It’s been a great weekend… really it has. Friday I took Izzy to Bear, Emelia talked me into a stop off at Penn Square Mall on our way home. She said she hadn’t been to the mall in a long time. Probably a whole week! I wanted to get Amanda a surprise for another round of all A’s. She said her chemistry teacher said she made the only 100 on her final exam in his 3 chemistry classes. She was out of the cologne she likes to wear from Hollister so we got that and then Emelia got lots of earrings and stuff at Icing. I ran in NY and Co. and found a few shirts on sale and we left.

Friday night we went to my brother’s daughter Sarai’s graduation. I enjoyed sitting between my mom and dad with both brothers there on the same row. Bailey spent the weekend at a friend’s house out of town. He came home Saturday afternoon covered (head to toe) in poison ivy. Poor guy. It’s even on his face. We may try to find a after hours clinic tomorrow to see about getting a shot or something. Matt and I headed to Lowe’s Saturday morning. We got plants and flowers and ferns… it was a fun outing. We came home and worked in the yard all afternoon and then headed down to mom & dad’s house for Sarai’s graduation party.

Today we went to church… taught our classes together because the sr. high teachers were gone today too. We came home and sent Amanda and Lorenzo out to get us all Subway for lunch and then me and Bailey went running around trying to find Wii fit. No luck. It was sold out everywhere. Emelia was gone with the children’s church group to see a movie all afternoon. It was so quiet I was able to sneak in a nap with Izzy. I actually slept through evening church services! Matt sat through almost two chick flicks tonight. P.S. I love you and 27 Dresses. He headed to bed half way into the second movie. I did enjoy P.S. I love you.

We don’t have any big plans for Memorial Day. I imagine we’ll work in the yard a little more and I’m hoping to work in a trip to the mall. I still have a gift card or two and some money earmarked for Mother’s Day (from Matt) … It’s funner to shop now that I’ve lost a few pounds (25 actually).

I am starting to get tired of my standard meal … the grilled chicken and salad we’ve been having, but I will probably have it several times again. We’ve eaten out every meal this weekend. Seriously. Friday night we had gyros (well I had a black olive pizza (or one slice of a black olive pizza) because meat is gross right now to me); Saturday breakfast Amanda went to Braums and got carryout. They got the order all wrong so I skipped breakfast. Saturday lunch was Sonic. I had half a bacon burger. Saturday night was dinner at mom’s (the grad. party) … grilled burgers and lots of yummy desserts! Sunday I had the standard cinnamon rolls for breakfast, Subway for lunch and quick sandwiches (black forest ham on toasted wheat bread with baby swiss cheese and mayo) for a super late dinner because of my super long nap!

Monday night we’ll have grilled chicken, salad with shaved parm cheese and fresh veggies…

Tuesday will be chicken burritos.

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 (4 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• hot sauce to taste

This is a delicious and easy burrito/taco filling—it freezes well, too! I serve this with tortillas, shredded Cheddar cheese and little sour cream. You can also assemble the burritos and put them in a baking dish, cover with salsa and cheese, and bake for about 10 minutes.

Wednesday grilled chicken and salad again…

Thursday Steak & baked potatoes.

Friday splurge … fettuccine alfredo with grilled chicken and fresh broccoli (YUM!)

Hope you have a great week. For more menus head over to Org. Junkie!

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What is a positive tradition or godly character trait that you learned from your extended family that you hope to pass down to your own family?

There are so many great things I learned from my family that I hope my children learn as well. From my mother, I learned selflessness. I’m not near as good as it as she is, but I learned that it is better to put others first. She always has an open seat at her dinner table and there is always enough food for one more person. I learned that it is better to give than receive and that you should always be thankful for anything given to you. Which means always send a note or at the very least make a phone call saying thank you.

From my dad I learned that even when things are not going the right way you can still keep your cool and maintain calmness in any situation. He has modeled this my whole life. I remember a trip we took to Eureka Springs. We were just out of the state when the brakes stopped working. We called a mechanic but it was late and the weekend. We drove to the next town and were in a garage meant for semi trucks until 3 or 4 a.m. They didn’t have what was necessary to fix the car. So dad drove us to yet another little town inching closer to the cabin we had reserved… and we all slept. We woke up a few hours later and dad was gone. The car was still there. He walked five miles to a Cadillac dealership he had found out about and got the part there. He walked all the way back, no complaints, and then put the part on the car. We drove to our destination and never missed a beat. He never got mad or upset or anything. He just worked to resolve the situation. I think that is huge and a great character trait.

There are so many things along those lines learned from my parents, they were great examples… and still are today.

I’m blogging here today:

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