Wordless Wednesday
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007
(This is my son Bailey who turned 13 this month. He is the sweetest little guy in the world!)
For more wordless wednesdays go to 5 minutes for mom…
Archive for February, 2007
(This is my son Bailey who turned 13 this month. He is the sweetest little guy in the world!)
Menu Plan Monday
Monday, February 26th, 2007
Happy Monday! This is going to be a busy day (as usual). We just started Izzy’s new programme pretty much Sunday evening because it took that long to get the swing mounted to her therapy room ceiling and fix her bed to elevate for rolling… fun stuff. Anyway, she did well and I am excited to see what changes start happening in the next few days, weeks, months, … We have hippo therapy today at 1:00 p.m. Izzy loves riding Opie the horse and it is such a great therapy. Okay, I guess it’s time to plan a menu huh?
Monday
Taco chicken casserole, green beans, rolls
Tuesday
Gyros
Wednesday
beans, potatoes, and cornbread
Thursday
Spaghetti, corn, french bread
Friday
burgers
Saturday
Chinese carryout! (my favorite)
Beef Gyro Recipe
1/2 c. beef broth
2 T. Olive Oil
1 garlic clove (minced or pressed)
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. oregano
dash pepper
1 pound boneless beef sirloin cut into strips
2/3 c. cucumber ranch dressing
1 t. sugar
gyro style pitas, or flatbread
2 c. chopped lettuce
1 c. chopped tomato
1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 small red onion, sliced
In large resealable bag, combine first six ingredients, seal and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
In small bowl, combine salad dressing and sugar, refrigerate until serving. Drain and discard marinade. In large nonstick skillet saute beef for 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink. Serve on pitas with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onion. Drizzle with dressing.
Taco Chicken
. 5 medium chicken breasts, boiled and slivered
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can rotel tomoatoes
1 medium onion
1 bell pepper
2 cups of shredded sharp chedder cheese
1 large bag of plain doritoes
Boil chicken, sliver it in medium chunks. Mix all canned ingredients in large bowl. Dice onion and pepper and add to mixture. Add half the cheese and mix well. Layer the bottom of a casserole dish with doritoes, then add a layer of chicken, then mixture, then cheese, do this two times, ending with cheese, you can add more cheese if you like. Bake at 375 degrees F. for about 45 minutes or until cheese is bubbly
One great things is I have the taco chicken made in the freezer, and the gyros are marinated and also in the freezer so several days will be easy as a breeze! I hope you have a great week!
blessings~
Annie
For more menus hop over to Organizing Junkie!
Monday, February 26th, 2007
| What American accent do you have?
Your Result: The Midland
“You have a Midland accent” is just another way of saying “you don’t have an accent.” You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio. |
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| Philadelphia |
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| The South |
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| The Inland North |
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| The West |
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| The Northeast |
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| Boston |
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| North Central |
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| What’>http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_american_accent_do_you_have”>What American accent do you have? Quiz’>http://www.gotoquiz.com/”>Quiz Created on GoToQuiz |
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Weekend Reflection #3
Saturday, February 24th, 2007
Whew… what a week this was!
I spent the beginning of the week preparing for the trip to Ponca City for our reassessment for Isabelle with the AIAHP guys from Australia.
On Wednesday we spent the afternoon out in the nice sunshine doing our history interview with Chad. It was a beautiful day, and it is so pretty in Ponca City. Izzy laid on a blanket while we went over all we have experienced the past six months. Later in the day Izzy was assessed. They checked to see how aware she was of feeling things like ticking her legs and arms with a feather, even pinching. She sure did respond to everything! They tested her tracking and grasp. She did grasp and release Chad’s finger. She also grabbed his shirt and tried to knock his clipboard out of his hands. It was great!
We got in the hbot chamber 4 times this trip which is good, can’t wait to do more.
We all enjoyed a meal together at Jane’s house. They are such hospitable and terrific people. Their home is beautiful, it is historic… built in early 1900’s by same architect that built the marland mansion in their town. It is around 8 or 9000 sq. ft. and is really full of character. We spent the night in the ‘carriage house’ where the chamber is kept in the guest quarters. We got up early to start more hbot for Iz.
Later in the day they gave us the results of all their testing. They were so pleased with Izzy. It was nice to hear positive information when much of the time it is so negative, but I am still reeling and overwhelmed by what we need to do … I posted the results over on Izzy’s blog.
Matt and I spent the day yesterday trying to find the things to make what we need for Izzy’s new programme. Later I took Emelia to her cousin Brooke’s birthday party at build a bear followed by pizza and ice cream. Too much fun! She did have a great time & it was a nice get away. Emelia is such a character. She was talking to me on the drive over about a little boy in her class and then said “relationships are tough.” She is 8. UGH.
I helped at a baby shower this morning at church. It was a great shower and I enjoyed visiting with several people very interested in what we found out this week at Izzy’s assessment. Finally, I went to the store and bought food I normally don’t like to buy because poor Amanda and Bailey said we have nothing to eat 
There is food here… just maybe not their favorites. WE are stocked now and ready for whatever comes at us.
This was a good week. I am blessed.
For more weekend reflections, pop over to Mommy of Two.
Friday’s Feast
Friday, February 23rd, 2007
Appetizer
Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?
I have a scar in the bend of my arm where I caught it on a fence. It was raised for a long time but is getting smaller finally…
Soup
What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?
Izzy … coming back after drowning, other things along the way…
Salad
Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.
Any of them who take themselves too seriously…
Main Course
What was a funny word you said as a child (such as “pasketti” for “spaghetti”)?
I said welwant for elephant…
Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have always thought ______ was ______.
fruit … gross
Pop into Friday’s Feast for more…
Slow Cooker Thursday ~ taco chicken
Friday, February 23rd, 2007
Well, I almost missed this slow cooker Thursday. We just got in from Ponca City with our little Izzy. Had the assessment by the Australians and other interesting experiences which I am heading over to Izzy’s blog shortly to post that update.
For now, I am going to post a quick but easy and really good crock pot recipe! I can’t wait to look around tomorrow at everyone’s recipes!
Taco Chicken…
chicken (duh?) I use frozen boneless skinless breasts
can of rotel, or cup of salsa
couple of cloves of garlic (pressed)
can of cream of chicken soup
can of cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
mix all ingredients, pour over chicken, cook all day… serve over doritos with shredded cheddar cheese on top!
Head over to family corner for more…
Menu Plan Monday!
Monday, February 19th, 2007
This is going to be a different week because we are going out of town for Izzy’s
AIAHP reevaluation. But this is my plan as it stands now…
Monday: Leftover chinese food (bought last night and tons left) YEAH no cooking!
Tuesday: Taco meatloaf, corn on the cob, spanish rice
Wedneday: out of town!
Thursday: out of town!
Friday: Brooke’s (little cousin) 8th birthday party at build a bear, 6 p.m. Probably order pizza for Matt and head to the mall for the party!
I have so many new recipes from all my blogger friends I am excited to try! Hopefully next week! I’m praying for a good assessment from our aiahp guys for Izzy.
To participate in Menu Plan Monday, go to Organizing Junkie’s page for details.
Taco Meat Loaf
1 egg
1 egg
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup salsa
2 to 4 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 pounds lean ground beef
Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced ripe olives
In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Pat into the bottom of a 3-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 160°. Top with sour cream, salsa, cheese, lettuce and olives if desired.
Tag… I’m it! Thankful Meme
Sunday, February 18th, 2007
Carrie has tagged me! The theme is 3 things we’re thankful for! I’m thankful for so much so I’ll just put the first three that come to mind… in random order of course.
1. I’m thankful for my children. They are all so special and unique… I’ll share!
Amanda is 16. She is a super hard worker in school. She is in AP classes and is already in Algebra III (10th grade). She always makes A’s, was valedictorian last year. She played basketball from 1st grade until 9th but chose the academic route this year. She helps with Izzy and had a huge heart for both people and animals.
Bailey (John Bailey) is 13. I named him Bailey because that was my maiden name and I liked it. He is a terrific kid. He is really sensitive and caring. He is sweet to his siblings and to me! He has always been the one to go out of his way to include others and do random acts of kindness.
Emelia is 8 (nine in a few weeks). She is a drama queen! She loves makeup and high heels! She is always one step behind me trying to help with everything. She loves people and never meets a stranger. She goes with my mother to the nursing home often to visit my grandfather. She spends much of the time going from person to person, putting lotion on their hands and just talking to them. She is very loving.
Isabelle is the baby… 4 years old. She is a little doll. She is recovering from an anoxic brain injury due to a near drowning accident. She is showered with love and affection around the clock and is too sweet for words. (not to mention beautiful) Her strength, endurance and will to live has been awe inspiring the last few years and she has already surpassed doctors predictions.
2. My parents… they only live 1 block away. They are great, I was so blessed growing up in so many ways. They love each other, and have always put that love ahead of everything else (except God of course). There is nothing they cannot accomplish, and nothing they don’t believe I can accomplish! They are always there for me and I love them fiercely.
3. Matt… He’s a great husband. He has made it possible for me to be a sahm all these years and that is such a blessing. He has always been generous with me, putting my needs first. I do spoil him in many ways, he works hard for our family and he deserves it. He was a rock for me during Izzy’s hospitalization and continues to push me to make goals that I probably wouldn’t alone. He pushes the envelope in a lot of areas, but it forces me to step a little out of my comfort zone. His partnership in life also came with his family, they are also now my family. We just lost his grandmothers in the last six months and I loved them as if they were my own grandmothers. His mother, sister & aunt are very dear to me too.
Weekend Reflection #2
Sunday, February 18th, 2007
Another week come and gone, they come and go so quickly…
Monday was Amanda’s first day at her new job… yes JOB!!! She is working at a place that sells feed and seed. She is pretty happy about it because it is close to home, she dresses casual, doesn’t see people she knows while there, and can do her Algebra III while at work in the evenings. Her schedule is only two evenings and half a day on Saturday, perfect!
Tuesday I ran around getting everything ready for Valentine’s Day!
Wednesday (Valentine’s Day) I went to my Aunt Louise’s funeral. She was my dad’s sister. There were 9 children in his family and she is the first to die. She lived in Houston, so her grown children had a funeral there and then flew her to Oklahoma so her siblings and their families could also have a service and she was buried in the cemetery their mother is buried in.
Although I am tired of people dying (seriously!) It is interesting how much you gain from summarizing a person’s life. I am amazed at what is mentioned, what’s important. One service the preacher said that your life is the dash between two dates, it’s what you make of the dash. I want my dash to be pleasing to God first, to help my children’s life’s also please God.
I left the funeral and rushed to Emelia’s school for her party. We then headed home to start making our heart shaped meatloaves. Amanda went to eat with her friend (male) and we stayed in. It was a cozy evening.
Thursday it snowed! I have been fighting so hard for months and months to get Izzy approved for a program called Tefra that is a federally funded program based on her income rather than our income. WELL… this day I received the call that she is APPROVED!!!! This means that her teeth will soon be fixed (all crowned…). I spent the next half hour on the phone finding a good pediatric dentist that accepts our dental private insurance as well as the tefra. I did. She goes week after next. I am so excited to check this off our to do list. As if this was not enough good news for one day… I then got a letter from “make a wish” saying Izzy gets a wish. This is really exciting. Her little friend “C” went to Disney world. They stayed in a really neat place and had a great time! We are going to be thinking about what a good wish would be.
Friday me & Izzy stayed home most of the day and cleaned house. It was a productive day. Jane Ellen (Matt’s Aunt) and Jane Ann (Matt’s sister) both came Friday evening to spend the night. We were celebrating the February birthdays. We just got pizzas for dinner. Jane Ann picked the menu for Saturday because she was the birthday girl. She chose beans, cornbread, fried potatoes and Strawberry cake… oh and cinnamon rolls.
Today, Saturday, I got up really early to take Amanda to work. I was so excited to see the automatic car wash line free. So, I washed my car before 7 a.m. With all this snow and stuff the cars are so dirty. I ran to Walmart to get a few things for the day. I came home and started the beans with ham, and then made french toast, Parmesan eggs, link sausage, and bacon. YUM. I highlighted Jane Ann’s hair and fixed it for her and then started working on lunch. Paula (matt’s mom) and John (her hubby) came down today and they started frying potatoes… The lunch was really delicious. Everyone has left now and we are resting and watching “The Other Sister.” I intended for me & Izzy to lay down and take a nap, but that didn’t happen… oh well, maybe tomorrow!
This was a good week. Many blessings!
For more Weekend Reflections go to Judi’s site.
Near Drownings…
Friday, February 16th, 2007
I am a member of an online group that is made up of parents or caregivers of near drownings. There are some that are older and have had car accidents that have caused them to nearly drown, or a few that have had chokings which also has the same outcome of anoxic brain injury.
Anyway, I was reading the group emails this morning and there are two new members today. I took time to go to the web site of the first child that was mentioned. He was four, with a friend for a playdate. The other little boy’s father was making the boys a sandwich for lunch and the boys found a box, climbed over the fence and made it to the neighbor’s pool. The water was very cold. They both drowned. The first is in critical condition, the second is making steady progress.
The next story I read this morning is about a family who had a three year old and a teenager. The teenager had a pool party and some of the teens put a shoe in the door because they were tired of entering a security code each time they went in the house. The little child was watching cartoons. The party ended and the parents were cooking in the kitchen, heard the show end and went to check on the child. They looked 20 minutes, everywhere but the pool because there were two locked doors to get to the pool. This child is unresponsive and the doctors are suggesting organ donation.
I am shocked and horrified each time I read about another child that has had this same accident. A swimming pool should be treated like a loaded gun! It is not a rare occurence, it happens too often.
Knowing what I now know, after experiencing this first hand and visiting with too many mothers who are living this, I would not have a pool with a child under six years old. My child would have swimming lessons as soon as possible because there are bodies of water everywhere and you cannot be everywhere. If I had a pool I would have every alarm system made so that if anyone fell into the pool we would know. I would not leave my child with a friend or relative that had a pool . I know that sounds harsh, but I have just read too many stories. I am finished having children. I only hope that these stories prevent another. It just breaks my heart…