Week in Review August 31, 2008

Lots of things have happened in the last week or so that I just haven’t made the time to blog about.  I decided to show you what we’ve been up to…enjoy the pictures!

Emma lost her first tooth last week.  When she asked me about the tooth fairy, I told her, “All I know is that she is tall and thin and beautiful.”  Her response was, “Is it Staci?”  (I know that made Staci feel great!)  Emma was so proud and couldn’t wait to go to school and put her name on the Lost Tooth chart!

 

Barry completed his first triathlon last Saturday.  He did awesome, placing 5th overall.  Way to go, Babe!  We were all able to make it out to cheer him on.  I sure was glad it wasn’t me who had to run through all of that standing water that Fay left behind.  (YUK!)  He was a trooper!  (And no, not everyone who trains for a triathlon looks this good!)

 

Ansley was the first student in her preK class chosen to bring her class mascot, Delphina the dolpin home for the weekend.  She was so excited to bring her to Melbourne overnight! 

 

Jackson is getting so big…I think this picture shows how grown up he is. 

 

My brother and his wife, Tim and Robin, came down from Tennessee for a visit with their daughter, Kylie this past week.  Kylie will be turning a year old next week, so my parents threw her a little birthday party for the family on Friday night.  We had fun, but I’m not sure she liked the cake so much!  Happy Birthday, Kylie.  We loved spending time with you celebrating your first year.  Now that you live a little closer, we hope to see you more in your second year of life than we did your first!  We love you!

 

At Home With Amanda August 27, 2008

My friend Jacklynn gave me two delicious crock pot recipes that I have made in the last few days.  I love being able to throw some ingredients in a crock pot and not have to think about dinner until it’s time to eat!  I have to warn you, these recipes aren’t very low in fat or calories, so if you’re trying to be healthy, you may want to stop reading now.  But if you want to indulge, these are definitely some good comfort foods!

Bistro Chicken and Cream Sauce

10 – 12 slices dried beef

6 chicken breasts

1 c. cooking wine

1 package dry Italian dressing mix

6 oz. cream cheese

2 cans cream of chicken

Layer dried beef on bottom of crock pot, lay chicken on top.  Mix 1/2 c. cooking wine with Italian dressing mix.  Pour over chicken.  Cook on low 5 – 6 hours.

Remove chicken from crock pot.

Whisk together cream cheese, 1/2 c. cooking wine and cream of chicken soup.  Pour into crock pot, let simmer 20 minutes.  Add chicken to mixture.  Serve over egg noodles.

Triple Chocolate Mess

4 eggs

1 box devil’s food cake mix

1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix

2 c. sour cream

3/4 c. vegetable oil

1 c. water

6 oz. chocolate chips

Mix first 6 ingredients together with mixer.  Add chocolate chips.

Pour into crock pot.

Cook on low 4 – 5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.  Serve with cool whip or ice cream.

First Day of Pre-K August 20, 2008

Ansley was really disappointed that Fay postponed her first day of school.  She was supposed to start yesterday, but instead got to start today.  She was really excited and couldn’t wait to get dressed and get out the door.  (If you know Ansley, you know this is not typical behavior…let’s just say that I use the phrase “Hurry up”  with her about a dozen times every morning!)  I was happy to see her so excited and eager to start her school year.   Everything went well her first day, except for the fact that they didn’t get to play on the playground.  She made lots of new friends and can’t wait to go back tomorrow.

Ansley, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you.  We can’t believe that you are already starting Pre-K!  We know you will do great at school.  We love you and we are looking forward to a great school year!

It was odd having just Jackson with me today.  I almost didn’t know what to do with myself!  (almost!)  We started off the morning with breakfast with Angie at Morning Glories for her birthday.  Happy birthday, Angie!  I’m so glad you were born and that you are a part of my life.  Your friendship means more to me than you know! 

First Day Jitters August 18, 2008

Well, to be honest, Emma wasn’t nervous at all…I was more jittery than she was. 

This morning I was in the kitchen making a back to school breakfast for Emma and Ansley.  (Don’t give me too much credit, it was Pillsbury cinnamon rolls from a can.)  I was just about to go get her out of bed so that she would have plenty of time to get ready, when she walks in the kitchen, completely dressed, shoes on, hair brushed and announces that she has already made her bed and is ready for first grade! 

After I walked Emma to her hallway, I watched my little girl walk over to the kids in her class (which has no one from her Kindergarten room) and start talking to the other kids like she’s known them forever.  I was so proud of her…I would have been a nervous wreck.  I told her goodbye and had to ask for a hug.  (She’s so independent!)  I was happy to walk away and not have to worry about her during the day.  I said a quick prayer for her and I knew she would be fine.

When I picked Emma up this afternoon, she was full of energy, telling me how great first grade is and how “it is much differenter than Kindergarten…you don’t get to play, EVER!”  If you know Emma, you won’t be surprised to know that she said that with a smile on her face…she loves school! 

Emma, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and the confident little girl you have become.  We hope you have a great year in first grade!

 

 

Livin’ on a Prayer August 17, 2008

That was the theme of today’s service.  Josh and the band did a great job setting the scene with this Bon Jovi classic.  Byron‘s message was awesome…or should I say “totally rad”?!  Here are some things that he said that really made me re-evaluate my prayer life:

• What if prayer became more about building a relationship than getting an answer?
• TRUST…even when God says, “wait” or “no”.  He really does have my best interest in mind.
• Is my relationship with God more important than any other relationship that I have here on earth?  Is that evident by the amount of time I spend in communication with Him?
• Prayer should be about an eternal purpose, not a temporary answer.
• My attitude towards prayer should be, “How can I fall more in love with God?”

And probably the most meaningful part of the service to me was at the end.  Several of us stood around the movie theater to pray with those who wanted to pray with someone.  While the band played and sang the song “Healer”, I was reminded of the truth of the words…

I believe You’re my Healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You’re my portion

I believe You’re more than enough for me

Jesus You’re all I need

Nothing is impossible for You…

As I looked around the room and saw the crowd of people praying, lifting up their requests to God, I was reminded of my relationship with God.  What an AWESOME privilege we have as Christ followers to be in constant communication with our Creator.  I thought about how often I take that for granted.  As I begin a new week, I will be reminded of God’s deep, abiding love for me and do my part to fall more in love with Him.

I’m Still Alive August 16, 2008

Yes, I know it’s been a while since I’ve blogged. Not because I don’t have anything to say, just because I’ve been totally addicted to the Olympics. That’s all I’ve done after putting the kids to bed for the last week. And I’ve been staying up way too late watching them.  And by the way, why do they put all the good stuff on so late? I’d rather watch swimming and gymnastics than synchronized diving!  Don’t get me wrong, those divers are good and all, but I’m just sayin…

Anyway, thanks Monica and Alison for making me feel loved and missed! I’ll take my responsibility as a blogger a little more seriously this week.

I’m like totally excited about the new series starting tomorrow at C3, Bodacious 80’s.  Hope to see some of you there…it’s gonna be rad!

At Home With Amanda August 5, 2008

I’m not really loyal to any one particular grocery store.  Sometimes I’ll go to Super Target, sometimes to Super Walmart and sometimes Publix.  Publix is definitely my favorite as far as atmosphere goes.  So, even though it’s a bit pricier than Walmart, if I have all 3 kids with me, I’ll choose to go there because it’s so calm and a lot less stressful than Walmart. 

I’m also not the best couponer.  I always have good intentions and sometimes I’ll be on a roll for a few weeks and use lots of coupons.  Then I’ll get lazy and not clip them or I’ll forget them at home.  I know, lame excuse.

I recently found this website that I wanted share with all you grocery shoppers out there who are looking to save a little bit of money.  You will find all of the Publix BOGO items for the week PLUS a link to a coupon (or sometimes 2) to save even more money.  And for those of you who aren’t avid couponers, on the BOGO items, you can use one coupon for each item (even the free one).  For example:

Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix (19.8 to 22.5-oz box): $2.63

$.40/1: HERE

Price after (2) Coupons: $1.83 for 2

($.91/each – save 65%)

And who doesnt’ like brownies?!?

I love that all the links to the coupons are right there, just a click away.  Someone else has done all the work for me!  Now I can print them out and clip them right before my grocery trip.  This has become one of my favorite sites to refer to as a busy mom who is trying to save a little money for the family!  Hope it’s useful to some of you out there.  Happy shopping!

“You’re the Best Mommy Evah!” August 4, 2008

That’s what Ansley (my 4 year old) tells me when…

• I make her favorite dinner
• I take her swimming
• we go to the beach
• I give her chocolate
• I let her pick out a treat at the grocery store

…you get the picture.  Basically, whenever her wants are met, in her eyes, there’s no one better than the person who fulfilled those wants. 

Tonight we were just snuggling on the recliner, not doing anything particularly wonderful or out of the ordinary when she said those same words to me, “Mommy, you’re the best Mommy EVAH!”  It was really sweet when she said it this time, like she really meant it, not just because I was giving her something or taking her somewhere fun, but just because. 

I love moments like this…it makes me want to keep my kids little forever!

Weekend Recap August 3, 2008

Okay, so I know I’m not the most consistent blogger…I’ll try to catch you up on what’s been going on these last few days…

Barry preached this morning and did an amazing job…seriously…I know I’m probably a little bit biased, but I think he had an incredible message about allowing God to fight our battles.   He claims that he gets really nervous before he speaks, but I can never tell…he’s a natural.   I’m proud of you, baby, and I know you’re glad it’s over!

So, in order to give him lots of uninterrupted study time on the days leading up to today, the kids and I packed up and headed to Melbourne.  It was good for Barry to have a quiet home to prepare his sermon and, I’m not gonna lie, it was good for me to not have to deal with the stress of making sure he was not interrupted by the kids!

While we were in Melbourne, we got to spend some time with my parents and Barry’s mom.  One day we spent some time with some family friends who live on a lake and Emma and Jackson went for a ride on jet skis!  (Ansley liked hanging out by the shore…she wasn’t quite ready to venture out on a motorized vehicle!)  Emma had a ball and Jackson wasn’t quite sure what to think. 

We got some back to school shopping done (I can’t believe school starts in 2 weeks!) and just enjoyed hanging out with our family. 

Everybody was very happy to see Daddy when we got back on Saturday!  We all napped after church today (Sunday afternoon naps are the best!) and ended the night with a little “High School Musical Get In the Picture”.  Those kids are REALLY good!  

I’m off to bed now…good night!