Just when you think you had a good day...

Well today was the last day for me to sleep in late and yep, I tossed and turned and was wide awake at 5 a.m. Oh well, I was still planning on making this a great day no matter what.

Kevin had to work and of course Bre' is gone, but the rest of us got up and had some breakfast and straightened the house so that we could just enjoy the day with nothing to do. I took Cameron and Christopher to meet mom and dad so they could spend some time with them and I went to lunch with Cindy and her mom.

I went to the store and got some items for Kevin, who is watching his diet. Came home and made Homemade Chicken Vegetable Soup, Key Lime Yogurt Pie and some Mrs. Dash Sour Cream Yogurt Dip for Veggies. I cut up all sorts of vegetables for dipping; squash, cucumbers, mushrooms, bell pepper and carrots. I really hope everyone eats them and this doesn't go to waste.

I went and got the kids and that's when my day made a sudden change. Everything was just fine when I left. Not a thing out of place and the volume on the living room t.v. was working just fine. All the dogs put up but Mojo, so maybe that is my answer, lol. I get home, put the dogs out, tell the kids to get bathed and sit down to watch t.v. and I'm watching a silent show only in color...what's up with that? I did everything, change the channel, tried the t.v. remote (ever so dusty) instead of the cable remote and yes I actually walked over to the t.v. like I had to do when I was a kid and turned it up manually and nothing... So anyway I guess I'll just wait for Kevin to get home so I don't mess anything up. Isn't it funny (not really) how when things are going good something always costs you. Well I guess this will be a good excuse to send the kids to their rooms and Kevin and I to cuddle in bed and watch t.v. tonight. Hey, you gotta look at the bright side of everything.

Here are my recipes for Key Lime Yogurt Pie and Mrs. Dash Sour Cream Yogurt Dip (have tried just got this one of the Internet today). Enjoy them.

Sour Cream Yogurt Dip

1 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
2 tbsp. Mrs. Dash Original Blend
1/2 tsp. sugar

Mix everything well together, cover and chill for 2-3 hours or overnight. Stir and Serve with fresh cut veggies.

Key Lime Yogurt Pie

1 graham cracker crust
2 containers Key Lime yogurt (you can use any flavor you like)
1 small container of cool whip

Mix yogurt and cool whip together well and pour into graham cracker crust, place in freezer for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, remove from freezer and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Taking it easy...

Today was a strange Friday... a mix of work, relaxation and some fun. We slept in until about 8 a.m. and for us that was sleeping in. The kids straightened their rooms while I made biscuits and gravy for breakfast. After a Hearty Southern Breakfast, I started the daily laundry, cleaned the kitchen and the kids played for a while. Had to run to Walmart (didn't buy anything) just to sign and insurance paper to get Breanna's new glasses ordered... some new thing they do.

We came home and worked on our Halloween Treats. We decided to make Ghost Suckers and everyone pitched in. We will be handing them out at the Halloween Trunk or Treat at Christ Family Church Halloween Night.

Since it was raining this morning I thought I'd turn the A/C on because it was a little stuffy in the house. After about an hour I noticed it seemed hotter...yep it wasn't working. Dad came by and like before it froze up. We did survive the day with the doors open and breeze coming in since it did stop raining. Thank goodness dad came to the rescue...Kevin was at work.

Kevin is watching his diet and is trying to eat "heart healthy", so that means low-fat and salt-free. We shopped for some spices and decided on some Mrs. Dash. I've used it in the past a lot but had stopped buying it. I made Caribbean Baked Chicken, sauteed Squash and Onions with the Caribbean Seasoning and a little Orange Juice and then made some Garlic Scalloped Potatoes for dinner. It was pretty good and everyone seemed satisfied.

I had to drop Breanna off tonight to spend the weekend with her bio-mom...she had mixed feelings about wanting to go. But by the time we headed out she had stopped making excuses about not wanting to go. It must be hard to leave the place you call home and go to a place where you just aren't sure if people care for you. That issue seems to really be on this five year old's mind.

The boys are having game night, not wanting to read the directions and keep asking me everything. Kevin just got home from work and we plan to relax and watch some t.v. or a movie. Lately I'm wide awake again at night and he is sacked out before me...my insomnia is creeping up again. I wish I could just fall asleep like everyone else. You'd have to suffer from it to understand.

Oh, I wanted to share something with everyone today...

Be sure to teach your children that no matter what, it is always better to tell the truth. If you expose you children to learn that you tell lies or always try to cover something up, they will just mimic you. It becomes second nature and they really don't know any different. Think about this the next time you try to cover something up, make something sound better than it really is or just flat out change the facts...your child is striving to be you, and if you're a liar then you are teaching them to be one.

Ichiban...yum!

Well last night we went to Ichiban...Cameron's favorite Japanese Steak House. This is his annual birthday tradition, he always chooses Ichiban for his Special Birthday Dinner. The food is great, but the kids faces while they prepare the food is priceless. It doesn't matter how many times they see it, they look amazed every time. We really had a great time...and they ended the night with a pineapple boat and candles in oranges, singing happy birthday to both Cameron and Breanna. It was a great family night...thanks dad for picking up the tab.

Hump Day!

Well we are finally at hump day, Wednesday. I had to work at Serenity Pointe today. I wish I could go more than once a week but my family needs me. It's nice to be needed. I love the atmosphere there, nothing like any work place environment me or anyone else has ever experienced I'm sure.

Kevin had all three kids today. He managed to take Breanna to the eye doctor and guess what her eyesight is improving just like he thought and her prescription isn't going to be as strong anymore. Still strong, but not as bad. He went and had his chest xray for his physical and the Xray Tech let Bre' watch...she got to see her dad's heart, lol.

They made a Halloween Haunted House today and I think it looks pretty good. I might have to taste it tomorrow.



Kevin decided to clean up the yard and all the kids pitched in and helped him...wonder what got into them. So when I came home the yard looked great and we decided to go to Walmart and pick out some glasses for Bre'. Of course we have to wait and see what the insurance if any is going to pay for since it was after 5 p.m. We picked out some really cute and stylish ones. I was hoping they would be back in time for school pictures but doesn't look like the will be. We decided to make use of all leftovers and made Kielbasa wraps for dinner, not bad. Kids got baths and had snacks. Then it was time to make a dreaded call.

Why does it seem that when you try to do the right thing, it just makes it worse? Breanna's bio-mom gets to spend time with her on her birthday, which is next Wednesday. Well, not only do we go to church on Wednesday nights but it is a school night, so we came up with a great plan that would benefit Breanna. The visitation is basically unscheduled and we are to plan it taking into account that it is either a weekend or weekday, the schedule and also the amount of time Kevin wants to spend with her. So we thought that since this weekend is her regularly scheduled weekend we would just see if she wanted to get her around noon instead of 6 p.m. and that would give her 6 more hours of visitation uninterrupted. The other option would be for her to get her at 4:30 p.m. and return her to us at 6:30 p.m. so that Breanna could attend church and we could take cupcakes to her church class. Keep in mind that would only allow for two hours and we figured that if she did that then she could just spend time in the area to visit with her instead of driving all the way to Bridgeport, AL (over an hour drive). So Kevin made the call so she wouldn't call us at the last minute. What a disaster... Not only did she feel like we were trying to control everything and dictate to her instead of looking at it like we were giving her a few options, but she decided to bring up the past all the way back to the Titanic I think...good heavens. So after a long accusing conversation she decided that she would have to consult her attorney to see what she says before she decides what to do. Why would you pick your child up an hour away, drive an hour back to your house only to drop them off a hour later and then make your child ride and hour back to their home missing church and a party they really want to have? Let's call that selfish and wanting to be in control. Forget Breanna has been looking forward to this party and loves going to church. It just upsets me to think that a parent would rather try to prove a point that to work things out, always trying to make themselves the victim (I could really tell some stories about that). So after thinking about it a little while, I figure as usual she will say she called her attorney and threaten us with something that we are supposed to be afraid of, but well last time that happened we found out her attorney basically had washed her hands of her little situation. So we are going to stick to our guns, she can do the Friday early pick up or spend two hours locally with her. Do you think we are being fair?

When I started this I wasn't going to be specific on certain things, but I think that our situation just might be helpful to others...sometimes it's nice to know you aren't the only one going through life with these issues. I found out that as a Christian you put other people first, especially your children..Kevin and I ask our kids to help make decisions and we do the best to follow through on what we say. Beyond your kids, I've learned you can't make people do the right thing, they have to want to. And sometimes trying to work things out brings out the worst in you. So remember like I try, I'm not perfect, but as a Christian I have to lead by example and that can be very hard at times. The sad part is we have a little girl tonight that thinks her bio-mom doesn't listen to her or really even care about what she wants...and the bio-mom is so blinded by her selfishness she can't see she is doing damage, not just tonight but on several issues in the past. I pray that all parents whether together, divorced or any situation keep in mind that the children didn't ask for this situation that they created and no matter how hard it is do what is best for them. God please give us all the wisdom you had for your son Jesus. You gave the ultimate sacrifice and in my opinion that had to have been the hardest thing any parent could have ever done. Thank you God!

I thought it was warming up????

Well we started out early...Child Support office, then headed to Walmart for what was supposed to be a quick oil change...an hour and half later, I took the kids to CiCi's Pizza for lunch (I must have my head examined for that one). Cameron had another bad headache, sinus I think so I headed to Walgreen's on the way home for some meds for him. Nice afternoon at home...Chris played, Bre' watched a movie and Cameron took a nap. Ended up making my own throw together Jambalaya for dinner with some garlic bread...mmmm. Kids are showering and I'm going to get things straightened up and wait for Kevin to come home. We both have a busy day planned tomorrow.

Pammy's Jambalaya

2 boxes Rice A Roni Beef Flavor
4 1/2 cups water
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup taco sauce or salsa
1 can corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can beans, pinto or kidney
1 package of Kielbasa
Creole Seasoning, Garlic and Onion Powder

Melt butter in pot and add Rice A Roni (set flavor packet aside). Brown Rice then add water and taco sauce and flavor packets and seasonings to liking then urn to high heat. Drain beans and corn and add, add tomatoes, slice Kielbasa and add. Stir and Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Enjoy!

Fall Break Begins

The kids have really been enjoying the first day of Fall Break. They have all played well together, which is such a wonderful blessing. I've been doing laundry and getting Cameron's medical files ready to take to Child Support in the morning...nothing like turning in $8,000 worth of medical receipts that need to be reimbursed. To bad I can't get that all at once...no such luck. Made homemade burritos for dinner and it was wonderful. They were quick and easy.

Quick and Easy Burritos

1lb ground turkey (everyone knows I seldom eat beef)
1 taco or burrito seasoning packet
1 cup chunky salsa
1 can refried beans
1 pkg spanish rice
flour tortillas
shredded cheese
lettuce
tomatoes
sour cream

Make Spanish Rice according to package. Brown turkey, add seasoning packet and salsa until well blended then add refried beans and cooked Spanish Rice. Then build your burritos just the way you like them.

Let me know if you make them. Nothing like short cuts in the kitchen.

Double Birthday Celebration

Saturday was a busy day. We got the cakes picked up and delivered all the last minute stuff to the party and finished the set up. Headed down to Soddy Lake for the 1st Annual Pumpkin Fest. It was really cold but the kids had a good time just looking around and sipping hot cocoa. Then it was party time. We had a great kids menu of hot dogs, chili, slaw, chips, cake and ice cream. What more could a kid want? Breanna's side was done in Disney Princess Pink with a Castle Cake and Cameron went for the I'm to old for figurines on my cake and had just green and purple with balloon decorations on his side. Cameron got tons of money and lots of presents including a Tennessee Orange Digital Camera as well as Portable DVD Player. Breanna got money, tons of clothes, stuff to redecorate her room and lots of Littlest Pet Shop stuff. We had a great time with family and friends and the Pinata was a success as always. Sorry we missed any of you that couldn't make it.

By the way I'm out of practice on this blog and all the photos loaded backwards and since I'm headed to church you'll just have to forgive me this time. Hope you enjoy.