Date Night!

Love must be fed and nurtured...first and foremost it demands time.~ David Mace


So yesterday, Josh calls me to remind me he is golfing with his "crew" after work.  I can't remember the name of the course, just a new one designed by Justin Leonard.  Anyways, he makes a comment of hanging out with the guys for a little while afterwards and having a beer.  A little irritated since everyone has bad days or days that start off on the wrong foot.  So I half-jokingly make the comment, "Then when you get home, I think I'll go have a drink." to which he replies, "Why don't you make dinner for the kids and I'll take you out to dinner."  Really, I have 4 kids.  1 of who relies on me for meals, and by rely on me, I mean I personally store her milk. And then there is bath time, babysitting and clean-up.  This is all running through my head in about a 5 second pause.  But all that comes out is "It all depends on when Ian get's home."  "No, it doesn't depend on anything.  Ian can watch the girls for 30 minutes until bedtime and will pick you up and take you to dinner". WOW!  I kind of like being told what to do :) 

Fast forward to Ian getting home.  I have dinner prepared, let him get a big plate and then ask him if he minds if his dad takes me on a date?  If he would watch the girls for a little while?  "Sure, mom".  AWESOME. Totally awesome kid! It's bad enough that I will find every excuse in the book to not do anything for myself, so having Josh "lay down the law" and Ian be so willing made for a nice evening. 

So Josh picks me up at 7:30 (bedtime is 8pm, Ashlynn is already asleep) and we head out to dinner, then to pick up our movie tickets (Red) and spend the time in between competing at vidoe games and such at Dave & Buster's.  Simple, yet we connected better last night than we have in a long time.  Conversation was great, no spat's and he even surprised me with sneaking in a little desert to the movie...Cheesecake Factory cheesecake.  YUMMY!!  We got home a bit late, bedtime at 0100 for me is never a good thing, but I would do it all over again :) 


And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)

BrocoLLI!

For those of you unwilling (or if the mere thought induces a gag reflex) to try some brocolli, have I got the recipe for you! Now I myself am not an avid green-crown-gas-inducing vegetable eater, but I gotta tell you, this one takes the cake. Not only is it good but I could have eaten the entire pound of it all by myself!

PARMESEAN BROCOLLI

1 16 oz bag frozen brocolli crowns (I'm not a fan of the stems)
1/2 stick butter (I don't do that Dehydrogenated soy"What did you say?" stuff)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesean cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Cook the brocolli as directed. Mix the bread crumbs, cheese and garlic. Melt the butter, pour onto the brocolli. Sprinkle the crumb mix on, stir and rewarm just a bit.

YUUMMMM FREAKIN YUMMY!! I should of doubled the recipe :)

Welcome back!

Never thought my days would be so chock full of "fun and excitement" that I would lose the time to journal my life's journey. I find myself either doing laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, running errands, playing "driver" to Ian (who should have his license come December), bathing, reading, helping with homework, or just plain passed-out by 9pm. The life of a busy mom, right?! Oh, and I LOVE every last minute of it! How blessed I am to have 4 beautiful children and to be home with them at least 5 out of 7 days. Never did I imagine I would have the opportunity to be the mom I dreamed of :) Now don't get me wrong, it's not all fun and games. I have no clue how either of my grandmother's were able to maintain such order with 5 kids each! And let's remember, only one parent worked and they only had 1 car. Although if only Josh had the car I would probably be less busy since I wouldn't be able to drive anyone anywhere :) Oh...how sad Ian would be!

Ashlynn is growing by leaps and bounds weighing in at 16 lbs by 6 months! She is a hearty eater, mainly still just breast milk but I have started some fruit and veggies occasionally at meal time. She and I are taking a plane ride to NY in a few weeks to visit my family and celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday.

Abby started kindergarten and is the apple of our eye! She is doing fantastic and will be recognized as Character Kid of the Month for her class on Friday!! She is looking forward to going to the Celina pumpkin farm as a field trip :) She is also taking the CogAT test (for gifted and talented) next month.

Keara...well, she has shown me that without Abby's influence, she is one smart cookie and a well behaved little girl. A big helper to me during the day and loves to read and color. Of course, in the dirt or on a bike is really where she wants to spend all her time.

Ian is fairing well, struggling in a couple of his AP classes, but he is putting forth all of his effort. He's playing Running Back and OLB for the Varsity Football. Soccer will be next, starts up in January. Yea...34 degree games.

All in all, we are blessed. Life always comes with struggles, but I keep my eye on the prize and remember that my Heavenly Father will take care of my needs. The rest is just fluff.

Praise Him in all we do, give to those even less fortunate than we are. JOY. Jesus Others Yourself.