Girls' Weekend

I was able to go on a girls' weekend a few weeks ago with some of my favorite girls!! We went to the Riverwalk in San Antonio to celebrate on of my best friend's 40th birthday! What a fabulous time! We left out midday Friday and the laughter began. My face and body literally hurt from laughing so hard. I can't say enough about what these girls mean to me. I know my mom used to always tell me that I would be lucky if I had one best friend, but God has blessed me with so many that enrich my life and these girls are a few of them!! My friend that turned 40 has been my bff since high school. What a blessing to share so much of our life together! We enjoyed food on the riverwalk and a few drinks, shopping at LaCantera, but the best time was in the hotel room when we all just piled up on the beds and laughed and talked. There is nothing like sharing laughs and tears with your friends!

Thankful Thursday

Thankful for:

this beautiful weather outside!

children's laughter and moments I remember to slow down and savor it!

my husband that works hard and never complains.

that my husband knows what is important in life and lives it!

that Reece is adjusting well with his cast.

Ashlyn's strong personality.

sweet in-laws that are always willing to help!

my great teaching partner that is helpful and fun.

Vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper-yum!

a fun season of volleyball for my girl.

the delicious Rick's burger I had tonight on jalapeno cheese bread!

gentle reminder of God's love for me.

all the BLESSINGS I'm given on a daily basis!!

Truthful Tuesday

Random Truths:

I've missed watching Reece play football since he broke his wrist, but I haven't missed the practices.

My girl plays her last volleyball game for Gentry this week and that will be it. She doesn't want to play in high school. It's been so fun to watch her, but sad to know she is finishing...

The truth is there have been some hard lessons my girl has had to learn lately about relationships and I find myself struggling with the same issues some times as an adult.

BUT...I find the older I get, the less I worry about some situations. The TRUTH is some things just don't matter in the big scheme of things!

I have the best husband in the world! He knows just when I need help around the house, when I need a laugh, when I need a date night, and when I need encouraging.

God is working in my life and I'm taking notice. I know God is always working around me and ready to work in my life, but I am intentionally listening and seeking. What a difference it makes!!

I've indulged in way too much delicious food lately and need to get back on track. The truth is: It was all DELICIOUS!!

I love being able to wear flip flops to school!

There are challenging days as a teacher. Most students don't follow directions well, but there is more positive than negative!

The truth is I LOVE when Keith goes to the grocery store so I don't have to!

And finally, the older I get, the more I love staying home and hanging out! The truth is I enjoy time with my friends and family, but the the truth is: THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!

Weekly Menu

Monday- Chicken and Rice with mixed veggies

Tuesday-Goulash - this is a mixture of hamburger meat, seasonings, stewed tomatoes, and macaroni that my mom made a lot when I was at home. Ashlyn requested it!

Wednesday-South of the Border Shrimp Enchiladas

Thursday- Stuffed smothered steak and mashed potatoes

Friday- Fajitas and all the fixings

Saturday- Out with the hubby

Sunday- going to a Halloween party- hot dogs and smores

Saucy Manicotti

Here is the recipe for the saucy manicotti I made last week. It is delicious!

8oz pkg. manicotti shells
16 oz. Italian sausage
1 large onion chopped
5 garlic cloves, pressed
26 oz. 7 herbs spaghetti sauce
8 oz. chive and onion cream cheese
6 cups mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
15 oz. Ricotta cheese
4 garlic cloves

Preheat oven to 350. Cook shells. Drain. Cook sausage, onion, 5 garlic cloves. When sausage is done, pour in spaghetti sauce- bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Pour one cup into the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish. Combine cream cheese, 4 cups mozz. cheese, and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl until blended. Cut slit in manicotti and fill with cheese mixture. Place shells in baking dish seam side down. Spoon rest of sauce over the shells and top with remaining cheese. Bake covered for 50 minutes.

Broken Wrist

My poor guy broke his wrist two weeks ago. I was out of town with girlfriends and received a phone call from a neighbor saying he thought Reece had broken his arm. UGH!! My heart sank. My mind flooded with thoughts that I was out of town and Keith was at work. All I wanted was for Keith to get to him as quickly as possible!! Thankfully we had good friends that helped out until Keith could get to him. Of course Keith literally flew down the highway to get to Reece and took him to Texas Children's Hospital. They took great care of him and confirmed he had broken his left wrist. ( and yes he is left handed) For those of you wondering how: football in the neighborhood with friends. Not just regular football, but on the trampoline. He told me, " I was closer to the edge than I thought, Mom." Yes, I guess he was! Here is a pic Keith sent me to keep me updated. I just cried when I saw it!! I know it is just a broken bone, but it is my baby's broken bone!! He still had a great smile on his face! I am so proud of him and how well he handled it! He has loved telling the stories about the whole ordeal, and it taking three times to get an iv in his arm! It's gotten him a lot of attention. (especially with the girls at school. Heehee!)A few days later, he told me that getting a flu shot would be no big deal anymore! LOL!!

Update: He got his hard cast on last week and he has more mobility with it. He is such an active boy!! Next week we are getting a water proof cast put on. He is excited about that!

Weekly Menu

A little late, but here is dinner this week!

Monday- grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and steamed broccoli

Tuesday- Chicken Pot Pie, pull apart rolls, and ice cream with all the toppings
Easy recipe: 1 can fiesta nacho soup, 1 can cream of celery, 16 oz. bag of frozen veggies, chopped onions, 2 part pie crust, chicken (rotisserie), salt and pepper- I like to grill my chicken and chop it up
Mix the soups and 1/2 cup of milk in a pot and add the other ingredients- bring to a boil- place in deep dish pie crust and use the other pie crust for the top. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes! Delicious!!

Wednesday- Taco Salad -after all the food yesterday, we need the salad!! : )

Thursday-Taco Casserole

Friday- Wine and Dine at our house-Dinner with friends! I am cooking stuffed manicotti-YUMMY!! We are serving Italian food, salad, garlic bread, dessert and of course, wine!! I will add the recipe for stuffed manicotti later this week!!

Saturday-whatever the kids want

Sunday-small group

Weekly Menu

Monday- Baked chicken with Italian seasoning, spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese, green bean almondine, and salad

Tuesday- Stuffed taco shells and spanish rice

Wednesday- Spaghetti and meatballs

Thursday- Taco Soup (cooler weather has inspired me to bring it back)
1 1/2 pounds hamburger
1 envelope dry ranch
a few teaspoons of taco seasoning
1 can pinto beans
1 can black beans
1 can white hominy
1 can Rotel
2 cans fiesta corn
1 can chicken broth
1 can garlic chicken broth
cilantro
YUM!!

Friday and Saturday- dinner on the Riverwalk

Sunday- small group