Weekly Song - I have this Hope

A week or so ago, someone shared this song on Facebook and it included the story behind the song but, of course, I can't find that post now.  Ultimatly, the story doesn't matter because the song itself is so powerful.  It doesn't matter what type of pain or unknown you are walking through right now - We have hope.  Some days, it is what gets me through the day as I cry out to God and ask him, "Why" - "I have this hope; In the depths of my Soul."  So powerful.

Family Fun - St. Patricks Day and TKD Testing

So, I have to admit that as I'm going through photos from March, it gets a little harder because I know now that my dad's time was counting down.  It makes it more emotional.  I wish I had taken a few more photos of him when he was with the boys but I'm thankful for photos we do have taken in March when we gathered at my parents house to see my brother.  It's like another "first" seeing photos taken just weeks before my dad's stroke and realizing there is a "before" and an "after".


Somehow, St. Patricks Day has become my most fun holiday to celebrate other than the "big ones" (Christmas and Easter).  It's just plain fun.  I think part of it is the simple fact that the boys truly believe that a Leprechaun comes into the house and leaves candy all day (Rolos).  It gets harder each year to hide them without them seeing me but still - it's fun.  I also love buying them a special t-shirt - it's the first summer shirt of the season and it is just plain fun.

 Wow, they are pasty white HA!  Compared to right now where they are super tan . . .yikes!

 Josh and "Itty Bitty"  - he loves that cat.

 Our annual Green dinner.  Stuffed Cabbage in the crock pot, Green Jell-o, Green Kool-aid, Crash potatoes and Green pudding with coins in the bottom of the glass.

The boys were able to test for their next Tae Kwon Do belts on March 18th.  They had worked hard during two semesters of Friday School to learn what they needed.  A cool thing was at the end of the testing, they got to break a board with their foot.  It was fun to watch.

They both moved on to their yellow striped belt.  (And yes, they are already working hard on being able to test for their next belt in the spring)

Weekly Menu

I had the best intentions this week to get back into posting daily but then, well, it's Friday.  We really dug hard into school this week and focus on getting my husband better and back to work (he's getting better and did go back to work).  Fall is here.  It happened overnight - we had 80 degree temps on day and 60 degrees the next plus rain, wind, and cloudy skies - I love fall!!  I enjoy cooking a little more as the weather cools off and my kitchen isn't hotter than . . well, you know ;-)

So here's the plan for the coming week!

Friday - Pork Chops and Rice, salad, and garlic sticks

Saturday - I'm not cooking.  I have no idea what we will have but I'm not cooking it :-)

Sunday - After church we'll have Grammy's Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Cheesy Green Bean Casserole and Rolls.  For dinner later, it's soup time!  I'm going to a new soup - Asian Rice Noodle Soup and french bread.

Monday - Chick-Fuh-Lay Nuggets, Crash Potatoes, and Roasted Cabbage slices.  (on a side note - we have Chick-Fuh-Lay Resturants opening all over the place by us!  Can't wait to try the real thing!)

Tuesday - Meatloaf, Twice- baked Potatoes, Carrots, and Bisucits

Wednesday - Chicken Quesadillas, Rice and Chips and Cheese

Thursday - Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Corn and Crescents.

Weekly Song - "Clean"

For the past several months, we've had free XM radio which has been great.  I love listening to "The Message" every time I get in the truck and, since it isn't a local station, they play songs that are new to me.  One of those is this song by Natalie Grant called "Clean" which just touched my heart the very first time I heard it.  The words are so simple, yet so true.

Weekly Menu

Well, last week I said it would be a normal week but it turned out nothing like normal.  Darryl's had some health issues and spent 2 1/2 days in the hospital.  The boys and I all ended up with really bad colds so this house has been sick!  None of us have been super hungry so I tweaked some plans to keep things simple and fairly light.  I'm crossing my fingers that this next week - thinks will even out. 

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday -- Tacos, Beans and Rice.  An easy meal for a busy day AND a day I never feel like cooking!

Saturday - Cheesy Chicken Divan, Salad, and French Bread

Sunday - Last week I planned a roast.  I cooked it but it didn't get enjoyed because just as I pulled it all out of the oven, we had to leave for the hospital.  So, I'm going to cook a roast again with carrots and noodles. 

Monday - Pork Chops, Mac and Cheese, Green Beans, and Applesauce

Tuesday - Chicken Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Peas and Rolls

Wednesday - Pizza!

Thursday - Baked Pork Chops and Rice, Broccoli, and Biscuits

Desserts and Cookies:  The "Best" Apple Crisp, Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies, and Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies (for real!)

Homemade Banana Bread :-)

Weekly Menu - A New Normal

This is a normal week.  I'm not sure when I wrote that last and meant it.  The coming week is just, well, normal.  My mom has returned home as of today and we already miss having her close.  Darryl returns from his trip today.  Next week we will hunker down into school and after school activities.  I'm not quite sure what to do with that normal but we'll just keep moving alone and see how we do!

Friday - Darryl returns tonight but I'm not sure when.  Tonight we are just eating frozen pizza. 

Saturday - Amish Chicken, Noodles,Green Beans, and Rolls.  A good comfort meal after some busy days.

Sunday - It's time for a roast.  Roast, potatoes, carrots and biscuits!  Later in the evening, we'll make some homemade pizza.

Monday - Baked potato bar and open faced ham sandwiches.

Tuesday - Chicken Alfredo over Cheese Ravioli, garlic bread and green beans

Wednesday - AWANA starts tonight for the boys and Darryl often has practice.  Dinner needs to be quick, kid friendly, but something I enjoy too. Tacos is the choice for this week - something we all like and its easy to make!

Thursday - Cheesy Chicken Divan Casserole, Salad and French Bread

I'm really ready for the cool fall days that dip into the cold days of winter where I can warm up the house just by cooking a really good dinner.  I also love the way that a good roast can make the whole house smell so good!!  I am just a little amazed that we are nearing the end of September already though.  This year is slipping away!

Weekly Menu

This past week summer ended.  School started.  As is always the case the first week or so of school takes me off guard with the amount of work it takes to keep two boys on track and half way happy during school time; how little I am able to accomplish in a given day; how tired I am at the end of the day.  For that reason, I haven't written much anything this past week!  I always figure that writing out the menu is a good place to get back into it so here's the coming weeks menu.

My husband is taking off on a "once in a lifetime" trip with his dad.  No, they aren't going anywhere exotic or far, far away but they are taking a week and exploring the East Coast together - something they have never done.  It's also my mom's last week at the campground.  Plus more of our "things" start like Swimming Lessons and Thursday school so I'm keeping it ultra simple this week.

Friday - Darryl and I will be attending a wedding rehearsal for a wedding we are playing in so dinner is provided.  The boys are hanging out with Nana

Saturday - We have the wedding to attend.  Dinner will be after the wedding but I'm not sure where we will eat afterwards before heading back to the campground for a campfire and smores.

Sunday - Today is the official start to Football season (yes I know the 1st game was really on Thursday but this is SUNDAY!)  So, I thought it was time for some football food.  Teriyaki Wings, Fruit Dip and Fruit, Corn Dip and chips, and and some dessert.

Monday - I'm voting for burgers at Applebees before swimming if my mom agrees :-)

Tuesday - Slow Cooker Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans (Yes, I will cook!)

Wednesday - Our last Wednesday were we get to have dinner with my mom :-)

Thursday - Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, Rice and Beans.