 books.

I am sure all my girlfriends have been waiting for this blog post because it seems that I am hooked on some greats books. I am not much of a reader and when Erin gave me Book One in this series it did take me a couple days to start to read it. Well Holy Hannah! I am so sorry that it took me so long to start it. Thank you Angie for gifting Dark Lover Book 1 to Erin.

I fell in love with this book and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second one. So in the next 3-5 days I read books 2-4. Now I am sad. Because the newest book doesn’t come out until October. Believe me I am completely tore up about this.

I just can’t believe I liked them that much. The writer really brought these characters to life. I mean by the time I was finished each one, I felt like I knew them on a very personal level. I even cried during book 2, which is my favorite out of the 4 she has released. Although I think my favorite Character will be “V”. I wont know for sure until Book 5 which will be about him. I really highly recommend them to anyone. They are just absolutely incredible.

The last couple of days have been real crappy to say the least. A lot of feeling blah and just down in the dumps. I do have a lot on me right now most of it sad and depressing, but I had some really great talks with Dale and my father. I have now come to the conclusion that I need to get myself out of this martyr situation I have put myself into, stop playing the victim and he happy.

I sit here and complain about my crappy life, how hurt I have been, how I cant get over the fact that my children’s birthdays went passed without so much as a second thought to some, Easter was another blow to me in certain degrees and an ex-friend trying to use me to her advantage, because I used to care and I could go on.  But, Wait a minute, what about what I do have. I was reminded by my wonderful fiance’ to look around.

I have a beautiful new house, a fiance’ that loves me and has this wonderful job that makes it posible for me to stay home with our children, a loving family and the very best of friends and the 4 most awesome children in the world. There is nothing that I should be unhappy about. Oh lord how he was right! Thanks Honey for reminding me of this.

I am having my moms group over today for a play-date and I am super excited. So today is a better and will continue to be from now on!  

I just wanted to reach out and ask for prayers for myself. I am really having a hard time lately with some personal family issues, my side and his. I am just physically and emotionally drained. Lord give me strength.

Today is Adam’s second birthday. I can hardly believe he is two. He was just born yesterday…right? 7:32am, 9lbs, 20 1/2 inches long. With a chest like a line backer.

He has since grown into his body now and what a beautiful boy he is. Grumpy as all get out most of the time, but still sweet as a peach to me.  He woke up this morning and the bear was in full force. He was is the worst mood. Before he even got to see what the Easter Bunny had left him, he threw serval fits. Not even sure what the problem was really, I guess he just wasnt a happy camper. The rest of our day has been better, he got several birthday presents and is downstairs laughing and playing. What a wonderful sound that is.

I am sitting here thinking how did I get so lucky? I have the most wonderful thing ever, the gift of children.

Elias was 5 today at exactly 3:14pm. He was 7lbs 10oz 19 3/4 inches long. Just a beautiful child all the way around. So sweet, cuddly and a Mommy’s boy, still is.  

I watched him all day, I was almost studying him actually. How he looks like me, acts like his brother, talks like sister, Susan and has energy like his baby brother. Blonde hair, blued eyed, crooked teeth, skinny little thing and he was just being himself. Goofy as usual and full of life. His laugh would make me smile everytime I heard it. I wish I could freeze time and make him stay 5 forever and I could keep my baby forever.

Ohh how I love him. He is perfect. Thank you Lord for giving him to me.  I am truly blessed, no doubt about it!

Nothing better than brownie batter right off the spoon for your birthday

 Happy Birthday Elias, Momma loves you more than you could ever imagine!