End of Baseball Camp, Beginning of Vacation w/ Brent

Lamar University: Jim Gilligan Baseball Camp

I thought summer was a time for relaxation and reflection, yeah right. This summer has been so busy and vacation starts next week and we are just so happy to be slowing down for at least that ONE week that I just want to enjoy the boys, enjoy Brent and really soak up the summer. It's time to reconnect with my sweetie and spend some quality time together. We have something planned and I am really looking forward to it. So what's on the agenda? Well, we WERE going to San Antonio and stay with some friends outside of Austin but the hotel we wanted to stay at is booked because it's the week of July 4th so I think we are going to do that, but when it won't be so crowded. So the #1 thing on our list is to put down the new tile in the den. I've been wishy/washy with it. Bought all the stain and stuff to stain the cement then decided I really wanted saltillo tile so we are going on some scouting expeditions this weekend to see what we can scrounge up. It seems it's a really hot product around here and everyone is always out of it or the boxes that are left aren't enough. But with the colors we've picked and the furniture, I think it's the best deal for us. So we are trying to make some really difficult decisions as far as drastically remodel?? Build?? Move?? I found a house I really like that is so much bigger than ours but it's in the city limits and Brent's like "No." prfff, whatever. Maybe I'm wearing him down. But we're looking at plans and one day we say this and one day it's something else. I went last night and bought new stuff for our bedroom and at first I was like "uh huh that is fugly" but then it freakin started growing on me today. Not to mention Tricia, my sister, came over and said she really liked it. So now I think I'll use that as a base to keep going and get some different things in here to make it feel more like our personality.


Today was a big day at the baseball camp Ian has been attending all week. His daddy went to watch him on his exhibition day and he was in hog heaven. He was so happy his daddy was taking off work to go and spend it with him. Brent said he got some really positive reviews about Ian's pitching and hitting so Ian was on cloud nine. A coach for one of our teams already hit Brent up to put Ian on his team next year (wtf ??) but he had said Ian was 8, but by next season he'll turn 9 so he'll be too old for that team. So they had a great day and it all went very well. It didn't rain at all the whole week so that made the money definitely worth it. Although today it was about 104 degrees on the field and 111 degrees in my car! This humidity makes it unbearable. I felt sorry for those boys out there all week but Ian told me he didn't really feel hot at all so I knew they were keeping them very hydrated and taking frequent breaks to fight the heat.


Let's see, what else did I wanna say? Oh yeah. How come the obnoxious people you can't stand in life seem to find you on Facebook? There are like 3 people that I just ignore their friend requests so I can block them out if I want to. I guess that's why I love FACEBOOK!! he he he Although that part is great, Brent met and talked to a guy that went to elementary with me at our Catholic school! They started talking about growing up in that area around Lamar University and the years he was there and then mentioned that he went to Catholic school where I used to go and so Brent asked him if he remembered me and he was like "um, yeah, why" and so he told him that he was married to me. It's such a small world. Anyhow, he has two little boys and one was in the same group for 8 years olds with Ian and they really got along. It was the craziest thing when Brent texted me then called to tell me how they had been talking all afternoon and then had just discovered all that. That was a good thing today that definitely put a smile on my face.


What else is going on this summer? Well, the week after we get back off vacation, Ian starts Superkids at Lamar, which he is not looking forward to at all. He said he doesn't want to go there and sit and do science and math! I just started cracking up because it is sooo not like that at all. Liam went for several summers and really enjoyed it. He even brought home a baby chick after they had raised it at camp all week. Liam loved that baby chick, but he went to spend the night with his Auntie T and his cousin and I kinda forgot to turn off the light above it and it didn't have any water so we remembered like two days later and that little thing was all crispy. Liam cried, I laughed and Brent got mad because Liam & Ian made him bury it. I couldn't even go out there because I kept laughing every time I looked at this poor little baby chick all crispy and crusted. (yeah actually it was kinda gross but I think my relief in times of stress is laughter, yep, it is!) Oh Gosh just remembering that day is kinda wild! I don't think Liam will ever forgive us for that but at least now when we talk about he laughs with us, then secretly turns around to wipe his eyes. My sweetie has the biggest heart and the soul of an angel. While Ian is at Superkids I am going with my friend to The Main Dish where you create your own 12 entrees, which is enough for 72 servings. We scanned the July menu and they have some yummy dishes to choose from and we are sooo excited about doing this. You get to put all the meals together yourself and then load 'em up in an ice chest and take home to your freezer. If you do the 12 entrees, you get a free dessert. So that's one good thing right? And this month the dessert is Key Lime Pie so that should be tasty for a summer bbq on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Then Liam has Soccer Camp in Beaumont in mid to late July then he starts soccer practice and football practice in August. It seems as if you stay just as busy, only there's no homework or projects to deal with since school's out!

Well, enough babble. Have a good weekend and enjoy the sun, smile at your kids, and plant a big fat wet one on your hubby - I know that's what I'll be doing.

Pictures coming soon...... yea right. ... not likely.... but probably soon.

Father's Day at the BeAcH!!

Hope everyone had a great and wonderful Father's Day with the daddy's in your life. We went to the beach early this morning to walk and look for shark teeth and sea beans. Ian was so excited because we found four shark teeth and three sea beans. One was really big. Took plenty of pics so when I get on the laptop I will download them to the blog. I hate the way I have to do it on the desktop so I'll just do it all at once. We were relaxed and just played all morning. Granny found a sea bean and she really enjoyed just being down at the beach and putting her feet in the salty water. We had a good time so we decided to come home and cook. All the restaurants around here were fully packed by 1pm so we hit our H-E-B and got all the stuff to make Spanish rice, homemade pineapple pico de gallo, Key West chicken and homemade salsa. My friend gave me some fresh tomatoes from her garden and it tastes great. This batch is really spicy but we like it, but it's probably a little too spicy for Ian, although Liam will probably love it. The beach was great and the sand was hot, what more can you ask for a gorgeous day???


Ian is off to Lamar Baseball Camp this week. he is going to the competitive edge hitting and pitching camp which was one of the best camps Liam ever attended. He learned so much and was really complimented on his techniques by his baseball coaches. Ian is super excited about all of it since his team won the 8 year old Championship in Little League last week. He was all about baseball after that! So he'll be there from 8-4 all week and then we have VBS at a friend's church that he's been invited to attend and his pool party for his baseball team where they will get their trophies for the great season they've had this year. It'll be busy but I love it when it's busy and they are being active.


Brent's yelling at me to go and make the Spanish rice because I forgot: note here: I didn't forget, I chose not to do when he told me to! I will do it on my own time THANK YOU very much and if you do want me to do it when you want me to then you ASK me, don't TELL me. Anywho, I'm trying to be a really nice and kind person on Father's Day so I guess I better get off my cracker butt and get it done. Oh I just remembered that Ian has to bring a lunch to the baseball camp all next week which means I now have to go back to the grocery store to come up with some ideas for food for him next week which means my stomach will soon be hurting from the pressure which means it may ruin my Key West chicken dinner which means I will then be pissed. he he he Nah, I guess I better get all this taken care of before my family falls apart before my eyes.


There's a blog that I have fallen in love with. A lot of the values and morals and ideas about family and children that Amy at The Finer Things in Life express are my sentiments exactly. She has great recipes and her blog is one that I can actually remember to go check if I didn't receive it by email for that day. Thought you all might be interested in it also since it is such a great blog with great ideas for frugal meals, snacks and interesting topics. Take a look if you get a chance. I may even post a comment on the reasons I became a SAHM. It had a lot to do with September 11, 2001 when we sat down and decided that our family as a whole was more important that the $$$ I was bringing home. Plus, I was offered the Office Manager position which would mean full time and if I didn't accept the job, my hours would be drastically reduced anyway. So on September 13, 2001 (we were closed on the 12th) I put in my two week notice and never looked back.


Have a good week and God Bless. Brent and I have an 8:00pm movie night planned, sans the children who will be watching their own movie. I bought him Gran Turino for Father's Day so we are going to cuddle and watch it again. We actually went to see it the day it opened because it was our date night out then also. We LOVE our nights out together so cuddle up with the man in your life and enjoy the rest of his day!!

I'll upload pics from the beach later.... or later this week... or later this month. LOL No, really, I will try to do it after we bring Ian to his first day of baseball camp tomorrow.

Ciao Bella!!

Happy Anniversary: 19 YEARS!!

Today is our 19th wedding anniversary! 19 years ago I married my best friend. I know everybody always says that, but I mean it. He's my heart and soul, soul mate, and the one person who has never let me down or not followed through. He's the best dad he can be to our little boys and every day when I look at that man I think to myself what did I do that was special enough to deserve him? The yin-yang of our relationship and the blessings God has given to us make this one of the things I am most proud of: to be called his wife. After 19 years I still get butterflies when he rushes home from work to be with us, I still smile when he flirts with me and I still know, even though we fuss and fight sometimes, that every night he is going to have my back and keep me warm. And when I think of him during the day, I can feel a smile creeping in around the corners of my mouth. I really feel that I do not deserve such a loving individual, so I'll enjoy the ride and cherish these moments with my best friend.

A lot has been going on in the last few days. Brent's birthday was Friday, June 12th (a nice even number) and we had so much fun. We took the boys to the beach and Galveston for the day, went sight-seeing, ate lunch and then let 'em swim until the sun set. The water was gorgeous and we literally would have sat out there watching them skimboard and play until way past the sunset, but Ian cut his foot very badly on a rock or something. It was bleeding profusely but he had a tetanus when he was bitten by the copperhead so at least we didn't have to go sit at the hospital all night. The cut was across his heel and it was bad but we used to towels to stop the bleeding and after awhile I bandaged him up with some gauze (thank God I bought an extra medical kit for the car) and taped him up for the ride home. It bled a lot but the actually cut isn't that bad. I took pics so I'll post them in a bit. We had a fun, relaxing day. The beach looks so different since Hurricane Ike destroyed it, although it's clean and the sand is beautiful. In Galveston some of the old buildings are marked with blue tape where the Hurricane Ike water line was. It's really sad. It used to be so bustling and busy and it seemed really sleepy that day and probably 50% or more of the businesses are not up to par, either undergoing construction or are not there anymore. I used to love to go into this one kitchen shop and I could stay in there for hours and it's gone, the building is gutted so hopefully they'll be back soon.

I have a bunch of pics to post of the last few weeks so I'll try and do that soon. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as we do and if you don't, oh well!

A Few Things I Forgot to Mention:

AWWW I don't have any pictures because I was leaving but Brent came up to Tricia's car Saturday with a 4 foot water moccasin hanging from this hoe/weed thing that had prongs. It was deader than a doornail because Ian shot it about five times with his pellet gun but it was about 4 foot long and was pretty fat. It looked like it had just eaten something. Anyway, Tricia and I left and Brent allowed the boys to dissect it and Liam took out its little heart while it was still beating! Isn't that just the grossest thing? It is to me. Anyway, Sunday morning we were walking around looking at some stuff and plants and in the bottom weedy things of the lemon tree (that I love dearly and have babied through Hurricane Ike) was another friggin' snake. Brent grabbed a hoe and chopped its head off! Then later in the day Ian and my little neighbors were close to their pond and they killed a baby snake that came out of the pond with a metal toy truck. Ian said he told them they had to kill it or it would just grow up and bite them. So these three little boys are chasing down this baby snake that was about 4 inches long. So I guess Ian really doesn't play when it comes to snakes since he has already been bitten by a copperhead when he was two years old and we evacuated for another hurricane. ARGH!!

OK, and I forgot to tell ya that Ian won an IPOD at school on the last day. He was super excited and I promised him we'd download a lot of stuff this week. I'll have to be choosy but he has an mp3 player that has a lot of country songs and some Kid Songs cd's on there so I may just try and transfer those soon for him. So tomorrow Ian is off to summer rec for three hours then we are signing up for swim lessons. Liam has some game he's been dying for that comes out tomorrow so I promised him that for keeping a 98 average in all his classes this year. I have to keep my end of the bargain since he kept his and he wants a mic for the xbox. Yup, his second mic because it seems when he went to a gaming party in March a kid that has since been booted off to his dad's house in Florida because his mom couldn't control him walked off with two of Liam's controllers, his mic for his xbox and his memory card. I'm the type of mom who questions stuff that turns up at my house, although I have never let a child walk out of here without all the crap they came in with. So I told him he had to use his own money to replace the controllers (which he did) and that we'd get the mic and the game he wants. So, just thought I'd add some stuff I forgot earlier.

Have a great week, pray for your family, and remember to reconnect with that special someone in your life, even your kids. We take the boys individually a lot of times to just hang out or do stuff and let them know how special they are as a person, not just as the younger/older brother. I tell my boys every day how special they are to me, to us, and I hope you do the same. At baseball we heard a foster dad saying some pretty mean and rough things to his foster son and Liam started cheering for the little dude and we all started saying things that were positive to this child because to hear a grown man cut down a child when they just struck out and feel like crap anyway is just horrible. I cannot believe the state allows people like THAT to foster these little fellows. Anyway, at the end of the game Liam told him what a good job he did and he was just grinning from ear to ear. So no matter what that old nasty slob tells that child for the rest of the night, he's going to remember what our son said to him and that is all that counts. :)

June Makes Me Think About LOVE...

Ian's First Communion April 2009

New patio chairs to replace the ones blown away by Ike? $80

New umbrella to replace the one blown away by Ike? $58 (on sale at Lowe's)

Sitting outside with Brent on a gorgeous Sunday and having one of the best talks of our life? PRICELESS

Sappy, I know but after yesterday and just sitting around and talking and having that reconnection, it is now MANDATORY that we spend more time together alone. Ian happened to be swimming in my neighbor's ponds with her and her children and Liam was at Tricia's with Drake and Bailee (well, he's still there) so we were all alone from about 9:30am to 6pm and we were totally in sync with each other. It was so nice not to be yelling "go ask your daddy" or "why are you bringing a dead snake into the kitchen" and stuff like that. We hit Lowe's for the new patio stuff and then decided we wanted to do a shrimp boil for a late lunch so we had to drive to Port Arthur to get some fresh shrimp. We were having fun and as much as we LOVE spending time with the boys, I absolutely am in my own world when it's just me and Brent. He told me last night he really enjoyed our day, and even though it was impromptu alone time, we enjoyed it thoroughly. Trying to think of something special for his birthday and our anniversary so any suggestions would be helpful... I have been really stressed out with the momma situation so to just relax after Saturday was very much welcomed. When we came home Saturday evening and I had been gone all effin day I kind of had a fit and yelled - I think I scared my neighbor who was talking to Brent? lol Anyway they are trying to form or mold or whatever this "burn" whatever the hell that is, on the track but really it's just a giant mudhole to me. We had storms and a lot of rain this week so it was just sitting water so he told the boys to take the four-wheeler and make it mud so it would dry faster? WTHELL??? Anyway I was PO'd. They were throwing mud all over the picnic table, themselves, it was a mess. My poor neighbor. He told Brent "Yep, I got one of them." Now that was funny. Anyway they got everything put away and cleaned up then I cleaned Ian up, Liam took a shower then went to Drake's with him then we made fajita tacos for everybody to eat. I sometimes think after a stressful day like Saturday that when I get home I just want peace and tranquility, NOT dirt bikes, mud, four-wheelers, and dirty, muddy kids running around the back yard. Brent said that's part of the collateral damage of having boys. I am guessing at this point he was right. So Sunday was quiet, just the two of us for the most part, and one of the days where you just need to reconnect after the stressful week of class parties, awards programs and just finishing up all the loose ends of the school year. Hopefully we'll have more of those this summer.

The equipment Brent used to spread all the dirt on the track that is now one big mudhole.

My little momma is staying with my sister in Houston this week so hopefully everyone will make it out alive! Nah, just kiddin. I told my sister while they were on their way to beware because she may feel momma's little talons around her neck! She was not happy but we put her in the truck and said she will enjoy herself once she gets there which I'm thinking may be the case. She seems to gripe and moan but then we just tell her we are making these decisions because we love her and want her to thrive, not wither away. She weighs 72 pounds and is no bigger than a minute, but I can see an improvement just since she was at Tricia's and interacting with all of us more. Me and all my sisters are in this together and we are going to make sure her life is peaceful and quiet from here on out. Not having to deal with grown useless kids and grandkids or anything like that. As my daddy used to say "Baby, nothing's fair but the weather," which is a saying that seems to ring true each and every day.

My sister just called and told me we have to go see The Hangover. She said it was hilarious. Hopefully Ian and Liam can spend some time with their friends and Brent and I can sneak out to the movies and go see it.

I cannot believe on the 16th we'll be married 19 years. That anniversary hasn't even arrived yet and I'm already planning and deciding what we are going to do for our 20th!! That is going to be so strange, I used to think people who had been married for 20 years were almost dead, but like we say all the time: We fall more in love with each other all the time. It's funny because sometimes we can't get enough of each other and then sometimes we need space so he can do things he likes and I can do things I like ... and the boys usually like what he's doing so they pick to do the stuff daddy's doing. It's ok with me because with so many sisters and some true friends around, I always feel like I have somebody to do stuff with. That's the thing we talk about a lot, we do fall in love with each other over and over. I guess that's the secret: love the person enough to keep falling in love with them. Or maybe it's just that we're too stubborn to give up!!! Either way, I'm happy as long as we're together.

Ciao Bella!

Things Going On Lately.....

Liam made National Junior Honor Society for his middle school. We are so proud of him and thank God every day that he is making the right choices for his future. Gotta love that kid! He's a sweetie and he even willingly wore a collared shirt and khaki slacks. he he he

Bread.Butter.Cheese. Does It Get Any Better Than That?

Why does this girl look deranged staring at that sandwich? Is it me or does she look like a really small sociopath??

That's how I feel most mornings. If I can at least get their hot panini's in their lunches along with a few other choice food groups, and they actually eat it, it's been a good day! Guess what just happened? A guy comes to the door selling meat, yup, meat door to door, in a cold styrofoam ice chest. WTF? NOOO WAY JOSE!

So hope all of you had a terrific Mother's Day. Brent and the boys were very sweet to me and I loved their gift. Here are the charms each one of the boys gave me and I absolutely love them. They are too adorable.

This one is called "Brothers" and it has two little boys hugging. Which is soooo not them, but adorable anyway! Just a little sidenote: these little boys are pretty wide and chunky looking, which does not look like Liam & Ian at all. lol

This one is a "Mom" one and it is really cute.

My bracelet is about halfway filled now and it's been about a year since they gave it to me so that's not too bad, I just can't wait to have it all filled up so I can enjoy it and not worry about which charm I want next. So we grilled steaks and enjoyed the day with Granny & Poppie which was really nice. The boys had fun and we just relaxed. Friday night we were busy and out at Pappadeaux's for Mark's surprise party which was really nice and enjoyable. Brent and I had so much fun because it's been a while since we went out by ourselves. We came home to an empty house and stayed up talking. I love when we get into those deep conversations and the next thing you know it's been like three hours. They are a part of our relationship and he makes me laugh so much then I cannot be serious which just makes me keep laughing. We went to the crawfish boil Saturday and Liam and his friend pigged out on the crawfish and when we got home a few hours later they were like "we're hungry." Ummm, didn't you already eat? So I threw some pizza rolls in the oven and his little friend said "I've never had pizza rolls out of the oven." Excuse me, how do you eat them? He said "We put 'em in the microwave." WTH? We just died laughing because I have never cooked them in the microwave. He said they are always soggy and gushy so he loved that mine were crunchy. He's too funny.

My friend sent me this text on Mother's Day and I hope you take it to heart like I did. She thought of this on her own and it really echoes my sentiments exactly:

To all mothers: Children are a reflection of our diligent work, the effort to teach them manners, respect & responsibility shows so never give in and always be patient.

Brent really made Mother's Day special and I just wanted to send a little prayer to him today because it's not just what he does for me on Mother's Day but the other 364 days a year that makes my heart go pitter-patter when he walks through the door. Lovin' him more each day of which on June 16th we will be celebrating 19 years of being married. I cannot believe how fast time flies. We are already talking about plans for our 20th anniversary next summer and hopefully it'll be everything we want and more. But I'll be telling everyone about that later.

Lord Jesus, grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with one another's weaknesses and grow from each other's strengths. Help us to forgive one another's failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self. May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring us both ever closer to You through our love for each other. Let our love grow to perfection. Amen.

We've been talking a lot lately and we really have some plans for the future that we are excited about and that we want to see come to fruition. It's not just about the materialistic things but the values we want for our family.

Super Duper News: (but of course my family already knows)

Liam is gong to be inducted into the National Honor Society tonight and we are just so proud of him. He kept his word that he'd keep up his grades this year if he got to play his computer games and that child has really been working hard on balancing school and his extracurricular activities and still being into his online gaming. You gotta give the boy his dues. He also received the BullPup Pride Pin which is a big deal at his school about showing character, values, leadership, and academic excellence. It really does show when you make the effort, then they too will make the effort. Hopefully I'll have pictures to post soon after all the award ceremonies for both of them toward the end of the year.

Guess I better run and do my errands before I have to pick up and deliver children all about town today. Excited for Liam's induction tonight and the field trip for Ian this week and spending Wednesday evening with Brent. Ian has two baseball games this week along with practice and batting cages and Liam has two soccer practices and a game on Saturday. Busy, yes!

Real Life Is Busy These Days....

I cannot believe that it has been exactly two months since I last posted. Life has been happening and things have been taking off with our jewelry business. It leaves me little or no time for just playing around between that and soccer and baseball and ... well just trying to keep up with the boys and things like that. Here is a pic of Ian catching some bass tonight at the lakes by our house. He was sooooo proud because he caught four fish whereas his daddy and Liam did not catch one. He was proud as a peacock knowing that the bass were just eating up his electric blue Wacky Worms.

I read a post today by Amy at The Finer Things In Life (I absolutely LOVE her site) and it really made me think about my absence. I love blogging. I love reading my favorite blogs. But I needed to take a breath and get back to my routine and getting the house in shape. You get on the blogs and think you are only on for about an hour and it's been two and when I only have a limited amount of time to get things done during the day, it was taking up a big chunk of it. I needed to figure out what I wanted my blog to be about ... and I want it to be about whatever I feel like at the moment. Funny family stuff, getting debt free (almost there), couponing, recipes, real mom daily stuff, friendships, family, beliefs and all the stuff my boys drag into my home, be it dead or alive -- like a slug, is what I want to talk about. I won't have the latest crafty ideas but I try to do one with the kids every now and then. Liam is pretty much over that but every now and then I can get him to participate when it doesn't seem quite so cheesy. So I have found a lot of blogs that I enjoy reading. These are smart, sassy women and moms just trying to help out other moms out there in bloggyland and they make me laugh and try and do better on a daily basis. I love being given the information of new ways to deal with new situations that arise in our daily life with the boys. On that note we have had a busy couple of months.

Getting ready for the end of the year school parties and planning our summer which this year, much to their dismay, will include Superkids at Lamar, St. Thomas Reading Academy, and camps for athletics and the Discovery Camp. Liam refuses which is fine but Ian is actually kind of excited.

I've been Facebooking a lot lately and I used to actually hate it, but now I love it. My friends are so funny and people are crazy talking to each other but it makes me laugh.

On a more serious note, I've been doing a prayer book every day and praying for my husband, children, family and my sanity. I know, it's kind of sad, but I need my sanity to be able to handle all the other things in my life. Ian made his First Communion almost two weeks ago and it was so special to us. Since he is our baby, I really tried to relish the moments and remember the details since I will probably never be doing it again. That is sad and it made me cry when he received the Sacrament. I really don't talk about religion with people I'm not close to, but those that know me really know that the Catholic upbringing we are giving to the boys is something that we believe in and try to instill in them on a daily basis. I don't always succeed, WE don't always succeed, but we try, every day. And I love the boys for trying. And I love Brent for that.

So we have a meeting at school the other day and we take over an hour to discuss what the end of the year t-shirts will look like and if the mom shirts are going to look the same or different. Ummm, is it me or does anybody else not care? I care... but to a point. If the children's bodies are covered and it looks halfway decent, are second-graders really going to care? I know all the moms are hard-working and want to plan the best party possible but sometimes it's ok to just let the kids be kids. We did that at Easter and they had a blast. Each child played this horseshoe game made out of carrots and little games like that, then we gave each child a dozen confetti eggs and they had so much fun. Of course, there were a few tears because somebody got some confetti in their hair and someone else's egg didn't break (? wth) but overall, Ian said it was the best time. So no matter how much we plan and plan, it will just take it's own course. That's all I am saying. It will play out on it's own. Of couse I am stoked because summer is almost here and we cannot wait for the freedom that comes along with it.

Let's see what else is new? The boys are doing great in school and Liam grades have been outstanding this year, considering this is the beginning of his 5 year plan and he is awesome in math and science so his teacher and counselor told us that he'll be guided in that direction for his classes and pre-college courses in high school. He could care less but at least he's keeping his grades up. He told me the other day a kid took a zero on a paper because he didn't "feel" like doing it so the teacher said "fine, it's a zero" and the boy said "I knew it would be." Liam was in shock. He was like "Mom, how can you just sit by and take a zero and not even care?" I was actually flabberghasted that he said that, considering he is so calm and laid back, like he doesn't have a care in the world. However, we were talking about it and there are two things he loves and cares about outside of us and it's his school and soccer. That kid is crazy for soccer. Ian, on the other hand, is crazy for baseball. He is actually pretty good. Well, I really dunno because I usually text or play on the internet unless he's batting, but that's what everybody else tells me. I've been TRYING to pay attention, but it's so hard. Just when I think I know the game or the rules, everyone is like no he has to be tagged or no, it doesn't count? Well, why the hell not? Little League rules are so confusing. Brent gets so nervous for him but he's been doing great. His coaches pump him up and he just grins from ear to ear. And soccer, well you can forget that. Liam's been playing for about 6 years and all I know is that when the little ball goes in the net, yeah! I have a lot of pics to download to share with family and friends who "used to" visit my blog, so maybe if I get those uploaded they'll come back! he he Well, hopefully I'll be back with some new and exciting stuff. I'll be back but it probably won't be too exciting. I have a lot of blogs that are really great to refer to for meal planning and keeping me pumped about paying off our house so we can build on our land. Keeping it real....

Recipe Of The Week

Why can't I look this happy and put together when I mop my floors? She's deranged that's for sure~~~

This is a recipe from Divine Domesticity that I will be trying this week. I love the fact that one prep session equals two meals with one being able to be frozen. That's right up my alley this week with trying to get back on course with housework and getting all the laundry caught up before we get to play around the next week during Spring Break. Hope you like it too. Love her site so go on over and check it out.

Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage and Sour Cream

Makes two 9"x13" pans

2 pounds dry ziti pasta
1 large onion, chopped
2 pounds regular Italian, or spicy or sweet Italian sausage
3 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
8 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
2 cups sour cream
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
One container grated Parmesan cheese

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.

2. In a large skillet, brown onion and sausage over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes. In an extra large pan (probably what you used to boil the ziti in) combine the sauce mixture and the ziti noodles.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

Butter two 9"x13" baking dishes. Layer as follows:

Ziti and sauce mixture,
(all) sour cream,
provolone and mozzarella cheese,
ziti and sauce mixture,
provolone and mozzarella cheese.

Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Seems easy enough right? Hopefully I won't screw it up or anything like that. Maybe I'll take a picture if I get up the energy to look for the camera charger! LOL

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also on the menu plan for this week is the crockpot ham recipe that Stephanie over at A Year of Crockpotting has up on her site today. Decided to go ahead and try some new stuff that doesn't take much time since I will not have a lot of time this week with everything that's going on and getting tax receipts and things of that sort ready for the CPA. Yikes. So this should be a great recipe that cook all day and be able to use the leftovers for something else equally tasty and easy. Haven't really done a menu plan on paper but I'm good to go as far as knowing what we are eating until Thursday and then with baseball and the awards program for Upwards I'm thinking easy like Chinese take-out. That sounds good because Brent really dislikes it but if it's been a long time (and it has) he'll usually go for it if we beg. Nah, but we do have to coerce him into actually pulling in the parking lot.

Are you keeping up with your Lenten obligations? I am trying really really hard so we'll see at the end of Lent how I did. Ian accidentally ate a piece of candy from the candy jar today and I thought he was going to choke when he remembered he gave it up for Lent. I told him I'm sure it's OK as long as you didn't do it on purpose. He assured me he did not do it on purpose. Poor little thing. Don't forget to pray for your husband and stay on task with whatever it is you gave up (or decided to give) during Lent. Ciao.

Lazy Sunday - Feeling Better

Isn't it the cutest?

I have some belated pics from my birthday in January that my sister emailed me so I thought I'd post a few. I'll include the ones of the spectacular cake Tricia got me for my birthday. I just loved it. It was so me. I asked her "How'd you know what I wanted" and she said "because you told me a pink cake with black bows." hahaha I think that's funny. Anyway, take a gander at these photos and of my babies evidently horsing around in the lobby at the hotel while Brent and I were out for the night. It was a great weekend and looking forward to another one soon.

Keep praying for your husbands at Sandra's blog over at Diary of a SAHM. I may not post it here but I go to her site every day and do the prayers for Brent and devote just a few minutes especially to him.

Our lives will be getting a lot busier in the next few weeks with a whole season of baseball approaching, Liam's playing spring soccer and Spring Break is just in another week or so. The Nederland Heritage Festival starts during Spring Break and I am so looking forward to working the booth with my friend and selling our handmade jewelry, and then the purses, luggage and sunglasses she gets from market. I think it's going to be fun as long as the weather cooperates.

A short and simple prayer I found on the list of Catholic prayers I've been using also:

Lord Jesus, grant that I and my spouse may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that we may both be filled with faith and trust. Give us the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May we always bear with one another's weaknesses and grow from each other's strengths. Help us to forgive one another's failings and grant us patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of self.
May the love that brought us together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring us both ever closer to You through our love for each other. Let our love grow to perfection. Amen.

Brent did so much for the boys this weekend. I still had a fever yesterday morning and all day so I just slept and watched movies while he took them to games, end of the season parties and even two birthday parties. Last night we just chilled out, all cuddled up in my bed and watched a new movie together. It was so warm and cozy and every time I'd fall asleep they'd wake me up. My NyQuil was kicking in and it was so hard to stay awake. I woke up this morning refreshed and feeling almost back to normal. No fever in the past 24 hours which is the longest I've gone in a whole week. My throat doesn't hurt anymore although I do have the residual bronchial cough (hack, hack) but it seems to be getting better. All I do know is that I've really missed taking care of them and caring about their homework. Ian and I would lay on the couch and do his homework all week because I was so stuffed up and feverish I felt so cold if my back wasn't all covered up on the couch or with a big blanket. Looking back now the quack I went to had no idea that I probably had a case of the flu nor did he ask about that. I will never, mark my words, go back to that doctor again. But then again that's what I get for going to a doctor that I've had several friends tell me some history and to go to someone else.

Friday night Brent and Ian, his mom and his brother and his children went to see Monster Nation, the monster truck show that comes every spring and Ian had such a blast. He came home and told me all about the monster trucks and the one they rode in the back of while it did a few rounds. He also could not stop talking about the motocross racers he saw there and some of their stunts. He was so impressed he's been out on the track all day today practicing and trying to get his jumps higher and do a wheelie on Liam's motorcycle. Good start for an 8 year old. He told us he'd rather ride and do jumps than play baseball. Uh? Huh? wtf? Don't think so buddy. You are paid in full so you will definitely be doing baseball this season. So we told him as soon as CCD is finished and he makes his First Communion he'll be able to practice more during the week and then all summer. That seemed to make him happy for the moment. Basketball finished up Saturday and then Brent took him to his end of the season pizza party. They got a trophy and some little souvenirs and then on Thursday the church is having the closing ceremony for Upwards. If you haven't tried Upwards in your area, please do so. The people are great and it teaches them sooooo much. The coaches just aren't about winning/losing, it's how you play the game and I especially love that every week they have a Bible verse to memorize and talk about and then at the practices they talk about what went on during the week and how it relates to the current Bible verse. Needless to say, it's a very worthwhile project to get the kids interested in basketball and the camaraderie that goes along with being on a team. Cannot say enough about Upwards. So we'll be going to that Thursday night and Ian has baseball practice every night this week except Tuesday because of CCD. Liam has a space station project due for shop so he'll be working on that all week. I have to hit the hobby stores tomorrow to look for some things to go inside the space station like food and such. He should have fun putting all that together.

Well, guess we better go check on dinner. We're grilling chicken breasts, chicken & apple sausage and veggies. Yummo. Love the chicken & apple sausage from Emeril's that we get at Sam's. It is great grilled or just pan seared with some pasta and peppers. I love it. Brent likes it. So he never really eats too much of it. Just enough to be nice. In the next several days I'll be asking questions about relationships and how to deal with people you don't particularly like. How do YOU deal with it? I ignore them and pretend they don't exist. I cannot stand hipocrits. How do you deal with things like that? Ponder those questions and then let me know your opinion.