test from phone

This may sound picky but I would love for Terry to freshen up his wardrobe - really Im so done with his old man button up.

At 9:00 today, Jacob and I will be attending his K-3 orientation morning, complete with circle time, bible story and snacks. He's beyond excited, sweet little guy woke up at 5:30, and quietly asked "is it time for school" and then rolled back over and slept till 7:30.

I'm amazed at how quickly this day has come, it was just over 3 years ago that I was still waddling around this house pregnant with my sweet baby boy but he isn't so much a baby anymore. He's growing taller and taller by the minute and is just so full of life. His new teacher mailed him a letter inviting him to orientation and it mentioned that during the year they would go on many adventures and one just happened to be walking on the moon, which Jake replied, "how cool, Mama".

School already but he's not even three yet so many say to me, he'll turn three in two weeks but he's so going to love it. Call in Mama's intuition but I know that he's just going to thrive and love every minute of learning. He can count to 10 and say his ABC very sporaticly but has his Mama's talent of remember every word to every song he hears - it's just going to be a good thing for everyone.

But school - even though it's K-3, there's a daily workbook lesson in lanuage and math and a structured schedule so yeah it's school for a 3 year old and that's tough for this Mama to swallow at times.

I'm sure there want be any tears today but a week from this Monday, I'm sure there will be as I drive away from leaving my boy at school

We heading off to Gulf Shores this afternoon after orientation and won't return until next Friday. So I'll be MIA, but that should be anything diffrent about these parts.

Much love girls - and yes I've been reading along in everyone's journal...very silently.

VBS has left left me very busy but very fulfilled. Tonight is the last night of class and Family night is tomorrow.
I promise a real post this weekend, including pictures of Jake at VBS and a recap of his first time rotating into music and crafts class. He is loving it and can't wait to perform on stage at Family night. He's made crafts everynight and is so proud, he even asked Mommy to bring his bible pal bookmark to work w/me today. I've hung it on my bullentin board w/his pictures.

Woke up to a huge singing ballon that Jacob picked out at the grocery store and a "get well soon" Mickey card that he also picked out. Terry scratched throught the inside writing and added Happy Mother's Day. But you could just see that Jacob was so proud of his pick.

Terry has already headed out for work and I'm about to throw Jacob in the bath, as he's covered in syrup from b'fast.

Have a wonderful day, Mommies!!!

Hey girls just wanted to say thanks to those who posted about our anniversary plans. All of your positive input made me even more excited for Friday to roll around.

I ended up spilling the beans about our spa package over the weekend because I wanted Terry to have some time to think about the massage. He's never been to a spa before and I was worried that he might feel strange about going. But he promises me that he's really excited and looking forward to it.

It was funny, when he came to me and started asking me all the questions about the massage. The funniest one was when he asked if he needed to shave his back. Ya'll my hubby does have some back hair, but I told him I was fairly sure they probably had seen worse.

I've seen it posted several times around on my FL as "The Rage" and I totally had it yesterday w/Jake. I posted this story in Amy's journal but it's worth repeating here.

When I picked J up from my Mom's house yesterday, J was playing w/some markers. Actually he was only carrying them around. He has this strange habit of picking out only the "red, blue, purple, yellow" of something and carrying it around "playing wiggle".
I think my kid has a unhealthy addiction to the Wiggles, but that's a whole different post.

I take the markers away because they were actually his cousin's markers. He cried the entire trip home. Begging for the markers.

When we arrived home we pulled into the garage, he looked out to see Terry was already home. He screamed out "Good, daddy get me". So I obliged, I blew the horn had Terry take him up stair and I left to escape some of the toddler drama.

I've been trying to stay busy this week in anticipation that it will just fly by and it seems to be working.
Actually, I've been busy since last weekend. I'm in total VBS planning mode, I've got 2 months to pull this thing off. I had my first directors/teacher meeting last Sunday, I'm still in search of a teacher for my 5/6 grade class and I our Baptist Associational meeting next tuesday that should help me out in the first time Director area. I hope.

I have a horrible habit of procrastinating, especially when I feel overwhelmed and that's been happening lately. But I think I've kicked the devil to the curb, for now and have been getting several things accomplished everyday.

At night I've been working on organizing things to put in our neighborhood yard sale in a couple of weeks.

I've also been trying to make some list of things I should pack to travel with Jacob to Hot Springs the first of May. I've never flown with Jake and this will be our first time to travel alone so I've been stressing a bit too much.

Tomorrow is our Anniversary, it's been 4 years. I've ordered cookies/candy basket to be delivered to Terry's hotel tomorrow and I'm overnighting him a Anniversay card.

I'll finish off with some request for prayers, tomorrow morning my niece Allie is having tonsils removed so if ya'll will keep her in your thoughts tomorrow I'd appreciate it.

ETA...WW last night and I've finally made it to 20lbs lost, now I'm working to lose 10 more :-)

We all had an amazing time...Jacob had a smile on his face the entire day. What can I say, my boy sure loves his Trains!!!

Weather held out and was a nice day, not too hot just cloudy in the morning but sunny by lunch time.

We spent way too much money in the Thomas store, came back with a t-shirt, 2 new Thomas books, a Thomas play tent and a Thomas tooth brush.

( Here's a few pics of Our Day With Thomas )

We had a great Christmas, acutally our house looks like a Toy Store exploded.  My boy is so loved by his family, each and everyone one of them. Jacob never really got the hang of opening the gifts, he seemed to always get distracted by other things around him.  That of course meant there were more presents for his cousin, Allie to open ;-)

We just hanging out at the house today, trying to clean out the "baby" toys to make room for all the new things.  Seriously were going to have to get busy on finishing the downstairs rooms to make a place for all the stuff.  It's insane!!! 

Got to run, I've got hamburger meat ready to go for some Taco Soup. I leave you all with Jacob's Toys (what I can remember off the top of my head).

( List of the haul, behind the cut.  )

Jacob and I enjoyed our first lunch hour together today while Mom had her first Radiation treatment. What fun...we visited this wonderful, wooded playground that I've been dreaming of taken him to ever since I started working on this side of town. We feed the birds and squirles fruit puffs and he examined every leaf and rock in the joint.

Fun times!!!

Everything went great with Mom to. Thanks for all your continued prayers!!!

I've had my head burried in an Insurance Policy all day, I've had a few minutes to check in on everyone but not time to update.

I'm starting to hate all this overtime Terry is working. I've been feeling nostalgic and been missing those carefree days back when we were first married. We would try new and resturants, go on long weekend getaways or just stroll around downtown and soak up the atomosphere.

I'm hoping we can find some time for those things again, just incorporate Jacob and some kid things into the mix.

This weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the whole year, It's Greek Festival time :) I love the food, the music and love the Greek Market with all the fun food and arts and craft items on sale.

I've decided to plan a Family weekend vacation for next month, I'm thinking we'll get away to Chattanoga for a few days and take Jacob to the Aquarium and the maybe Rock City and The Chattanoga Choo-Choo.

And to try and spend some quality time together Terry and I are having date night at home tonight after Jacob goes to bed. I'm not sure what he has planned but he said he will make it special, deal was that I take next Monday and plan something at home for us. I'm game if he is, maybe I'll have a better idea of his idea of "date night at home" and will be able to plan a nice evening.

I could always plan an indoor picnic, we had one our first Valentine's Day after we were married because we both were really sick with the cold/flu.

Hope everyone has a great night.

Hi everyone.

It's been a busy off day, Jacob and I have been playing and cleaning up a storm. He plays while I clean and I stop and take breaks from cleaning to join in on the fun.

We on our way out the door to have lunch wiht my Mom and Grandmother, today is my Mom's birthday and then tonight we are having a small dinner party in my Mom's honor her at the house. I've still got to buy last minute things at the grocery and pick up Mom's cake at Dairy Queen. My Dad is coming over this afternoon and grilling steaks and I'm doing salad and baked potatoes for everyone.

Weekend was quite, Saturday Terry worked overtime so Jacob and I spent the entire day at the Mall. We rode the Carousel twice, pigged out at the foodcourt and spent way too much money. But we had a ball, who said you can't have a fun day at the Mall with a son ;)

Sunday we welcomed our new pastor and said goodbye to our interim with a Pot-luck supper. I fixed a crockpot Italian herbed chicken and mushrooms and it was so yummy. It was just chicken breast, mushrooms, two cans of stewed tomaotes and one can of tomatoes paste and one package of McCormicks Italian Herb slow cooker packet of spices. Terry and I ate the left overs on Sunday night, I piled the chicken and mushrooms on Sub rolls, then topped with cheese and toasted, it was good.


Been busy with the party planning so busy that I've changed my idea of the plates and cups. Instead of doing the clown plates I'm going to do these that I found at Plum Party. I like the idea of this being a real circus theme and not just clowns everywhere. So what do you think?

Link to new partyware....http://www.plumparty.com/partysupplies/16140.html
They have some really great serving pieces that I'm going to order too.

Well I need to run, were going to be late if I don't. Have a great day.

1. Total Number of Books I've Owned:

Gosh, I've no idea the exact number but I'd say around 100. I have one (5 shelf book case full)

2. Last Book I Bought:

Just bought three new books last week.
Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells
Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson
The Other Bolyen Girl (after seeing it recommended on LJ) by Philippa Gregory

3. Last Book I Read:

I'm reading Ya-Yas in Bloom at them moment.

4. Five Books that Mean a Lot to Me:

The Bible

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Homesick, A Memoir by Sela Ward

Romona Forever by Beverly Cleary

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

http://www.culinard.com/media/weekends_at_culinard.pdf

I'm taking A Culinary Journey through Southeast Asia next week, this will be the first class with them but I've heard some wonderful reviews.

I've going insane dreaming about taking their Wedding Cake class, it's only $1500 :-0

Emily You know your looking for a way to spend some of that Vacation time you have coming. I say you should hop a flight to Birmingham and we will sign up for a class. IMO they all look great.

I'm a hostess at a Baby shower this weekend and my two assignements are Pound Cake and Cheese Ball. I've got the cheese ball recipe, I'm making a Chicken ball but I don't have any good pound cake recipes at home. Anyone have a favorite pound cake recipe?

Chicken Ball recipe behind the cut
( Read more... )

Cherry-o-Cream Cheese Pie
graham cracker pie crust
1 8 oz. Pkg. Cream cheese, softened
1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (can use reduced fat but NOT fat free)
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
1 can cherry pie filling (you can use reduced fat)

Mix with beater the cream cheese. Gradually add milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Turn into crust
and top with pie filling. Refrigerate 2-3 hours.
-------------------------
This one has been requested for the past three years - everyone loves it just like Mel said they would.

Melanie's Famous Cheese Dip
1 lb. lean ground beef (or turkey) cooked and drained
1 lb. velveta
1/2 can tomato soup
1 pkg. taco seasoning
3/4 cup rice, cooked
1 can ROTEL

Put all ingredianst in microwave or crock pot. Serve hot with chips!
It's the best thing that you can ever serve at a football party, office potluck, whatever! There
will not be a scoop-full left!!

----------------------------------------
Stuffed Mushrooms:
1 lb. Fresh mushrooms
2 tbsp. butter

Wash, dry, and stem mushrooms, reserving stems for use in some fillings. Saute caps in butter in
skillet for 2 mintutes
Parmesan Stuffing:
3 tbsp. parmesan cheese, grated
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup bread crumbs
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 tbsp. melted butter
salt
pepper
6 tbsp. olive oil

Mix all ingredients except olive oil and fill caps. Pour 2 tbsp. of olive oil into bottom of baking pan.
Place mushrooms in pan and pour remaining olive oily equally over all mushrooms. Bake at 325 for
20 minutes. For this recipe you may wish to omit initial sautééing of caps.
------------------------
Warmed Cranberry Brie

1 (16-ounce) round Brie
1 (16-ounce) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons spiced rum*
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Trim rind from top of Brie, leaving a 1/3-inch border on top. Place Brie on a baking sheet. Stir
together cranberry sauce and next 3 ingredients; spread mixture evenly over top of Brie. Sprinkle
evenly with pecans. Bake Brie at 500°̊for 5 minutes. Serve with assorted crackers and apple and
pear slices. *2 tablespoons orange juice may be substituted for spiced rum.

Thursday

Nice night last night. Ran by my Mom's after work and just spent a little time with her until Terry got home.
Cook a very nice dinner (which is rare since I have been pg) finished up cooking just in time to watch Friends during dinner. Did a little laundry and crashed on the couch around 9:30 or so.

Since being pg my nightly ritual is to fall asleep on the couch early in the evening and then to be awaken by my hubby to turn in around 11:00. Man I've become such a sleepy head, its amazing how much sleep and rest one pg women needs.

Looking forward to tonigh - several of the ladies in my neighborhood are geeting together at my next door neighbors house for a Friends Pajama party. Were going to play some triva games and order pizza and make hot fudge sundaes for dessert. I'm going at lunch today to pick up some nice new pjs since all mine are rather old and I would hate to be seen in those.