Lots of Fun!

even though it's Super Bowl Sunday, here I sit blogging.  Lots of things go on in my life on a daily basis that I often forget to blog.  My apologies for that.  Here's a glimpse into all the crazy ness:

Kenzie started Chorus

Ryan has been snowed in tons up in P.A.

Scott got started at his new company.

Juanita and I have been scrapbooking TONS!

Maddie has been maddie, what can I say!

We were looking into a mobile home to purchase, but that fell through, so we are on to other options.  We are looking for something that is an owner finance, that will allow us to put a 2nd residence on the same property.  This way we are all set, the kids get a large yard, scott and juanita get their place, and we get ours.  We will see where God leads us.

Taxes got filed.  They were accepted, and processed in record time!  Wow!  And that's about it for now.  I'll try and post some fun pics here in a few days!

Lots of fun!!!

As you can see, we are planning!  This is simply the wording my friend Juanita wants for her vow renewal ceremony!  Here ya go chickie!  Pin away!!!

How about some recent pics of our beauties???

 Since it's been a while since I've shared pics of our girls, I thought I would give you some of their cheering shots from this past fall!  They were cheering for the South Pasco Steelers.  They had tons of fun as you can see, but being that we live a little far for all of the traveling with this league, among other things, we will not be returning to the Steelers.  Maddie has decided she wants to take some Gymnastics, and Kenzie wants to try soccer!  Again, they loved it, and did an amazing job with their first sport, YES, CHEERLEADING IS A SPORT!, they just want to see if there's something out there they will like more.

In the above shot, this was taken at Kenzie's first game!  She was having a blast with Morgan, Annabelle, and Jalissa!

 In this shot, which i love, her coach had seen this done and wanted to try it with Kenzie's squad.  While you can't tell who's legs are who's I can tell you that kenzie's legs are at the bottom of the heart.  The very bottom on the right!  She's next to Morgan!  That's what those two get for having legs that just don't stop LOL!

 Being silly with Annabelle is always fun at competition!  She rocked it!

And lastly, Maddie with Alyia (I hope I got that right Melissa)  The two were great little posers after their game one Sunday!

Now, I plan on sharing more later, but it's back to party planning with me!  I have an 11th birthday coming up and an 8th birthday to start planning!  Fun Fun!

Newness

While I was going to be changing this blog over to wordpress, I decided there's no sense in doing that, so we just updated the url and I'm changing things as I have a few minutes here and there.  So, for our first post of the week here we go :

Monday-- Report card day!  We had our report card day and I'm happy to report that both of the girls grades are coming up!  This is a huge thing because I don't settle for second best with the girls and school. At the previous school, Kenzie was being bullied by her "best" friend, when we moved there was a falling out and we are no longer in communication with that family after the loss of material possessions and lots of  emotions, it is best.  So back to the report cards, their grades are on the rebound and I can't wait to see how well they improve between now and the next report card!

Tuesday-- Lots of working on the dollhouse-- details to come on that one!

Wednesday-- the same

Thursday-- the same

Friday-- I took a day to just relax, play games, and research!

and that brings us to today.  Not sure what the day will bring, but it will all be good I am sure!

changes

As we enter the next chapter of our lives, I will be posting here once more to give you the new blog address.  I'm going to be going through and saving all of the posts we have here to my computer to keep on hand, but we are going to be starting a new blog to document from this point in our lives on.  I think it's time for new ness, and I can't wait for this chapter to begin.

With the beginning of this chapter we have an 11 year old, and almost 8 year old.  Preteen and full blown diva!  a full time work at home mom.  a full time work wherever they will send me dad.  uncle scott, aunt juanita and teddy have rejoined our family.  and there are all kinds of fun things going on!  i can't wait to be able to blog about them in the new blog!

If you wish to keep up with us, you will want to go to our new blog address.  No, I don't know what it will be as of yet, but I will be sure to post it here once I get to it!!!  Thanks for being loyal followers for the last several years of our lives!!!

sometimes i wonder

sometimes i wonder how i do the things i do.  i mean, really, come on now.  while many are thinking, she doesn't work, she doesn't do this or that, think about the amount of stress she may or may not be under.  while i don't work out side of the home, i have more stress on me on a daily basis than many can imagine.  i have had more sadness in my lifetime than i would wish on anyone, yet i am expected to pretend that nothing is going on.  i am given the opportunity to have threats thrown at me more often than any other person should, yet i'm not supposed to be upset by those threats to me and my family.  while they aren't life or death, they hurt just like if they were.  i wish that my life were easier, i wish i had an easy button, but fortunately, i know that god will never give me anything i can't handle and everything that happens to me goes through his hands first.  thank god i have friends who can remind me of that.  while i will not disclose all that is going on i will say this, hold firm the the love of the savior because you never know when you will need him.  don't question what he wills for you, as he wills only what is going to be best for you.

bling bling BAM!

ABck almost 11 years ago, we got married.  My mother in law had given an engagement ring to my husband to give me.  She had won it in a raffle when my Sister in law was getting married to my brother in law.  Fast forward a few years, we are living in Port Richey, and I go to my jewelery box to get my rings as I did every morning that I wasn't working at the nursing homes, and found that not only was my engagement band gone, but so was my heart ring that Mackenzie and Ryan had gotten me when she was almost a year old, my wedding band, and my new cross necklace that I had gotten for christmas.  I hadn't gotten the chance to wear it because I was looking for a longer chain for it.  Stolen.  It broke my heart.  So much so that I hadn't even thought about replacing it.  I had looked with Ryan, but we just couldn't replace it knowing that the other set had meant so much.  Well, now about 2.5 to 3 years later I found this:

and my hubby said to get it!  Woo Hoo!  I'm in love with this set!  I hadn't even told Carol the story of my jewelery going missing because I was so broken hearted over it.  It had meant so much and she had saved that ring for years before giving it to Ryan to give to me.  It had more than monetary value, it had sentimental value.  When I e mailed (because she doesn't live locally anymore) I got a response that I wasn't expecting.  Carol had some good jewelery go missing too!  I almost couldn't believe we both had the same story, while I don't know what all was taken, I know it had sentimental value to her.  And while we couldn't afford a $25,000 set, the set we got, I love! I've had it for a day and a half and it already is giving me sentimental value! 

Now for the BAM!  

CONGRADULATIONS Mackenzie!  She got nominated to run for student council!  Wow!  Go girl!  More details on that as the whole process goes on I've never had anything like that and she hasn't either, so we are VERY proud of her!!!!

70 X 7 Women's Conference

While I haven't been good with updating this blog, I wanted to share something that I went to last night.  It was an amazing night!  I'll first start with some background info...

What is 70 x 7?  It's a ministry started by a dear friend of mine, Donna.  It was birthed 5 years ago, but last night was the first time that the team was able to hold the conference was held in the United States.  In the past, it has been done on Mission Trips.  So, I was touched just knowing that I was part of the first 200 women to experience this on our home soil!

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.  Matthew 18: 21-22

This is the verse that the conference was birthed on.  When we go back to the greek it translates to forgiveness!  Not 490 times but unlimited forgiveness!  

So, on to what touched me.  First, the footwashing!  I had never experienced it.  It was something that Jesus did for his disciples, and to be honest, I wasn't sure when I went there that I would participate, but I did and came away highly blessed for allowing a young lady to minister to me!  She did it not because I had dirty feet, afterall I had just showered, but because she has a servants heart and wanted to serve the Lord in this way.  While she was washing my feet, she was so cute, see, I had worn stockings with my dress, and she was sure I would ask not to wash through them, but I wanted to experience it, so I allowed her to wash through them.  The prayer she prayed really opened my heart to experience the conference in it's entirety!  Thank you special lady!  You know who you are!  Love you lots!

There were a few skits about the woman at the well, the woman with the issue of blood and the prostitute.  they were all forgiven their sins, as we must learn to forgive those who have tresspassed against us.  It's hard sometimes to do, and we struggle daily, but as this conference goes on, there's music that speaks to us, but one of the biggest points is when my best friend and sister in Christ signed NOT GUILTY!  It really spoke to me.  In everything I do, I must remember that the verdict is NOT GUILTY!  God forgives me!  

In posting this, I'm encouraging you ladies, if this conference comes to you, please, by all means go to it!  It's an amazing experience, from the leaving your issues on the cross, to tossing your stone to the foot of the cross where it belongs, all the way to the prayers, communion, etc.  it's a wonderful 

Not Guilty Video

Updated list of todo's

I thought I would show you the updated to do list for the Nursing program, it's been a fun transitional time in my life.  I can't wait for this program! It will feel great to go through the program and come out on top of my life finally!  I agree, I shouldn't have waited so long to go back to school, but God has a plan, and he needed me to go through life down this path for a reason.  I will succeed!  

Submit Application
Placement Test
Fafsa
Teas (nursing placement test)-- I took a practice teas yesterday, and if it were the teas for getting into the program, I would be in right now!  LOL  So, I have some registering for the teas and studying to be able to score that good on the longer test.  
Submit any transcripts
College Experience Course
Immunizations
CPR certification
Interview with Dean
Enrollment Agreement
Background Checks
Meet with the financial aid appointment
Nursing Orientation
Schedule
Start Classes

Just a quick update on the girls and Ryan:

Ryan is still plugging away working out of town a lot these days.  Some days are more stressful for him than others, but he's providing for his family and that's all that matters.  He can't wait til he gets to come home for a visit I am sure, but he knows that he has to provide, and that's what he is doing. 

Kenzie is getting bigger and bigger.  She can't wait for 4th grade to start!  I can't wait to see what she'll accomplish this year!  She's becoming closer and closer with Ariel, her bff!  They are like sisters anymore!  To the extent that she's gonna go to a cheerleading practice later this week to see if she wants to try it out for a season.  

Maddie is my lil peanut who LOVES animals!  Right now she's sleeping on the couch with Skylar!  We stayed last night with Diana.  And Maddie curls up on the couch with the dogs and cats all the time.  She loves them so much!  Sometimes I wonder if she's gonna be a vet when she grows up LOL!  

And that's about the update.  

So excited!!

I feel like a combination of a kid in a candy store and santa delivering gifts on christmas eve!!!

I passed my entrance exam!!!  On to the teas!!!  it will happen SOOOOOON!

Nursing School Update

Hey there fans!  I finally have an update about my nursing program!

I've taken lots of time to think it over.  I compared both the RN and the LPN programs.  So, I've visited several schools, called many others.  Today I went to an Info Session on the RN program at a school I am highly interested in.

So with that said, I have a few steps to go through, and the first is applying to that school.  Once accepted, the real fun begins!  Here's my list as of now:

Submit Application
Placement Test
Fafsa
Teas (nursing placement test)
Submit any transcripts
College Experience Course
Immunizations
CPR certification
Interview with Dean
Enrollment Agreement
Background Checks
Meet with the financial aid appointment
Nursing Orientation
Schedule
Start Classes

So with this said, I've done a lot of homework and getting things in order.  I've spoken nothing but good positive things about wanting to do this for a long time now, and yet, I still have others who I thought were friends who want to try and bring me down.  So for the last time I ask, IF YOU CAN'T BE A POSITIVE PATTY ABOUT THIS SITUATION KEEP YOUR NEGATIVE NANCY COMMENTS TO YOURSELF.  My school isn't going to be a perfect match for everyone, but if you were a true supportive friend, you wouldn't try to drag me down about where I choose to go.

sorry

so sorry for dropping off.  i'll get to the recipes.  i ended up going to the hospital so much this week to stay with a friend that i just wasn't able to cook any of the recipes i had picked out.  i'll get them posted in the coming weeks though. 

i found out that i only have a few things to do to get into nursing school this september.  praying everything falls into place!  can't wait! 

will keep you posted as to what happens there! 

Corndog Casserole

This is super easy and yummmmy! 

In a skillet, sautee 2 cups of thinly sliced celery in 2 tbsp butter for 5 minutes.  Add 1.5 cups sliced green onions.  Saute 5 minutes.  Place in large bowl.  Set aside.  Cut 1 pound of hot dogs into bite size pieces, add to skillet.  Saute for 5 minutes or until lightly browned.  Add to vegetables.  Set aside 1 cup of the veggie mixture.  To the remaining mixture, add 2 eggs, 1.5 cups of milk, 1/4 tsp pepper, 2 tsp rubbed sage.  Stir well.  Add 2 boxes corn muffin mix and 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese.  Mix well.  Put into prepared casserole dish.  Top with remaining veggie mixture.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese on top.  Bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes. 

A week of menus

We all sat down and made out the dinner menus for the next month.  For this week we chose taco salad, corn dog casserole, chinese, pepperoni pull apart bread and crazy bread, grilled cheese with tomato soup, sloppy joes with french fries, and quesadillas with corn. 

I also made cappucchino muffins, banana chip muffins, and cinnamon donut muffins!  Wow!  Ill be posting recipes and pics all week. 

Since i dont have a pic, it was ate too fast, heres my rendition of taco salad: 

Brown a pound of ground beef.  Drain.  Prepare according to taco dinner kit.  Toward the end of meat cooking, add 1 tbsp ranch dressing.  Bake shells while doing meat.  Put a bag of salad in a large bowl with a chopped onion, salsa according to how u like it, and 2 cups shredded cheddar (more can be added later if u need it)  crush shells on top.  Pour meat mixture over it all.  Toss and serve with refried beans.  Garnish with sour cream if desired!  Mmmm  the fam goes nuts for it!

What a week!

Last week was a busy week for us.  I am gonna recap it day by day to catch you up...

Monday we had our first tutoring session for Maddie.  So we trekked to the library.  Thinking we would get books before, we got there at 915 only to learn they didnt open til 10, so we walked to the park, played, and came back just in time for the doors to open.  That was a crazy hot walk in blue jeans for this momma!  After tutoring we learned that we couldnt get books because we were at the only remaining CITY library in the area and it isnt connected to our county library so books would have to wait a day. 

Tuesday we went to the state attorneys office to have a meeting and learned of more charges they are filing against the man who stole our vehicle in april.  Thats a huge mess and a whole other post will be coming after its all over.  Back to the library we went to get our library card and check out books.  Kenzie signed up for the summer reading program they have there.  I started studying boundaries. 

Wednesday, we took a much needed day to rest. 

Thursday we prepped our walls for painting! 

Friday we had our errand day and Maddies evaluation.  We learned she has adhd and ocd.  We are adapting to her needs now and the house is running smoother.  While i was cooking, the girls were playing outside with the neighbors child who began bullying maddie, i drew a boundary line because this wasnt the first time only for that childs mother to get irate to the point that by the end of her rant she told my kids they were nothing but mental retards with a fat lazy mother.  It took all i had to not get into a physical altercation, but in the end, i dont want to teach my kids that fighting is ok, so we came in and painted our frustrations away. 

Saturday, i put the second coat on the paint and we hung out with one of the nicer neighbors who also has issues with yesterdays neighbor. 

Sunday was a regular sunday for us minus church. 

Monday we were back at the library for tutoring.  Exchanged books and that was that.

Today Kenzie started Summer Reading Camp. 

Frustration is not how i wanted to start the day!

When working for a company, you would think they would be up front with you about your direct deposit.  Instead we never know if the money will be in the bank or not!  How can bills be paid or groceries be bought if there is no money in the bank when its supposed to be?  Really people get it right already!

Tropical storm

Yep, we had our first tropical storm for the year.  Her name was Andrea.  She brought much needed rain, gusts of wind and even a few tornadoes to the tampa bay area.  Thank god we fared well.  We took a day off of walking today due to the weather and will resume tomorrow after our errands.  Lots of fun things coming up, but im not gonna spill the beans just yet!  More to come as more develops.

School is OUT!!!

Today was bittersweet for me.  I am happy its summer break, but that means we only have 2 years before we have a MIDDLESCHOOLER!  I cant believe we are that close already! 

Both girls had a great day.  I got soaked walking to get Madispn, then the rain slacked off enough for me to have buckets of sweat rolling into my eyes!  It has been so humid here that i sweat as soon as i go outside let alone walk the more than 1/2 mile to her school.  We are starting a new walking track tomorrow... not sure how far but its gonna be fun to see

Air conditioners have temper tantrums too...

Or at least mine did today!  I woke up to a flooded bathroom, an overflowing drip pan in the attic due ti the drip pipe being clogged with algae.  I just pray it really cools after all the work on it today! 

Rainy day Saturday

As the hurricane season starts, mother nature has decided to remind me to get my hurricane kits ready.  Yes, i said kits.  One for each of us, one for my bird. 

In the mean time I am closer to deciding on the LPN program.  Its going to be tough, but I know I can and WILL do this.  It has taken longer than i wanted, but I needed to allow the Lord to work things out in HIS time. 

More updates to come.