Delicious recipe posted below!!
So, just a small update so you all know we are alive! We are trying to get back into the swing of things. That is so hard after such a fabulous vacation!
Kennie - He is enjoying being able to play outside and I can't get him to put down the books when he is inside. He reads everything he can. Sometimes 2 or 3 times. His latest is he wants to read the Book of Mormon so he is working on that. The 2 older boys got to go skiing with a neighbor and it was their first time. They were both super quick to pick it up and they can't wait to go back!
Justin - He is being Justin. Just tonight, he fell head first into a bunch of rocks while rollerblading. I maybe should have taken him to the ER but was assured by a medical friend that he should be okay. He had a blast on his first time skiing as well and can't wait for lessons this next winter.
**I gave Kennie and Justin a chance to go back into public school. This wasn't what I wanted, but I wanted them to make the choice. The decided they still want to be home schooled. That has to say something about me, right??
Nate - Nate is Nate. We might need to change his ADHD medication, but we will see what our (AWESOME) doctor says. He wants to do everything his brothers do but can't because he isn't tall enough or weigh enough. We are super excited that Nate was accepted into the Japanese Immersion program that he will start in August when he starts Kindergarten. They do normal school in the morning but then the afternoon is all in Japanese. I'm pretty excited for this! Plus, he is super excited too!!
Maggie - She is the princess. To say that she runs the house (at least her brothers) is an understatement. She is super emotional and always has to get her way. She has had a big wake up call since daddy has been gone! :) What a mean mom I am!
Aaron is doing really good. He works 7 days a week and he works 12-14 hour shifts. He has seen some pretty crazy things but continues to stay positive. He is truly my hero! He cut his hair. It's shorter than I have seen it in the 10 1/2 years I have known him.
Sassy is just trying to sane. That's easier said than done most days, but I'm not in a straight jacket yet. I need to figure out the balance of school, housework, me time, kid time and all my church and other responsibilities. By the time I figure it out, Aaron will be home, but whatever!! I am just so excited for h8im to come home. I miss him SO much.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Delicious Recipe - White Lasagna
White Lasagna
1 package lasagna noodles, cooked 8-10 minutes
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 rotisserie chicken - meat pulled off and sliced (I crumbled it when I put it in the pan)
2 (6 oz) cans of artichokes, drained and chopped
1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed and strained
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 (8 oz) container of Ricotta Cheese
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter
1. Start and cook lasagna noodles cooking.
2. While noodles are cooking, saute onion in EVOO over medium heat. When tender, crumble chicken and mix together. Add garlic, drained spinach and chopped artichokes and mix well.
3. While chicken mixture is warming, combine cream of mushroom soup, butter, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese in a medium sauce pan. Cook on medium heat until warm and slightly bubbly. Turn to low just to keep it warm.
Spread a small amount of sauce (I did 1/4 cup) on bottom of 9x13 pan. Layer 1/3 noodles over sauce. Spread 1/2 ricotta cheese over noodles. Top with 1/2 chicken mixture followed by 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1/2 sauce over cheese. Add 1/3 noodles. Top with remaining ricotta cheese, chicken mixture. Then layer remaining noodles and top with sauce.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Turn off stove, sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over top and let sit in oven for 5 minutes.
1 package lasagna noodles, cooked 8-10 minutes
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 rotisserie chicken - meat pulled off and sliced (I crumbled it when I put it in the pan)
2 (6 oz) cans of artichokes, drained and chopped
1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed and strained
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 (8 oz) container of Ricotta Cheese
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter
1. Start and cook lasagna noodles cooking.
2. While noodles are cooking, saute onion in EVOO over medium heat. When tender, crumble chicken and mix together. Add garlic, drained spinach and chopped artichokes and mix well.
3. While chicken mixture is warming, combine cream of mushroom soup, butter, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese in a medium sauce pan. Cook on medium heat until warm and slightly bubbly. Turn to low just to keep it warm.
Spread a small amount of sauce (I did 1/4 cup) on bottom of 9x13 pan. Layer 1/3 noodles over sauce. Spread 1/2 ricotta cheese over noodles. Top with 1/2 chicken mixture followed by 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1/2 sauce over cheese. Add 1/3 noodles. Top with remaining ricotta cheese, chicken mixture. Then layer remaining noodles and top with sauce.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Turn off stove, sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over top and let sit in oven for 5 minutes.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
"Hope for Japan"
This was taken from Jeanette Lynton's blog.
We've all been reeling with the images of tragedy and devastation in Japan. If you're looking for an easy, real, practical way to help relief efforts, then I invite you to contact your Close To My Heart Consultant!
Typically, our A-sized sets retail for $7.95/$8.95 CAN, but the "Hope for Japan" set will be available through April 30 for just $5--and Close To My Heart will be donating 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts in Japan.
If we all do a little, together we can do a lot. Let's show our support and together, provide real HOPE for Japan!
Please call me or e-mail me if yo are interested in purchasing this set!
We've all been reeling with the images of tragedy and devastation in Japan. If you're looking for an easy, real, practical way to help relief efforts, then I invite you to contact your Close To My Heart Consultant!
Typically, our A-sized sets retail for $7.95/$8.95 CAN, but the "Hope for Japan" set will be available through April 30 for just $5--and Close To My Heart will be donating 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts in Japan.
If we all do a little, together we can do a lot. Let's show our support and together, provide real HOPE for Japan!
Please call me or e-mail me if yo are interested in purchasing this set!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Um.....YUM!!
So, I TOTALLY have to try this! I'll let you know!!
{Stole this picture from her blog! Holy YUMMY!!}
Dear Friends,
I have already tried them! I couldn't wait. Now, here's my review. HEAVEN!! Best Cupcake EVER. Even better than Jonett's Lemon Poppy seed {which I love}! The only change I would make is I would omit the honey from the frosting. But, I'm not nor have I ever been a honey person.
I think my neighbor, Tricia, said it best when she said the cupcake was good but the frosting could be a food group! Agreed!!
**Note: I used homemade peanut butter (are you super impressed?) Other than that, I didn't stray from the recipe at all. I just HAD to lick the spoon! I couldn't waist even a tiny bit of that frosting. (It's stored in my fridge. I need to find another worthy use for it!!) Jocelyn, you are my hero!! (When Aaron comes home from Afghanistan, this will be the first thing I make for him!!)
Just between you and me, I ate two. And it's 11:49 at night. Oops!! Totally worth every calorie though!! I hope you enjoy!!
P.S. Mrs. Brandy Dunaway - this has your name written ALL over it. I will send you a box of Tagalongs if you don't have access to one. I thought of you with every bite!!!
P.S.S - This is a picture of mine. Not better than the one posted above, but proof that I made them AND proof that I didn't eat them all!
{Stole this picture from her blog! Holy YUMMY!!}
Dear Friends,
I have already tried them! I couldn't wait. Now, here's my review. HEAVEN!! Best Cupcake EVER. Even better than Jonett's Lemon Poppy seed {which I love}! The only change I would make is I would omit the honey from the frosting. But, I'm not nor have I ever been a honey person.
I think my neighbor, Tricia, said it best when she said the cupcake was good but the frosting could be a food group! Agreed!!
**Note: I used homemade peanut butter (are you super impressed?) Other than that, I didn't stray from the recipe at all. I just HAD to lick the spoon! I couldn't waist even a tiny bit of that frosting. (It's stored in my fridge. I need to find another worthy use for it!!) Jocelyn, you are my hero!! (When Aaron comes home from Afghanistan, this will be the first thing I make for him!!)
Just between you and me, I ate two. And it's 11:49 at night. Oops!! Totally worth every calorie though!! I hope you enjoy!!
P.S. Mrs. Brandy Dunaway - this has your name written ALL over it. I will send you a box of Tagalongs if you don't have access to one. I thought of you with every bite!!!
P.S.S - This is a picture of mine. Not better than the one posted above, but proof that I made them AND proof that I didn't eat them all!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Japan – part 3 cont. – More Odaiba
Sorry for the delay in the continuation of the Odaiba post. We were busy, then got sick then the earthquake happened. We are home, somewhat settled and trying to get life back to “normal.”
Here are some more pictures from Odaiba. There are a few more but they are still on Shelby’s camera. I’ll see if I can get them from her soon.
Johnny, Hazel, Sol & Nate
Great action shot!
Hazel and her adorable outfit!!
The boys got to ride in a simulator at the Toyota Plant. They thought it was pretty cool.
Justin in the simulator.
Mrs. Shelby and Maggie riding the motorcycle!
Mrs. Shelby and Maggie on the Panda bear. This is an arcade place and you put in 100 Yen and you would ride the animal around for a while. So funny.
3 kids riding the panda bear! (Maggie, Sol & Nate)
This is one of those weird pictures where you think you are seeing a ghost. You really aren’t.
To be continued……
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Our Best Bites Winners!!
Thanks for the awesome recipes. I'm very excited to try a lot of them out. I have been trying a lot of new things lately and it has been kind-of fun! So, here are the winners!
Winner #1 - Chairty -
and
Winner #2 - Paige
Contact me with your addresses ladies and I will get these in the mail asap!
Look for another giveaway toward the end of the week!
Winner #1 - Chairty -
and
Winner #2 - Paige
Contact me with your addresses ladies and I will get these in the mail asap!
Look for another giveaway toward the end of the week!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tokyo Earthquake
I have been awake for 30 hours at this moment. I am utterly exhausted! However, today was a pretty big day and I would like to document my feelings/emotions while they are still fresh and not clouded by sleep or the day to day happenings of life.
This may be a familiar picture to you if you have been watching the news. This is a picture I found of the earthquake that happened Friday, March 11th at 3:46 Japanese time. It measured as an 8.9 on the rictor scale. According to CNN, it is the 7th largest earthquake since records started being kept.
Well, if you haven't already seen, I was there. Shelby and I were getting the kids out of the car at the 100 Yen store. This was our last stop as we headed to the base to get me checked in and hopefully on the plane. Things started to shake. I was trying to wake Maggie up so she could shop (her favorite thing to do) and everything started moving. At first, Shelby thought that the car next to us thought we were to close so it started sending shock waves. I thought the car had started bouncing. This goes to show you that you don't always think rational thoughts in the middle of something like this is. We finally came to terms with what was going on and just looked at each other like what are we going to do next. It felt like it lasted forever. People came running out of the store. Kids were crying and parents were trying to figure out what was going on.
I still wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew that we needed to keep the kids close. (Sidenote: this was hard to do. Kennie & Justin were excited to go spend their Yen and Nate didn't have his meds so he was bouncing off the wall.) We tried to keep ourselves calm (which I think we did really good) !! It ended, and the kids wanted to go in. So we did. We were in and out in less than 20 minutes to get to the base. As we were driving, the first aftershock hit. It registered at a 7.1. 2 women in a van with 6 kids and no ability to call out because all of the lines were jammed. I said a silent prayer that Shelby and I would stay calm. We both posted a quick funny message on facebook, not realizing how big of a deal it was. (Which I am very grateful we did.)
We got to the base and inside. Did roll call, checked bags, stamped out of the country and paid for meals. Said our (very difficult) goodbyes to Shelby, Sol and Hazel and went through the terminal check point. Tears streaming down Sol, Shelby, Hazel and my cheeks. (Hazel was tired.) I wasn't ready to go. I still had thing to do and I was enjoying having company other than my 4 rugrats.
It wasn't until we settled waiting for them to load us on the bus that we (all 35 passengers) realized how much devastation was caused. The severity of the situation and the thousands of people that were being effected right that minute. People tried calling out, I tried calling my ride home from the airport, but still, all phone lines were jammed. I tried logging onto wifi to message friends and my mom, but the wifi was down. I literally had no contact with anyone outside of that terminal. It was then that the message and truth of the gospel comforted me. I knew that whatever happened, I would be together again with my husband. We would be a family. I could see my husband smile at me and tell me that I was doing great, even though I wasn't.
I know that Aaron trusts me and my ability to act in stressful situations. For the most part, I keep a clear head and am able to know the things I should and shouldn't do. I kept the kids calm and was able to prepare for the 7 hour flight in front of us. I carried 2 back packs, my carry on bag, my purse, a food/drink bag, 2 pillow pets and 2 coats (and myself) to the bus and to the plane. Then back to the bus and back to the terminal.
Folks, I wish this was the end of my story. About 20 minutes after take off, I started smell gas fumes. I mentioned it to the Air Force guy in charge (don't know his title, sorry) and he realized it was gas fumes. They started looking around as it got worse and realized that some of the cargo on board was leaking. They cleaned up the line of gas going towards the back of the bus and it stopped, so they didn't worry about it. They handed out meals. My kids ate then all laid down for sleep time. About 2 hours later, they announced overhead that they were going to drop the oxygen masks and that it wasn't required, but if we were sitting in our chairs, it would be smart to put it on. The fumes were still there but not really changing.
About an hour later, they came back on again and explained that the fumes were getting stronger so it was now required to put the mask on. (Realize, I had not gotten any sleep at this point.) So, I got Kennie up and in the chair. In his seat belt and his mask on. He went back to sleep. Did the same with Nate. Justin was harder to get up and in his chair, but he eventually made it there. I then picked up Maggie and there was no way she was going to wake up. So, she laid on my lap. Put the oxygen masks on everyone, gave Justin permission to play his DSi (he couldn't go back to sleep) and closed my eyes for a few minutes, I slept for just shy of 45 minutes. We wore the oxygen masks all the way to Anchorage. Got ourselves off the plane, to the terminal, discharged by the medical staff and all 7 checked bags, 4 backpacks, my purse, my carry on, 3 pillow pets and 4 coats to the car. (Okay, we left my purse and Nate's backpack at the terminal) and got in Stacie's car.
That was 12 hours ago. I still haven't slept. I am at 31 hours with no sleep. I am D-E-A-D on my feet. My eyes kill, my legs ache and my emotions are all over the board. I can't wait to crawl into MY bed and sleep. Hoping that tomorrow I will wake up to see this is only a nightmare.
I am realistic though. Thousands of people's lives have been changed in a matter of moments. I feel almost as helpless as I did 9-11 except I was there. I felt the earth shake and the buildings move. I selfishly said a prayer that our van would be kept safe. My prayer was answered. Thousands of others are not so fortunate. My heart is so full of gratitude for my knowledge of our plan here on Earth and trust in our Heavenly Father that he and only he knows what will happen and giving us the tools of comfort and inspiration to help us get through those very trying and scary times.
I am SO thankful I was with Shelby. She is someone I can talk to. She knows me and my thoughts without me even expressing them. I trust her and I know she trusts me. We made it through together. Thank you Shelby!! Thank you to all of those who were concerned for us and prayed for us. Prayer is a very powerful tool and I know it works! I am humbled that we were given this opportunity to learn and grow. I have really realized what is important. Not that I didn't already know. I guess I was just reminded!
Well, if you haven't already seen, I was there. Shelby and I were getting the kids out of the car at the 100 Yen store. This was our last stop as we headed to the base to get me checked in and hopefully on the plane. Things started to shake. I was trying to wake Maggie up so she could shop (her favorite thing to do) and everything started moving. At first, Shelby thought that the car next to us thought we were to close so it started sending shock waves. I thought the car had started bouncing. This goes to show you that you don't always think rational thoughts in the middle of something like this is. We finally came to terms with what was going on and just looked at each other like what are we going to do next. It felt like it lasted forever. People came running out of the store. Kids were crying and parents were trying to figure out what was going on.
I still wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew that we needed to keep the kids close. (Sidenote: this was hard to do. Kennie & Justin were excited to go spend their Yen and Nate didn't have his meds so he was bouncing off the wall.) We tried to keep ourselves calm (which I think we did really good) !! It ended, and the kids wanted to go in. So we did. We were in and out in less than 20 minutes to get to the base. As we were driving, the first aftershock hit. It registered at a 7.1. 2 women in a van with 6 kids and no ability to call out because all of the lines were jammed. I said a silent prayer that Shelby and I would stay calm. We both posted a quick funny message on facebook, not realizing how big of a deal it was. (Which I am very grateful we did.)
We got to the base and inside. Did roll call, checked bags, stamped out of the country and paid for meals. Said our (very difficult) goodbyes to Shelby, Sol and Hazel and went through the terminal check point. Tears streaming down Sol, Shelby, Hazel and my cheeks. (Hazel was tired.) I wasn't ready to go. I still had thing to do and I was enjoying having company other than my 4 rugrats.
It wasn't until we settled waiting for them to load us on the bus that we (all 35 passengers) realized how much devastation was caused. The severity of the situation and the thousands of people that were being effected right that minute. People tried calling out, I tried calling my ride home from the airport, but still, all phone lines were jammed. I tried logging onto wifi to message friends and my mom, but the wifi was down. I literally had no contact with anyone outside of that terminal. It was then that the message and truth of the gospel comforted me. I knew that whatever happened, I would be together again with my husband. We would be a family. I could see my husband smile at me and tell me that I was doing great, even though I wasn't.
I know that Aaron trusts me and my ability to act in stressful situations. For the most part, I keep a clear head and am able to know the things I should and shouldn't do. I kept the kids calm and was able to prepare for the 7 hour flight in front of us. I carried 2 back packs, my carry on bag, my purse, a food/drink bag, 2 pillow pets and 2 coats (and myself) to the bus and to the plane. Then back to the bus and back to the terminal.
Folks, I wish this was the end of my story. About 20 minutes after take off, I started smell gas fumes. I mentioned it to the Air Force guy in charge (don't know his title, sorry) and he realized it was gas fumes. They started looking around as it got worse and realized that some of the cargo on board was leaking. They cleaned up the line of gas going towards the back of the bus and it stopped, so they didn't worry about it. They handed out meals. My kids ate then all laid down for sleep time. About 2 hours later, they announced overhead that they were going to drop the oxygen masks and that it wasn't required, but if we were sitting in our chairs, it would be smart to put it on. The fumes were still there but not really changing.
About an hour later, they came back on again and explained that the fumes were getting stronger so it was now required to put the mask on. (Realize, I had not gotten any sleep at this point.) So, I got Kennie up and in the chair. In his seat belt and his mask on. He went back to sleep. Did the same with Nate. Justin was harder to get up and in his chair, but he eventually made it there. I then picked up Maggie and there was no way she was going to wake up. So, she laid on my lap. Put the oxygen masks on everyone, gave Justin permission to play his DSi (he couldn't go back to sleep) and closed my eyes for a few minutes, I slept for just shy of 45 minutes. We wore the oxygen masks all the way to Anchorage. Got ourselves off the plane, to the terminal, discharged by the medical staff and all 7 checked bags, 4 backpacks, my purse, my carry on, 3 pillow pets and 4 coats to the car. (Okay, we left my purse and Nate's backpack at the terminal) and got in Stacie's car.
That was 12 hours ago. I still haven't slept. I am at 31 hours with no sleep. I am D-E-A-D on my feet. My eyes kill, my legs ache and my emotions are all over the board. I can't wait to crawl into MY bed and sleep. Hoping that tomorrow I will wake up to see this is only a nightmare.
I am realistic though. Thousands of people's lives have been changed in a matter of moments. I feel almost as helpless as I did 9-11 except I was there. I felt the earth shake and the buildings move. I selfishly said a prayer that our van would be kept safe. My prayer was answered. Thousands of others are not so fortunate. My heart is so full of gratitude for my knowledge of our plan here on Earth and trust in our Heavenly Father that he and only he knows what will happen and giving us the tools of comfort and inspiration to help us get through those very trying and scary times.
I am SO thankful I was with Shelby. She is someone I can talk to. She knows me and my thoughts without me even expressing them. I trust her and I know she trusts me. We made it through together. Thank you Shelby!! Thank you to all of those who were concerned for us and prayed for us. Prayer is a very powerful tool and I know it works! I am humbled that we were given this opportunity to learn and grow. I have really realized what is important. Not that I didn't already know. I guess I was just reminded!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
It's giveaway time -- Our Best Bites
****This giveaway is now closed****
Seeing that I'm playing in Japan with Shelby - it only feels right to do this giveaway. Shelby is the one who introduced me to our best bites. It's where I have gotten several recipes that I love. Especially White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Ginger Crust. Super yummy and scored lots of $$ for our young women/young men.
Our Best Bites has produced a cookbook. Super excited to get mine!! My favorite recipe of theirs I had when I stayed with Shelby in D.C. in July. It's their Garlic Rosemary Potatoes. We doubled the sauce and covered a pork loin with the sauce and cooked it until almost done then put the potatoes to cook with it. Seriously, divine!!
So, lets go! Give me some yummy recipes!!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Japan – part 3 – Odaiba
In Tokyo, there is a man made island. They call it the island of the future. Odaiba. We headed here Saturday, February 26th.
We took the train. The kids had a blast being on the train. Although, the hour long train line was more than they expected.
We got there, ate lunch (Gyudon – super yummy!) then went exploring. Maggie found pure heaven. A store that is 100% pink. Take a look!
Yes, that is me surrounded by pink. I had a headache before we left. Each of the kids had 100o Yen to spend how ever they choose. Maggie choose to play with Sol in the playland in the Hello Kitty store. Here are my favorite pictures!
The boys all choose to do the same thing with their Yen. I think this should be introduced at State Fairs in the states. They would make a ton of money!
Nate All 3 boys trying to stand up!
Justin Kennie
I am tired, so part 3 will be continued soon!
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