New Background

It was time for a change. I wanted a brighter background. I was also getting tired of that picture. This new family picture isn't as good, but it's new, so it works for now. The picture was taken on Easter when we visited Tripp at the fire station. It's hard to get good family pictures when kids are little!!

Stinker or Sweet Heart?

So, you know how kids drop their utensils on the floor and you think it's just because they are clumsy? Well, this little girl likes to do it on purpose, then grin at me with a mischeivious look on her face after I chastise her for it. So I pick up the fork for her, hand it back to her and not 2.8 seconds later, she throws it on the floor again. Then looks at me with the same mischeivious smile. So this time she gets her little smacked. I go back to doing the dishes and she then proceeds to turn her bowl of eggs upside down on her tray. I guess she was done, or at least, I decided she was done. But I can't stay irritated long, just look at my little diva!

More Remodel Pictures

This picture is taken from the bathroom doorway in our room. The vanity will be on the right and that doorway you see is a linen closet. You can see the window and tub just barely on the left.

This is obviously where the tub will be. On the left you can see the shower.

This picture is taken from in front of the vanity. On the left is the toilet room. The purple wall is where the shower is and in between the toilet room and shower wall you can see the walkway that goes into the walk-in closet.

This is the shower. It will be the kind that doesn't have a shower door. There will be a slight step up to keep the water from coming out.

Here's Casey in the walk-in closet.
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Fun Outdoor Pix

Tripp & Em on the swing

The boys have a huge play structure, but sometimes they'd rather play on Emily's
It's amazing how much fun can be had with a couple of 99 cent squirt bottles!
Emily, posing

It's that time of year!

Today we broke into the 3 digits. It was 102 degrees today. Definitely not normal weather this time of year (mid 80s is more like it). But this day marked our first time in the pool for 2009! It was a brisk 76 degrees in the water, so I only dipped my feet in (I'm a weenie when it comes to water. It's gotta be in the 80s for me to get in!). But Ryan braved it! Here are some pictures:

Emily dipped her toes in too

Casey stayed in the hot tub which was a toasty 96 degrees
Tomorrow it's supposed to be 99. For me, it's a little too early for 100 degree weather, but it's supposed to go back to normal in a couple of days. Did I really just blog about the weather?

I know I haven't posted much about the bathroom remodel. But it is coming along. Tripp has it sheetrocked and the mud is on. I asked him to take a break because we weren't getting much family time in. Plus he's been working with his dad a lot on some side jobs. Anyway, next step is tape and texture then paint! I'll take some pictures tomorrow when the lighting is better in there. I've decided to go with a light green color. I want it to look really fresh and clean. I'm also considering tackling the old vanity cabinets that we are re-using. They are a light oak and not exactly what I'd choose for my newly remodeled bathroom. It's one of those things that Tripp doesn't want to do, but hopefully he will agree that it needs to be done (right, Honey? Love you!) The other thing that I hope he decides to do is add some accent tile pieces when he lays it. We got this mosaic strip of multi-colored tiles that compliment the tile we chose. It will go on the backsplash and around the tub. So he could take some of those accent pieces, clip the corners of a few of the larger main floor tile, and add these little accents here and there. It would look so great! But at this point, he just wants to be done and done quickly! He started this on January 4th! He can't believe it's not finished yet (darn those city permit codes!!) So much for "2 weeks"! That has been Tripp's running joke when I ask him how much longer. His response is always "2 weeks". Ha.

I've Updated My Sidebar Menu

Check it out and let me know if there's any recipe you'd like. If you request a recipe, I will add it to this post. I really don't mind typing it out, I just love sharing recipes!

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Creamy Chicken Casserole

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup mayo

1 Tbsp. lemon

curry seasoning to taste (not my favorite spice, I won't add this)

3 chicken breasts boiled and chopped

1 1/2 cups uncooked rice

1 bag of frozen broccoli florets

2 cups cheddar cheese

Mix together the first 5 ingredients. Layer in a greased pan (I've never made this recipe, so I have no clue what size to use, try 9x13) rice, chicken mixture, broccoli and top with cheese. Bake at 350 until it bubbles (maybe 30 minutes? Just watch it!)

Colorful Chicken & Rice

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup small curd cottage cheese

3 oz. cream cheese, cubed

3 cups cubed cooked chicken

3 cups cooked rice

1 1/2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese

1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chiles

1 can 2 1/4 oz.) sliced olives

1/8 tsp. garlic salt

1 1/2 cups crushed corn chips

2 cups shredded lettuce

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

*This is another recipe that I've never made before. It seems like it should have the word "creamy" in it much more than the recipe before it!

In a blender or food processor, combine the soup, sour cream, cottage cheese & cream cheese; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the chicken, rice, jack cheese, chilies, olives & garlic salt.

Pour into a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Just before serving, top with corn chips, lettuce and tomatoes.

Creamy Spinach Sausage Pasta

3 cups uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta

1 lb. bulk Italian sausage

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 can Italian diced tomatoes, undrained

1 pkg. (9-10 oz.) frozen creamed spinach, thawed

1 pkg. cream cheese, softened

2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven (or large pot), cook sausage & onion over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, spinach, cream cheese and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Transfer to a greased 11x7" baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Spaghetti Casserole

*This is a great recipe to double and freeze. If you double it, it will make four 8" square pans.

1 package (16 oz.) angel hair pasta

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce

2 cans (8 oz. each) tomato sauce

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded colb-jack cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanhwile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no loner pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce. Remove from heat.

Drain pasta. Combine soup & sour cream. In two 8" square baking dishes, layer half of the meat sauce, pasta, soup mixture and cheese. Repeat layers.

Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake remaining casserole at 350 for 55-65 minutes or until cheese is melted.

To use frozen casserole: Thaw in fridge overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed.

Gingered Flank Steak

*It needs time to marinate, so plan ahead

**This is my favorite marinade for flank steak!

1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1/8 tsp. minced fresh ginger root (I just buy it in a jar)

1 garlic clove, minced (I use my garlic press)

1 beef flank steak (it calls for 1 lb. but usually get at least 2 lbs.)

In a bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Pour half the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add steak. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.

Drain and discard marinade from steak. Grill steak, covered, over medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness, basting occasionally with reserved marinade.

8 Things

I was tagged by my friend Audrey at boo-momma. So here are my lists of 8 things:

8 things I'm looking forward to:
*our bathroom remodel being finished
*Emily being potty trained
*summer and swimming
*meeting face to face, my biological father and his family someday
*National Scrapbook Day (weekend, actually!) on May 1st & 2nd
*our 9 year anniversary (May 13th!) it's my year to plan our anni. date. Anyone have any lo-budget ideas for me?
*free cone day at Ben & Jerry's (April 21st, noon to 8pm!)
*Meredith coming to visit for my birthday in July (wink, wink!)

8 things I did yesterday
*made pancakes for breakfast
*read Beckie's latest installment of her life story (go check it out here -- she is a captivating writer and always leaves you wanting more. She titles it "Real & Raw" and that is just exactly what it is!)
*cleaned up the house (had to create that "faux" image since someone who has never seen my house was coming to visit for the first time! Don't worry, I didn't let her believe that I always keep my house this way!)
*made the best smoothies ever! (let me know if you want the recipe -- they taste Jamba Juice-ish)
*worked on Alphabet flash cards with Casey (part of my new routine, trying to work with Casey daily on little things like that)
*we went as a family to choose our tile for the bathroom (next time, I'd rather not bring the kids!)
*had dinner at Texas Roadhouse with Tripp's parents and a family friend who is visiting from Florida (she's who we cleaned up for ;-) )
*bathed my stinky kids

8 things I wish I could do:
*have better time management
*be more patient with and yell less at the kids
*have a pretty singing voice
*afford to send our kids to a private Christian school
*quote scripture
*talk to my mom
*go back to Jazzercise
*be better at keeping up with my chores (that may go along with having better time management!)

8 shows I enjoy:
*Biggest Loser
*Dancing with the Stars
*So You Think You Can Dance
*Friends
*King of Queens
*I Love Lucy
*Dirty Jobs
*17 Kids & Counting (don't watch it now that we got rid of extended cable, but that family fascinates me!)

8 people I tag:
*Trish
*Becca
*Kelli
*Christy
*Brooke
*Eryn
*Julie
*LeeAnn

Some festive pictures & one just for fun

I'm a little late getting these posted but here are our Easter pictures. The first ones are actually from Saturday when went to church (Tripp had to work Sunday). Don't they look sweet? All coordinating! It was just starting to sprinkle as we left for church. By the time we got there, it was POURING! We all had hooded jackets, but we got soaked none the less.

On Sunday afternoon we had lunch at the fire station and then the kids did an egg hunt.

Emily wasn't too impressed by her basket, as you can tell by the look on her face.

But once she figured out what the purpose of the basket was, she was all into it!

Casey is wearing his puppy Easter basket on his head...

This last picture is just to make you giggle! That's what I did when I first saw her with this mask on! It is from Ryan's army b-day party. Can you tell that she's saying "CHEESE!"?

I love the rain!

I woke up last night to the soothing sound of rain on our roof. I was instantly taken back to Washington when we lived there. Living in Arizona, we don't see too much rain so when we get it, it's always welcome, in my book! *Except that we are going to Easter church service this evening and our new Easter clothes are more appropriate for sunny warm weather!*

I got up before anyone else did this morning and enjoyed my coffee while looking out at our yard. Here is what I saw:

Then Ryan got up and he was excited that it was raining too!

Thank you for the rain, Lord! I love how it washes everything clean. It's such a great reminder of the joyous celebration of Easter. You died and rose so that we could be washed clean of our sin and experience abundant life with You, not only here on earth but in Heaven too.

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

Friends

Forgive me, but I'm going a little introspective with this post!


First, I have to tell you that I'm typing this post from a far away destination. No, I'm not on a deserted tropical island with nothing but the sound of waves crashing on the shore and my husband by my side, but the next best thing! I'm in Washington (state, where we used to live), visiting my friend (Meredith) and I'm here by myself while Tripp is home wrangling our kids. He and Mere's husband have been in cahoots and planning this as a surprise for Mere's birthday, which is on Wednesday.


I just got here yesterday (Sunday) morning, but it was such a great day and it really got me thinking about how thankful I am to God for the friends He's put in my life.


When I was 5, on the first day of kindergarten, I met a little girl named Carrie. We were instant best friends and to this day, 27 years later (stop doing the math to figure out how old I am and just keep reading!) with thousands of miles separating us, we are still dear friends.


As if I weren't blessed enough by that friendship, God brought another amazing friend into my life. Meredith and I met in college because our husbands (who were our boyfriends at the time) were roommates. The 4 of us were instant friends and it would take an novel to tell you about what amazing people they are. I think it's rare that when couples are friends, the wives are best friends and the husbands are too. We have a friendship anniversary! It's Valentine's Day, and here's why: on Valentine's Day, in 1998, Tripp and I wanted to go away from our college campus for Valentine's weekend, but since we were dating and held leadership positions with Campus Crusade for Christ, we didn't think it was appropriate for us to go away overnight somewhere by ourselves. So we invited Cory and Mere to join us! Mere and I didn't really know each other very well yet at this point. But this weekend began lifelong friendship that means the world to Tripp and I.


So not only did I get to come here to spend some time with Mere, I've seen a couple of my other friends here as well. My sweet friend Jenae, picked me up from the airport and we had lunch and hung out for a little bit. It was sooo good to see her! She is such a sincere person and I just love spending time with her.

Later in the afternoon, I was able to meet up with a dear friend of mine who was our neighbor when we lived here. In both the houses Tripp and I have owned, we've been BLESSED by amazing neighbors. Sarah, her husband Jamie and their awesome kids are so special to us. I'm so glad that I got to spend time with Sarah and her kids while I was here. She is a genuine friend and I pray that our kids are as well behaved when they are their ages!

There are other friends here in Washington that I hope I get a chance to see. We met some amazing people while we lived here. We are continuing to meet some great friends in our new home in Arizona It just makes me remember that God created us to crave relationships with others. It is our nature. And it is what He desires to have with us as well. It's not about being a "Christian", "Baptist", "Jew", "Mormon", or whatever religious institution you want to affiliate yourself with. It's all about a relationship and simply sharing your life with Him. He sent us Jesus so that we could better relate to God and all He wants is for us to accept who He says He is.

I told you I was going introspective with this one!

5 Stitches & a Permit

This morning I went to Bible study without kids since Tripp is home today. I always turn my phone to silent during my BS. Half way through, I checked my phone to see what time it was and saw that I'd missed a call from home and had a voicemail. I thought that was strange since Tripp knows where I am, why would he call and leave me a message?

I listened to it and immediately packed up my stuff and booked it home! Tripp (who is always very calm in these situations -- guess it's why he's such a great firefighter!) calmly said that Casey had been hurt and needed stitches so he was heading to the ER. That I needed to come home. His mom was coming over to watch Ryan and Emily. I called Tripp to find out what had happened.

Ryan and Casey had been playing with a piece of cardboard and were taking turns whacking it with a metal baseball bat. When it was Ryan's turn, he cracked Casey with the bat on accident. Being a head injury, it bled pretty good. Ryan felt so bad!

Anyway, Casey is such a brave little almost-4-year old! Tripp said he did so good! They first numbed the wound with litocane (sp?) and once it was numb sewed him up with 5 stitches. Tripp took a picture of Casey before he left for the ER so I could see what it looked like. I debated posting it, but it's pretty bloody so I decided not to post that one! But here is a picture of him enjoying his Happy Meal:

He was given a toy from the ER and another in his Happy Meal. He was pretty happy about that. My brave little "Baby Guy"!____________________________________________

As for our remodel process, I am happy to report that, after several very frustrating inspections with a handful of inspectors giving us red tags and incompletes, Inspector Bob gave us a GREEN tag and the okay to proceed with drywall! YAY! The permitting process has been so unbelievable ridiculous, Tripp was as frustrated as I've ever seen him. One inspector made him move the toilet drain because it was half an inch too close to the wall (he wasn't even there to inspect the plumbing, he just happened to notice this). Tripp had to walk away from the guy before he did something he'd regret. He had to jackhammer up the concrete around the drain, move it over a half inch and then re-cement it. It took him all day. So I don't have any pictures to share, nothing has changed. That's all for now!