Joyful days in July...

I am happy to report that we are doing well and have had a good week.
Now that we have that rough week behind us, I need to post some of the joyful moments we have had!
Here are some sweet photos of our visit to the Atlanta zoo with NeNe (Papa stayed back home),Aunt Sam,Marlee and Brady. It was actually Parker's 3rd visit to the zoo. But it was the first time he left talking about it and asking to go back! On the way to the zoo, Parker said he wanted to see the Cows (LOL);so we had to have a discussion that we will only see the cows if we go visit NeNe and Papa! We would have to look for Monkey's, Elephants, Pandas and more. Kaden and Brady enjoyed most of it sleeping away in their strollers. It was a great visit-HOT-but memorable indeed.

(A precious moment I captured of sweet friends)

The following weekend was the 4th of July and we enjoyed it to the fullest with Uncle Rick and Aunt LaLa. We made homemade calzones and then went to DQ for ice-cream. It was the perfect spot to end the night watching the local fireworks! Kaden was out about 10 minutes before they started! But he was a great trooper for celebrating his first 4th of July.

(Aunt LaLa, Baby Kai (in belly) & UncleRick)

4th of July, we had a BBQ with some of our Syracuse friends! It was a great time swimming and catching up. Parker and Kaden were both great sports since we were away for most of the day. Parker and Kaden had a fun time meeting Hunter. Hunter was born 2 months before Kaden and you can see there is NOT a big differnce in their size LOL.

Parker and Kaden have been interacting a ton by making "spitting" noises at each other. Not mommies first pick~ but it is SO funny to hear Kaden LAUGH uncontrollably at Parker! The moment Parker gets up in Kaden's face he starts laughing. I captured it on video and I am in the midst of trying to find my camera {sigh} I can't find it-please pray I do find it so I can upload the latest. Until I find it, I am soaking up the sweet memories and brotherly love as Parker and Kaden interact! It melts my heart, when Parker just walks up to Kaden and kisses him!  It is SO precious to see them becoming playmates!  Just another one of the joys I find in being a stay at home mom...simple yet so joyful.

Preppy little boy Kaden (almost 7 months)~starting to wear some of big brother's clothes.

I LOVED this outfit on Parker

(Parker-7 months old wearing the plaid pants)

                                                                           

Next week we will fit in a few more play days with some friends and then it is back to reality around here. However...we have very special friends moving here the beginning of Aug! My best friend Joy, and her family will be moving here the second week of Aug. I am like a "little child waiting for Christmas morning!" So exciting that it is actually happening and I am SO excited to say that it is another one of my "dreams" coming true! We will be hosting them for 1 week before they completely move into their apt. It is such a joy to know that however long God allows them to stay (and we hope for a LONG time); our little boys will finally be able to play together often! Joy and I can finally go out again for donuts and coffee, go for walks, shop together and most of all just be together again. To all my local friends-Don' worry! She is not taking up space from the friendship I share with you; she will be adding a ton of JOY to each of your lives! We are so excited for the Ashworth family to move here! Counting down till the 13th of Aug....Now before then we have SO much to do!

Only 10 more days of July left and we are really trying to soak up the time together as a family.
School starts for Parker on Aug. 17th. We will have him in 3 year old pre-school at BHBC and we are looking forward to another great year. He will be going 3days a week this year! We have alot to do to prepare for that big week!
Praying you are having a good week too and finding JOY in the simple things.
Jenn :)

"Terrible,Horrible, No Good, Very Bad' Weekend....

I actually LOVE the Book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,Very Bad Day! It is so funny to read of all the "awful" things that go wrong in the world of a 5 year old. Oh to be a kid again, because those problems seem SO little compared to life today.
Well, I believe that we all have our moments like a day that Alexander had.  However, I do believe that in life situations-God wants us to learn something. Even if it is moments that we do not ever want to repeat.
Well, last weekend was an "Alexander" weekend for us. Definite emotions were- "No Good, Very Bad!"
I miss our family and wish we lived closer, especially after the rough road we were on. Sometimes, I wish they were just a 5 minute ride away. But thank goodness for great friends reaching out we made it through!

Parker has been recovering from an ear infection.When he is ill-we might as well, all be ill! It took 2 antibiotics to knock it out of him.

 Friday, we were headed to see a friend and he screamed and threw his sippy cup at me in the van.(Still not sure why he was SO angry); I was completely shocked at the flying object, and  jerked the van, causing me to hit a mailbox! Not a pretty moment~I sscratched up the mirror and chipped the outer exterior, and  busted a neighbor's mailbox! Thankfully I was only going about 20 miles (but still-so humbling and so upsetting that I harmed a neighbor's mailbox). If my son had not been upset would it have happened? Probably not. -However,I can't change the past. Going forward we no longer have a sippy cup while mommy drives. I stopped and  talked to the neighbors and told them we will take care of it. (Parker got punished later for his inappropriate behavior.) Mike felt so sympathetic to the rough week, he came home with a card for me. He promised to take me shopping later in the weekend and also get me a be-lated anniversary gift! It was so encouraging after the rough day I had. The rest of the weekend was hopefully going to be a fun one and clearly nothing could go worse! 

Haha....
Saturday, I took Parker, to Kayleigh's birthday party. He was still really sick, and didn't enjoy it to the fullest. We left early and headed home. Mike and I had date day with our small group! After the rough day on Friday, little did I know 2 months prior when we planned it, how much I/we would really need "Date Day!"

We had a sitter for the day, and were headed to a local lake to go boating and tubing. It was indeed SO relaxing and SO much fun. All good things have to end but just before we wrapped up the night we took one last boat ride and did some tubing. This time I got to tube with Rebekah! I handed my wedding rings to Mike and got in the lake. Let's just say only one of my rings made it back on my finger. My anniversary band (that matches my set-I got it for our 5th anniversary). The other 2 that were soddered together, never made it back on my finger. I will let you imagine the heartache and shock when we could not find them! Mike is VERY responsible and it was an innocent mistake! We think they are in the lake. I am not upset with Mike. I am sad at the sentimental value and loss.  Now where do we go from here? We called insurance Monday and checked  on our policy.
We have a little coverage on it-but not the full value. So, we are in the midst of waiting to hear back from our insurance company.
Our 10th anniversary is 2 years away and Mike was planning on upgrading my set-so now I am cherishing my anniversary band and looking forward to the next set. However, it is a stab in the heart that my original set is gone. I know that it is an earthly possession-but it is something very special to me. Mike feels horrible about the whole event and I don't think he will ever be able to forgive himself. I already have forgiven him and I know he will make it up to me in a couple of years!
In the bigger picture-yes, we lost my rings. But we still have each other, we have 2 healthy boys, Mike has a great job, we have a roof over our heads and a God who never changes.
Thankfully when we were out boating no one got injured and we still have each other! It is easy to type all this-but sometimes when I look at my missing wedding ring, I get tears. Nothing can replace the ring that a woman says "YES" to, on the day the man of your dreams proposes! Oh the memories I have.~I am thankful I still have a photo of that ring. We now know that when I get my next wedding ring, we have to have a Personal Article Policy just on my ring and then we can get FULL coverage. If you don't have a Personal Article Policy or private insurance on your diamond-get it for your wedding ring!
Trying to move on with life and praying that God will at least have insurance cover what we are suppose to get. We will just put it away till our 10th anniversary! And YES-I will get a nice upgrade! Thanks to many of you on that little tip of advice...but in the bigger picture it doesn't matter to me. I am still sad and trying to make the best of all that God has blessed me with even in the tough times.
Monday morning the battery on my van was dead, but thankfully-we got a full warranty with Toyota so I called the Roadside Assistance. They came and jumped it! I am SO glad that the battery did not die when I was out in public somewhere with the boys!
After the long, discouraging weekend, my dad reminded me of Philippians 4: 4-7 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I think Little Alexander, just needed a good reminder that Jesus is always near and he just needed a little extra prayer. I am forever grateful for this comfort that I can find daily and most of all during rough weeks like last week.
 I begged many for prayers this past weekend and we appreciate ALL the love and prayers!
Tuesday -Thursday have been uneventful GOOD, days! We are really clinging to the uneventful days right now.
Here are some photos of the FUN times we had with NeNe and Papa.
 In one way ~I am glad none of this occurred while they were here. It would have really put a damper on their visit.
So, we are reflecting on some of the fun we had and pressing on and praying that we don't have another"Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad" weekend again or for a LONG, LONG time!
Jenn :)

(Somebody was sad that NeNe and Papa were leaving...)

We celebrated Papa's birthday (but Mike and Parker love to call him "Cowboy")

Parker giving Ne Ne her Mother's Day present.

We had an apron made and handstamped the boys prints on it.

(Eventually all the Riese Grandkids will have their hands printed on it.)

Hmm-a 6month old and handpaint???

We agreed to have all the grandkids be around 2 before working with paint on this apron~LOL

Parker checking out his new bike from NeNe and Papa

Dinner time with NeNe

Mike and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary while they were down here...

We got out to Maggiano's (and a night away) and got a free dessert entre' compliments of the restaurant!

 

We have SO much fun with NeNe and Papa.

We miss you and can't wait to see you again!

Love,

Mike, Jenn Parker and Kaden :)

6 months and 2 teeth

That is right~Our sweet-pea, Baby Kaden, is 6 months old! 

He celebrated this big milestone by getting his first two teeth the week before he was 6 months-YIKES!

I was not ready for that. Parker was 7 or 8 months old, before his first two teeth came in.
Then again,everything has been advanced with Kaden, since his early arrival at birth!  I guess I am preparing myself now, that he will be walking before he is 15 months (which is when Parker first walked).
It was SO special to have Mike's parents here for a week and watch them get to interact with Kaden. They last saw Kaden, when he was just 1 week old. So much has changed since then.
 Therefore, they got to see a whole new side of him!
Kaden is such a happy chunk of love! He shocked me at the Pediatrician's office.
NeNe (a.k.a.Grandma Riese), and I took Kaden to his 6 month well visit on Tuesday, and he was SO good considering he got 2 shots!

 

Kaden is 19lbs 7oz /ok....basically-20 lbs! So that puts him in the 75% for weight (average weight of an 8 month old) & he is 29inches long putting him in the 90% for height (average height of a 10 month old). I really thought he was 22 lbs! He is bigger then Parker ever was at 6 months. Dr. McGee thinks he will slow down on the weight once he gets more mobile. She is NOT concerned at all about his weight. I was starting to get worried that he was going to be 40 lbs by his first birthday!

I am officially done nursing {sigh}. But I am not sad for the changes that had to be made. Putting him on formula has really helped with his reflux. It is so nice to just pack a bottle and go. I am very grateful that we get coupons in the mail just about the time we run out of his formula.

Kaden LOVES to interact and try to play with Parker. He grins from cheek to cheek when P is near!

I can not wait to see him really interact in a few more months.
He is sleeping GREAT now. We put him to bed between 8 and 8:30 and he sleeps till 5:30 or 6. I am trying to wean him of that first wake up. He goes back to sleep after a bottle and is usually up by 7:30 AM and back down for his AM nap by 9:30. He and Parker are both on the same afternoon napping schedule. I am so grateful for that!! P.T.L. Parker usually naps from 2-5 and Kaden is usually in that same time frame~ give or take an hour.
We have had a fun June and I will post another entry of our many adventures with NeNe and Papa.
Just had to get Kaden's latest up (for my records).
Here are few photos of Kaden's First 4th of July. He was a great trooper. We have not seen fireworks the past 2 years. So, we took him to the local fireworks...but 5 minutes before they began he was out! And then WIDE-EYED when the big "BANG" began! He handled them well for being just a 6 month old!

 We hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day and have appreciated the freedom we have in America.

*Here is a quick video of Kaden (very happy that we dipped his hands in green paint) we were making Ne-Ne's apron.

It is hilarious!

Happy 6 Months Baby Kaden,
We love you!
Mommy & Daddy

Eight Years Ago

Today, I said "I DO" to the love of my life and dear husband!
Yahoo says our gift should be a medal!
(This year it is suppose to be something Bronze) ~But we don't really follow the list.
So, anyone who makes it to 8 years should get an award!
UMMM! OK??! As society says....we made it through the "7 Year" itch!
Well, the day we married we made a promise and a commitment to God and each other!
Divorce is NOT an option and NO the journey has not been "a bowl of cherries" but we have had God and each other to get through the tough times!
So, what shall we do to celebrate this "Supposedly" big milestone?
Well, we usually just go out and have dinner-but this year we are taking some special, MUCH needed time for us!

Mike's parents are in town but Mike has a crazy week at work. So we are fitting in some time for us around his quarter closing and my in-laws departure on Friday!  Wed we are going downtown to a special restaurant, and taking advantage of seeing a movie TOGETHER! (We usually see movies with friends and not each other.) Then we will be using some of our Marriott Rewards and spending the time away! No 5AM wake up from Baby Kaden. (Please pray he sleeps great for my in-laws!)! Life is busy with 2 kids and we are so grateful to get some time away!

I am so grateful to God for allowing me to be Mike's wife. Mike has been such a godly example to me and has put up with my "imperfections" and I can not thank him enough! He is not perfect either, but I do have a harder time finding those imperfections in him (hee-hee) but "Love keeps no record of wrongs!" 1 Corinthians 13

We are grateful to God for the role-models in our lives, our parents!
We can't wait to see our marriage at 34 and 40 years!!

Happy Anniversary,Honey!
I love you,
Your Sweet-Lips

First photo (Summer of 1999)

Engaged....8/18/01

Wedding Day~6/29/02

2 years after marriage.(2004)..and still the same us... LOL

 

 5 years married (2007) and 1 kid later...aging a little bit more!

Happy family of 4, Eight years later

One BIG Dream and one BIG Prayer Request!

Every girl has hopes and dreams. Growing up, it was SO much fun to sit and dream about what I was wishing for. I will just say that many of my dreams have come true!  Now that I have grown up "a little," my dreams have turned into prayers. I have seen God say, yes to some, wait, and no to some!
But I have had one very special prayer request since 2006. I am in the midst of seeing this dream/prayer coming true! However, God is answering it in a way that I would have never dreamed! It involves a very,very dear friend! I can honestly call her a "best friend". She has been my support, encouragement, confidant, listening ear etc. you get what type of friend I am talking about!

Meet my dear friend, Lorelei!

                       Let me share her story, her dream  and even mine that we have been praying for.

Lorelei and her husband, Rick  have had a desire to be parents for a short time! 

Ah not true...actually they have been trying to be parents for a LONG 7years!  

Their journey to parenthood has not been the "normal" journey. They found out about 6 years ago that there were some fertility problems. They were told the best way for them to have a  baby was through In vitro Fertilisation. They only had a 1-5% chance of ever conceiving naturally. So, their journey with fertility treatment began.

In 2006 they signed up for 3 tries with In-vetro. Their first try was in the winter of 2006 and it was exciting and shocking news!  "Congratulations! You are pregnant... with TRIPLETS!"

YIKES! WOW! WHAT???!

About the time that the realization had sunk in that they would be parents of 3 babies, tragedy occurred!  At just 20 weeks-God took the triplet boys home. As any parent can imagine it was devastating! And yes, this long awaited dream was shattered...and continued to grow heavier on their hearts!

They grieved and grieved and grieved. But they dealt with the loss of the boys amazingly well. They participated in a support group, reached out to others in the same situation, shared their story with others and pressed on! Yet, never once have we forgotten their boys. We still have moments where we talk about them and wonder what they would be like. We look forward to meeting them in Heaven again.

Their second try for a baby took place last year and there was no success. (sigh).
They were planning to try for their 3rd and final try in the spring of this year.
BUT God did the "IMPOSSIBLE!"
(Do you have goose bumps yet? You know what I am about to write?!)
 They got pregnant on their own in Feb!
 God IS the God of Miracles. Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." This is just one way I think God shows his power by answering this BIG prayer!  This has been my "other" dream/ prayer since we became friends in 2006! I have longed for her to be a mommy (and Rick a daddy).
 Lorelei is my friend that is: so self sacrificing, drops her plans to help me when she can, nurtures my own boys when the are in her care, accepts  them almost as her own, spoils them like CRAZY, and loves them. Never once has she shown resentment toward me for having babies. Often friends can get so envious of what the other has. Not Lorelei!
Her love and care for our boys has been so special to us! Not having family around has been easier on us because they have filled that gap.
Well, there is MORE News!
Here is the BIG Prayer Request:
They just had their 20 week visit and it is a BOY due on 10/31!
BUT-they got some devastating news at what was suppose to be "perfect 20 week check-up."
Little Baby Boy, Hoeye has Spina Bifida
What? A medical illness?
OK! Rewind~Didn't I just share that this is my dream for my friend to just be a mommy and finally have a baby? I did! And I have been praying for this prayer for 4 years! I guess I wasn't clear with God! I meant a Healthy, Perfect baby!
 Ah-God heard my prayers. I know he did! He answered in HIS time!
Jeremiah 33:3  'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
This is all part of HIS plan!
Oh-right. God's ways are not always our ways!
(Easier to hear then often to live).
Wow~this is a little angel that is perfect in God's eyes!
Baby Hoeye has been knit perfectly together in his mommy's belly. God already has his whole life planned. ~Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
He does not no any other life. His life is perfect and  in God's eyes he IS perfect!
Psalm 145 talks about the Lord being good to all he has created; and the passage ALSO talks about the Lord hearing our cry.
It is a very comforting passage to me at this time. I am just her friend, and though I am not going through it-I am still on this journey and want to be of support to her!
Well, their 20 week appointment did not give them the news that they or anyone would want to hear!

Lorelei posted an article on her FB page that talks about what it is like to have a child with special needs!This is somewhat what is happening to their dream...and they are accepting it, getting ready to move on and give Baby Hoeye the best world that they can give him!
(Here is the article)
 Welcome to Holland

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 guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, the Michelangelo David, the gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After 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 some horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy a new guidebook. 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, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips, 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."
The pain of that will never, ever, go away, because 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.
Written by Emily Perl Kingsley

I feel SO inadequate at times, because my life does seem so perfect (yet it is far from it) compared to her world!   Lorelei reassures me that I am doing everything I can do for her. It is just a healing process and a waiting window now.
Today, they are seeing the neurosurgeon who will be performing surgery on their little boy! I am praying that the news is not more severe then last week!
Will you please sign up here and commit to pray for Baby Hoeye and his family?



I will keep you posted on their journey.
Feel free to share this prayer with others and Link them to this sign up list!
 I would love to have 24 prayer warriors for the 24 hours in the day. 
She is in the midst of working on a blog, but is still going through the emotions and shocking news.
In the meantime, you can look her and Rick up on FB *(Lorelei-Lori Oates Hoeye/Rick Hoeye) or send her and Rick a card.
 If you want their address or email please contact me and I will get it to you!
I only know that God wants me to be a comfort and support for her. It is my job to pray and I am seeking some special prayer warriors for them! I know that some of you have been in their shoes!

Thank you in advance to those of you who have been praying for them.
I will continue to keep you updated on their journey.
Thanks for letting me share a dream and a BIG Prayer request.
Keep following our blog for an update on Baby Hoeye!
Seeking Him,
Jenn
( and the Hoeyes  too!)

BBQ Chicken Pizza (Monday Meals)

We LOVE pizza and what family doesn't? I love Pizza even more when I know it is healthy!
Here is what we had last night for our Monday Meals dinner :)
(My battery was dead on our family camera-so my apologies-these are photos from my cell phone!)
BBQ Chicken Pizza was HUGE success with Parker. I am sure because it was called "PIZZA" he happily ate it!
Here is my long awaited secret! I have homemade Cal zones that everyone LOVES! It is the dough that is the key. This dough is used in our house for homemade pizza too! So here is my secret recipe below-but not everyone wants to slave over homemade dough! (The key is a Kitchen-Aid Mixer!)
It really makes the process easy and I love homemade dough-it is healthier!
I have made this dough since Mike and I were first married.
The crust calls for 2 & 1/2 Cups of All Purpose flour. I know that there is NOTHING nutritious about white flour. So, I experimented last night and used 1 cup of whole wheat flour and the dough raised and it tasted fabulously "healthy!"

I use the weight watchers BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe as the main recipe for this pizza.

• The only thing I do differently is I add beans on the pizza. I would love to use black beans, but Parker won't eat Black beans.
•  I cook the onion with my chicken
• Instead of buying the recommended crust I made mine.

 I think I will continue to make homemade wheat dough for this recipe.

I had a happy little helper last night. Anytime Parker sees me get out my grandmother's rolling pin he gets curious. I love this rolling pin.
There are sweet memories (or shall I say yummy pies), that were made with this rolling pin! My Grandma Clark was a fabulous cook and baker. I had 2 fabulous grandmothers and each one were excellent bakers. I think I may have inherited their love of baking and cooking from them :) Therefore, I am thrilled to have grandma's rolling pin. Thanks mom for passing it on to me :)

A special note: If you have a Kitchen-Aid Mixer this will be an easy and nutritious crust for homemade pizza! I LOVE my Kitchen-Aid Mixer. It is one of my sweetest possessions that I own. Mike got it for me our first Christmas after we were married. It is still the best gift he has ever gotten me! (I think!?) I use it at least 3-4 times a week. So, that is why my friends call me -"Jenny Crocker!"

So, here is the long awaited secret recipe for my homemade pizza dough!
Jenn's Homemade Pizza Crust
2&1/2 -3 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
*(or 1 Cup of Whole Wheat flour and 1&1/2 -2 Cups of All-Purpose)
1TBSP Sugar
1tsp salt
2 tsp Mrs. Dash (Garlic & Herb Seasoning) (MY SECRET)
1pkg Rapid Rise Yeast
3TBSP Olive Oil
1 Cup very warm water (about 120 degrees)
Directions:

• In large mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of flour, sugar, seasoning, salt and yeast.
• Add oil and warm water. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes, scraping bowl frequently.
• Stir in enough remaining flour until dough is soft and leaves the sides of the bowl.
• Place dough on lightly floured surface.
• Knead 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and springy.
• Cover loosely with plastic with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Prepare crust in 2 pans for thin crust or 1 large sheet pan for thicker crust.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 7 minutes
• Add sauce and toppings and bake for additional 7-10 minutes or until crust is lightly brown on edges.

(I did add green peppers to this-Parker doesn't mind them:)
• ENJOY

Feel free to join us on the Monday Meals adventure! What did your family have for dinner last night?
Sign up here to share and gain some great recipes.
http://www.linkytools.com/basic_link_entry_form.aspx?id=30590


Jenn :)

Happy Father's Day; Dad, Mike and Dad R!

Today is a day that I celebrate three very special men in my life!

1. My Dad

He is a godly, loving, compassionate, tender-hearted, trustworthy, hardworking, discerning, husband, father Grandpa and Pastor! My dad has been a pastor my whole life. I am so proud to be his daughter and blessed to have him to look up to! I will never forget the day my Kindergarten teacher asked what my daddy did. I told my teacher, in front of the whole class, that my daddy was a pastor. She then asked me to explain what a pastor did! I made it very clear that "he spoke to people in church, visited people from the church, and talked on the phone all day!" LOL ~my view and appreciation of my dad's role as a Pastor has definitely changed since Kindergarten! Today, if I was asked what my dad did as a pastor, my answer would probably be this; to train, teach and preach the Gospel to a lost world; while mentoring, counseling and supporting the body of Christ. :) I know it is NOT a job that any man can do. It is very humbling and self-sacrificing to be in full time ministry. Yet, I have seen God bless our family above and beyond because my dad continued to stay faithful and serve the Lord even in the toughest times! (Trust me~ we went through many trials!) I am so proud to be one of my dad's 4 girls. I have never taken it for granted but have grown to appreciate it more and more. Above all-thank you for Dad, for being a great role model to your four son-in-laws, 5 grandsons and your sweet little grand-daughter Grace! Happy Father's Day -We all love you!

                                   

2. My Husband

He is a godly, fun, loving, energetic, outgoing, FRUGAL, FRUGAL, trustworthy, optimistic, excitable, VERBAL, patient, son, husband and daddy! I do not thank him enough for choosing me to be his wife! I am working on this! As I reflect on the past 8 years of marriage (and 2 & 1/2 years of dating), I have seen him blossom from YOUNG, free-spirited, enthusiastic, to the list above! WOW~I am really blown away! (Mike.I know you don't like me buying you gifts-but I know how much you love gifts that come from my heart so here it goes! And all my blogging friends get to hear it on this special day!)

"Dear Mike,

I am so proud of your accomplishments the last 8 years. You have worked SO hard to be a strong supporter for us spiritually, emotionally and your favorite ...financially! I think the other two roles (spiritual and emotional) come naturally since you take finances very seriously! You know what God's word says about it, you work with finances every day in the corporate world, and you and I have experienced the tough times in finances! God is continuing to bless us because of your lead and guidance in this area! I know how much you long to see us debt free and I am excited for that day! Thank you for all that you are teaching Parker and Kaden already! I know you have a passion to help others financially and we all know you can't wait to meet your hero-Dave Ramsey! We are half -way through the Financial Peace University Class-and I am glad we are taking it! I can't wait to see the debt fade away so we can really "live" and serve the Lord later with all that he has blessed us with!

The last 3 years you have taken on one of the biggest roles and that is, Dad! After a hard day at work, you walk in the door and perform “DAD 110% "! Seldom do we get to reflect on your work day, because P and K are demanding of your time and you give it! Thank you for being a great example to me and never complaining! Thank you for never giving up on me and never cheating out on your role and not wanting to be "Dad!" I know Parker and Kaden really love you! I really LOVE you and I am proud to be your wife and have you as the daddy of our boys!"

Happy Father's Day!

XO~

(Your Sweetlips, Parker and Kaden)

                                    

(Father's Day -6/20/2010)

I would not have my dear husband if he had not had his role model growing up, his Dad!

3. My Father-In-Law / (Dad R. a.k.a. as Cowboy and Papa)

He is a godly, fun, energetic, excitable, hardworking, patient (worrier of his kids (in a good way)-sorry I had to say that), trusting, personable, compassionate son, husband and father to 3 great sons, and grandpa!
I find it a great honor to be his daughter-in-law! He treats me just like his own. (My in-laws were blessed with 3 boys-and no daughters. So that is why I think we get such royal treatment!) There is never a dull moment whenever we visit with my -in-laws or vice/ versa. My Father-in-law, spoke at our wedding and gave a charge to Mike and me. I will never forget his last sentence..."I am as proud as a peacock!" And we can say that we are "proud as peacocks" to have you as our Dad, and Papa, to Parker and Kaden! We are excited for your visit the end of the week and can't wait for many more memories! Happy Father's Day~ we all love you!

                                    

A "Lemonicious" Pesto Chicken Sauce (Monday Meals)

It's time for another Monday Meals recipe! I can't wait to see what is cooking in your kitchen.


Who wants to turn on the oven in 95 degree heat? NOT ME! It has been to HOT to even want to attempt to cook-but we have to eat! So, lately I am doing quick meals on the stove or we are grilling.
I love the look of fresh lemons, I love the smell of fresh lemons and I love the added zing they give to an entree'! Every time I see lemons, I think of my grandma's homemade Lemon Meringue Pie! It reminds me of summer.
When I started teaching at NCCS, I ran across a recipe for a homemade Lemon Chicken Pasta on the back of a pasta box! It took time to make (and I don't have that valuable time right now).
I am so excited that I can still make my Lemon Chicken Pasta with a new friend~ Knorr Pesto Mix! They have a recipe almost identical to the one I used to make. This is a great meal to take to a family too! It is a great pasta dish that most families love. (And of course you can make it 10 different ways with all the kinds of pasta out there! LOL).
Knorr's Pesto Sauce takes 20 minutes total. I love that I can doctor up the sauce (with vegetables) and it tastes just like my homemade recipe. There is something about fresh smelling lemons in homecooked food!
I need to mention one special thing; this is a great sauce if you can not have marina. I could not have anything acidic or tomato based while I was strictly nursing Kaden. (This recipe only has 2 TBSP so the lemon is not overpowering). Kaden had/has a sensitive stomach and it was SO hard to find things that I could eat with out it bothering him. This did not bother him!

Here is the recipe from Knorr for Lemon Pesto Chicken Sauce!

This meal only costs about $10.00 to make for a family of 4. (If you can get the chicken breasts on sale.)

• I took advantage of buying the Pasta (when it was BOGO free)!

• I used Rigatoni noodles and Parker LOVED them.

• I added sugar snap peas and he ate ALL of it!

I forgot to get a final photo-but here is the sauce cooking away.

Next time you see those yummy lemons grab two for this awesome meal!

I hope you get a chance to make it soon.

Food for thought:

1. Lemon juice applied to the the skin can prevent sunburns!

2. Lemons can help store memory and recall information! (WOW!)

I read some very interesting facts about the power of the lemon. Check it out Lemon Facts


OK...So I have to post some "Summer time" photos! I am busy and don't have all this time to post a ton of entries so here are two recents of  the boys! So far the sunblock is working great. May have to try the lemons some time!

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