I found out from Lauren this morning that she had chosen me as one of her five to pay forward this thinking blogger award that has been showing up all over blogville lately. I was really touched that she thinks my blog causes her to ‘think.’ So, thank you Lauren!

I started originally with just Izzy’s blog, and then felt like I wanted to share more of myself so I started this blog. I have really enjoyed blogging and especially the friends I have gained. The time I use to blog is made up for by the organizational skills I am developing and the recipes I have found!

So now my task is to award this to five fellow bloggers who also cause me to think. This is the hard part because you all make me think! I am going to try to pick people who have not yet been nominated also.

I met JennaG over at A Joyful Journey right after she started her blog. I have really enjoyed getting to know her. Jenna has led me in the direction of books and movies that I would not have found otherwise. I’m very glad I met Jenna, even if not IRL…

Carrie is my pal from “My lil’ Corner of the World.” She has such a sweet and sentimental view of the world. She shares her love for nature and life in such a kind way. I think more about the things around me because of Carrie.

Loving Annie, other than just having a great name :o), has a great blog. She hosts ‘One Kind Act Wednesday.’ She has posted many things on her blog that have caused me to think.

There are two bloggers I do know in real life and their blogs also make me think.

Julie (Gigi’s little blog) has been my friend for several years. She actually became Gigi when my son Bailey couldn’t quite say Julie so he began calling her Gigi. It stuck. Julie is a busy momma with six kids and one on the way.

AnnB (Each Day is a Gift), is my oldest brother’s wife. She started blogging about the struggles and joys of caring for her mother. Now her mother is home in heaven, but Ann continues to address issues that are cause to think.

I can’t believe how fast those five came, there are so many other bloggers who make me think… like Sheryl, Irene, Haley, Jenny, Judi, Linda, Heather, Michelle, Barb, Mandalyn, CoachJ, and Amanda!

So, now you five get the fun job of nominating five and proudly displaying the award on your sidebar.

Stromboli

1 loaf frozen bread dough
2 eggs, seperated
1 TBSP parmesean cheese
1 TBSP parsley
1/2 TBSP garlic powder(I’ll press a few cloves of garlic)
1 TBSP oregano
1/2 TBSP pepper
approximately 2 TBSP olive
1/2 lb cooked Italian sausage OR pepperoni
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced (I use 2 small cans)
Oil frozen bread dough and defrost 3-4 hours, per package instructions. Roll out with hands to 1/4 inch thickness. Mix egg yolks, seasonings and spread on dough. Top with meat, mushrooms, and cheese. Roll lengthwise & shape into a horseshoe shape. Place seam side down on a cookie sheet. Brush with egg whites. Bake at 350′ for 30 minutes. Slice into 1″ pieces. Serve with hot pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce.

Easter Ham…

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 (8 pound) cured, bone-in picnic ham

DIRECTIONS

1. Spread about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar on the bottom of the slow cooker crock. Place the ham flat side down into the slow cooker - you might have to trim it a little to make it fit. Use your hands to rub the remaining brown sugar onto the ham. Cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours.

Enjoy!

I mentioned that we took Izzy Monday for botox and phenol injections. She is already appearing more relaxed and flexible. The phenol’s effects are immediate, the botox takes about two weeks to have full effects. The plan is that in two weeks we will go back to the physical therapist at the place we went for botox and begin serial casting on Izzy’s feet. Each week for four weeks they will remove and replace the casts to get her feet in the right position. I am not really looking forward to this four weeks for a few reasons… Izzy is already pretty heavy (about 45 pounds) and it will make everything a little harder having casts on. The main reason is I am not sure how she will handle this. They tried doing serial casting when we were in Dallas not long after her near drowning, she was still in the middle of the neurostorms and really freaked out. They had to remove them immediately because her heartrate went to 250 bpm. Anyway, I just pray that this works for her feet.

I took Izzy to the dentist today for her 10 day follow up on her dental procedures. She got a thumbs up A+. Everything looks really good, is healing perfectly. Praise God. One less thing now to think about.

We did therapy two times today. After the dentist trip and quick lunch with my buddy Melody (carryout from Panera-yum!), I came home and Jane (from church) came over to help with therapy. She usually comes on Wednesdays. Later Amanda then mom helped with the second session. It got pretty crazy around here while trying to cook dinner, realizing it was time for Bailey’s track to be finished, trying to do therapy… I need to clone myself so I can be in three places at once. I know we all have moments like this! Izzy did really well in assisted crawling today which was good because I wasn’t sure what the phenol and botox would do with her muscles and the crawling.

We… as a family… are continuing our nightly chain prayers. The kids really enjoy it and come to us to remind us in the evenings. Matt and I were laying down to go to sleep last night and were talking about the interesting things the kids pray for. Such sweet prayers going up. Speaking of prayers, I feel so blessed to know so many are raising Izzy and our family up in prayer now. It is very comforting and I know that God is guiding our steps.

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” Psalm 34:1 NLT