I don't even know what day it is.

We have had a long week. 

Brad's grandpa, our Papa,  passed away last Sunday night. 

He lost his three year battle with cancer to gain his eternal reward. 

He left behind a family that adored everything about him. From his keen sense of humor to his spirit rich in generosity, he was a precious man to many, many people. He loved and served the Lord and modeled a marriage that rivaled the greatest of love stories. His class, integrity and character are well known and admired.

Though we find much joy in his life and legacy, we are sad to lose the man whose smile enriched our lives. We have fluctuated from great joy over his healing to great sadness of life without him. 

The funeral on Thursday was a tribute to his life and service full of honor and God's mercy. 

Grandparents are such a special treat. Many of us are blessed to have grandparents in our lives that have impacted us greatly. I only hope I can preserve Bob's legacy in the lives and hearts of my children, whom he adored. 

Between mingling with strangers, chatting with friends and seeing family, I have lost track of my days. 

Yesterday, we were at my in-laws house seeing family members off. We brought the munchkins home for a nap and Brad and I  collapsed napped for three hours with the kids. Sheer exhaustion.

Last night, my in-laws watched our kids and my nephew while we went out with one of our favorite couples, Aaron and  Tara. We had such a great time. We always do. I only wish we lived closer, a nine hour drive makes weekly dinners a challenge. 

I can only pray that when I leave this earth, my family and offsprings will talk about me with as much admiration and respect as what was paid to Bob last night. He was a servant, faithful to his God. 

What. A. Legacy.

MDO Gone MAD

My two and a half year old has a project due for Mother's Day Out on Thursday.

Is this crazy or is it just me?

If he were a seventh grader, I would understand. 

If he were a fifth grader, I would understand.

If he were a third grader, I would understand.

But he isn't. 

He is two and half. --Okay, okay he will be three in April, but I am not calling him a three year old yet. He is TWO. And he is my baby. Please don't tell him I said that; he would be appalled. ---

I just was not sure if I am the only one who thinks this is insanity at it's finest. 

Stay tuned to see what transportation item we can conjure up...

Straight from TRL

*disclaimer: I am not naked*

My name is Ashley!

Woooo Hoooo!

I would like to give a shout out to my mom!

It's her birthday!

Wooo Hooooo!

And she is like the awesomest!

Like, ever!

Yeahhhh!

And I like TOTALLY love her!

______________________________

I needed a something a little light hearted in my day. Hope you don't mind it coming from TRL.

Do you even know what TRL is, mom?

Probably not. Sorry. 

Translated:

Happy Birthday, Mamma.

I am so proud to call you my mom.

I love you more than all of the of the cute shoes I wanted to buy you for your birthday. ;-)

Hugs and kisses from your favorite daughter.

I love you!

L-lysine is Cool

Remember when I posted about this issue that I have with mouth sores?

You gave me many useful suggestions and I had good results with some of them. Shortly after the post, I was at the cool little mom and pops pharmacy near our pediatrician's office and the pharmacist recommended L-lysine.

Lysine is an amino acid used in helping repair tissue and vitamin C absorption. It has several other useful causes, but I won't bore you with those. 

Bottom line: it helps speed the recovery of mouth sores. 

Since that time, I have been taking L-lysine. I don't take it regularly, just when I feel like I am about to get a sore or if I bite my cheek (which used to be a sure sign that I would get a sore). 

Thus far, I have yet to have the hint-of-a-sore turn into a real sore like the disgusting ones in my mouth at the time of my post. 

If you, too, get mouth sores, I would recommend L-lysine. It's proved to be a pretty beneficial product in my life!

Slumdog Millionaire

Have you seen Slumdog Millionaire?

I watched the movie on our last day in India.

We were in a country full of people and stories and poverty so severe that many people spend their days digging through trash trying to find essentials for survival, all the while they believe with all of their heart that this task is their life's only purpose.

While in Delhi, we visited a new mall. The mall was very westernized; it was the most westernized of all the places that we visited. It mirrored any shopping mall in a large U.S. city. 

Slumdog Millionaire had premiered only days before in India, the country in which the film is based. We had Gold Class tickets to see the movie on the big screen at the theatre located in the mall. At the theater, we were escorted downstairs to the lounge where we ordered food from the menu and waited to enter our exclusive viewing room. Upon entering, we climbed into our oversized leather chairs, reclined the seats and wrapped up in a blanket to sip our drink and enjoy the movie. 

Little did I know about the intense drama I would soon be watching. Slumdog Millionaire is an accurate picture of the secret lives of many Indian children and adults. The only difference: the movie portrays everything to be much more clean and much less chaotic.

Sitting in the luxury of the theater, watching the horrendous actions take place on the screen, knowing that when we left the theater, I would be witnessing the very thing I was watching along the roadside was almost more than my mind could take. I knew that the film was well made and entertaining, but I could not bring myself to say or even think that the movie was good. Gut-wrenching, yes. True, yes. Heart breaking, yes. But good...no. To me, good is right. Good is just. Good brings a smile. 

I still cannot say that the movie is good. But it is accurate and it is real life and it is a movie I would encourage you to see. It gives a clear picture of a people and culture many people will never visit. 

Please go see Slumdog Millionaire, but when you watch it, know that it is not made solely for your entertainment. What you will see is real life for many, many people. Just because we cannot imagine it, does not mean that it doesn't happen. After you are exposed to the people of India, pray for them. Please pray for the countless people that live lives that we cannot not imagine living. And I will pray that God gives the people of India a place in your heart for all the days of your life, just as he has done for me. 

Man of the Hour

What can I say, I've got a master ring bearer on my hands. Actually, I better not speak too soon, we still have two weddings in our future. Noah and Molly did great at Erik and Alana's wedding.

Erik and Brad work together. It was really fun for our son to be a part of their big day. Thanks Mitchells!

Noah walked down the aisle with the ring pillow in one hand and his other hand placed square on Molly's butt bottom. Such a boy!

He was in heaven with the candy bar at the reception. Skittles galore...

Round two this weekend!

Low-Key Lovin'

Hope you all had a happy day of lovin' your loved ones. 

We enjoyed our low-key day. We had a breakfast picnic and I went all out...donuts. 

Call me Fancy.

I know everyone is full of opinions about Valentines Day, but I love the chance to be intentional in reminding my family of how much I love them. 

And it gives us a good excuse to do things we don't normally allow like eating breakfast in the living room while watching a dvd. 

We watched Kayt's new Valentine's video from Pop and DeDe. 

It's a real thriller. Baby Bop goes to school. 

That night, Brad and I had a nice, unplanned dinner alone. We decided to cook out and then put the kids to bed after dinner and watch a movie. When we had complications with our grill, the dinner time continued to be pushed back. My always starving children were ready to eat so I fed them and decided to try and put them to bed early. To my surprise, they went right down. 

We ended up having the quiet dinner that I had hoped for. God has a funny way of fulfilling the small desires of our heart. 

Let the wedding season begin.

Kayt and I were sad this evening. We had to let Brad take Noah to the rehearsal for the wedding he is in tomorrow because we are still both feeling mucky. 

I am going to the wedding. Period. Even if I spread my 'junk.' 

Maybe I will wear a mask? Probably not. I don't think it would go with my outfit. 

So, we had a girl's night at home. We snuggled up on the couch and honked our noses. It was lovely! 

These are Kayt's Barney pajamas. If the picture were in color, you could see that they are purple pjs with footsie's. She does look like a dinosaur with a big belly in them. It's cute. 

This wedding made me think of the first wedding that Noah was in. Mandy and Sam were married just two months after Noah was born. He was quite a stud in his tuxedo onesy. He rode down the aisle in a doll carriage and the older kids pushing him had his pacifier crammed in his mouth. It was awesome. 

Weddings are tiring, what can I say?

My mom brought Noah up to the church because I was doing my matron of honor duties. She had spiked his hair. I thought it was cute; Brad was appalled. 

Tonight, he is rehearsing to be in his second wedding. This is his friend Molly. He adores Molly. He does everything that Molly says, almost to a fault. Last summer, we were at the park with Molly and she told Noah to go over to the tree on the other side of the park and pee on it. He took off running. When I finally caught up to him and I asked him what he was doing, he said oh, I'm going to pee on that tree way over there, like it was no big deal. I'm hoping Molly uses her powers over Noah to convince him that walking down the aisle is a good idea. I am so sad that I missed seeing this. Isn't he so grown up?

Brad was sweet to send me pictures from his phone so I could feel like I was part of the action.

When I told him he was going to be in the wedding and walk down the aisle, his bottom lip started trembling. He said, I cannot walk to the church. I cannott cross the street because a car might run over me. Since that day, he is convinced that being in a wedding means I am going to make him walk to a church. It's been a source of stress for my definite first-born. And from one first born to another, I understand little buddy, I understand. Brad said he did such a great job tonight. Just cause I like to be real, I cried when he told me what a great job Noah did. He. Is. Just. So. Big. and I am so proud of him. 

I cannot wait to post pictures from a successful walk down the aisle tomorrow. 

I'm off to rest. 

I've got a wedding to attend!

Come on, Cupid. Hit me!

I hate to admit that in this season of love, I am just not feeling it this year.

I had great intentions while my hubby was out of town. The kids and I were going to prepare fun, sentimental things to give to him on Valentines Day. I was actually excited about having a few days at home without him so that we could prepare. Instead, the kids got sick and I have been drained of creative juice. I had on the same sweats this morning that I put on for bed Sunday night. I feel like I did when I brought my babies home from the hospital. 

The trying to be a sexy wife when you can smell spit up in your hair days. 

I'm just a bit spent. Two babies with the flu all alone gets tiring. Not to mention, I don't feel so hot myself. I started myself on an antibiotic that I had. I took it to India as a precaution and (thankfully) didn't end up needing it. Thank you, doctor Me! Hopefully by the time Brad gets home tomorrow afternoon I will be looking a bit better and feeling a bit better.  

Anyways, I was having a hard time coming up with something fun and creative to do for my husband for Saturday. We don't have a sitter so we decided that we would stay home and try to put the kids to bed early. I'm thinking Benadryl.  I kid, I kid. I found a new Chicken Asiago Farfalle recipe that I am wanting to try. A quiet dinner with candlelight and wine...sounds like a pretty good evening for parents of two young children if you ask me. That is the plan anyway. Things don't typically work out the way I plan them, so I'm not holding my breath. We may end up having a family night with popcorn and popsicles. And if that happens, I'm okay with that.

I was searching the internet for cheap ideas of fun things to do for my guy, hoping for a spark of creativity and that cupid would hit me right in the derrière with his arrow of love. 

I read one idea that made my jaw drop to the floor. 

The writers suggestions was to pack a picnic of your love's favorite foods, load them up, and take him or her to the cemetery to enjoy a quiet evening alone together. What the freak?  That is NOT speaking my love language.

The best idea I read was from a woman who rented a hot tub, moved the dining room furniture out, and had it placed in the dining room. I totally love this idea! This is actually something I would do. In fact, I may put in a few phone calls to hot tub vendors tomorrow. Isn't that fun? 

What do you have planned for the day of love? 

Any ideas that I could borrow? 

Just Some Stuff

Thank you to everyone who left a recipe for the swap. On my computer, I cannot see the Mr. Linky. Can you? I was able to see it when using my in-law's computer and had no idea that it actually appeared. I was just curious if it was only me, or if other people couldn't see it.

 I have tried a couple of the recipes posted and hope to try the rest in weeks to come. The Wilsons came over for dinner last week and I made the crock pot green beans from Amy and the blueberry dessert from Amber to go along with our pork chops and rice. I wanted to try one of the pork recipes, but needed something I could pop into the oven and let bake while I did other things. Both recipes that I tried were great and my kids ate platefuls of the beans; easy and tasty. The dessert was delicious. I topped it with crushed pretzels instead of pecans because Noah is allergic to nuts. It reminded me of a Jello pretzel dessert that my mom used to make, so I opted for pretzels. 

It's a low key week of sickness at our house. Moms, you know how sad it is to see your babies not feeling well, but I am enjoying the extra moments of loving and cuddling. Noah amazes me with his sweet spirit and optimism during the midst of feeling terrible. I love witnessing the personality and spirit God has put into my children come to life. It is a really fun thing to watch develop. Kayt is as lively as sunshine and I look forward to hearing her contagious giggle everyday. She is talking so much and it makes me laugh to hear her say so many words so clearly. Yesterday, while we were waiting for the our sweet doctor to come into the room, Kayt kept repeating baby. diaper. baby. diaper. I wasn't sure what she was talking about so I just let her babble. Then, above my head I realized that there was a poster of four babies  in their diapers. I think she is going to be a talker like her momma. :)

We canceled every single thing on our calendar this week and are just staying at home to recover (and not spread the flu to anyone else) and to be honest, I have enjoyed our week of hibernation.

It's Eight O'Clock Somewhere

This is my favorite coffee. I am a bit picky about the coffee I drink and when we make coffee at home, this is what we brew. It's great. And it's cheap. Which makes it even greater.

Apparently, we are not alone. 

This article was published yesterday proving that Eight O'Clock Coffee is, in fact, stellar coffee. It beat out all other coffee in a national taste test. Even Starbucks. Gasp.

My second favorite is Dunkin' Donuts, but it costs more than Eight O'Clock. And I am nothing, if not budget conscious. We totally boycott Folgers. Eck. 

We usually buy Columbian or 50%, which is half decaf, half regular. 

Hubby thinks coffee is pointless if it is decaffeinated, but I am a decaf fanatic. With 50%, we compromise. A picture of marriage ;)

Check it out. Thank me later. 

Somedays,

you compromise.

I'll Show You Mine If You'll Show Me Yours

If you were worried about me not actually having time to post the recipe I had promised (like I was), no need to worry, Kayt woke me up very, very early this morning so that I would have ample time to do all that I needed today. Thank you, princess.

I found this recipe in a cookbook given to me by my grandma for Christmas. It is a cookbook compiled from her small town Baptist church. If there is anything the ladies from small town, Baptist America know, it is how...to...cook!

I am a pasta lover! It is my absolute favorite and it used to always be my food of choice. As I have gotten older, Mexican food has also taken root in my heart and we have developed this new love affair. But being true to my roots, I wanted to give you a simple pasta recipe that sufficed me and the meat eater in my family. 

Manicotti Casserole

1 pound hamburger meat (or ground turkey)

1 box manicotti noodles

1 large jar of Ragu sauce

1/2 pint cottage cheese

1 pound grated cheese, mixed longhorn (or cheddar) & mozzarella 

1/2 cup mayonnaise or miracle whip

garlic salt

pepper

Mix cooled and cooked hamburger meat, mayo, cottage cheese, and half of the grated cheese together. Add garlic salt and pepper. Boil manicotti shells with a teaspoon of oil in water. Boil until soft, but firm. Fill manicotti shells with meat mixture. Lay in a casserole dish (9x13). Pour Ragu sauce over noodles until all covered. Pour the rest of the grated cheese over it. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. 

This is a really simple recipe that everyone in our family enjoyed. The meat made it harty enough for my husband and my kids ate a ton of it. I served it with steamed, fresh green beans and garlic bread. Hubby isn't much of a salad eater or I would have served salad with it also. :) Stuffing the manicotti shells is not hard, but does require a bit of time and getting your hands dirty so be prepared. It's worth the mess though. 

If you are participating, make sure that you leave the name of your recipe and a link to your blog on this post. Mr. Linky is down so just leave a comment. Even if you commented yesterday, please do so again today so that we have all of our recipes in one blog entry so that we, mainly I, can go back to all of them at a later date. 

Thanks for sharing your amazing meals. Hope you enjoy the manicotti!

You Have Been Cordially Invited

To A Recipe Swap!

Who: You, your momma,  your neighbor, and anyone else that wants to join

What: A place to find yummy, blogger-approved meals

When: Tomorrow, 2/3/09

Where: Here and @ your blog

Why: Why not?

I spent most of the month of December and the first two weeks of January trying brand new recipes. I searched my cookbooks and the internet for each evening meal with the hope of expanding my repertoire of recipes that are easy and delicious. With all of the new recipes I prepared, I found several that were satisfactory, but only a select few that were a hit. 

To be a hit, it had to be tasty, easily prepared and assembled and given the IngramGang Seal of Approval by the king taste-tester and the grubby taste-tester assistants. 

Because I always enjoy finding more recipes that I can file away in the 'go-to' section of my recipe box, I have decided to ask for your help. Yes, you. Yes, even you that cannot cook. 

If you would like to participate, pull out one of your favorite, family-friendly recipes and be ready to post it tomorrow. 

I will post one of the recipes that I recently discovered that my family really enjoyed. In return, I would like for you to do the same. I will either put up a Mr. Linky or just ask you to leave a comment. With numerous participants, we could have enough recipes to last us until summer or better yet, until Jesus returns! 

There are not any 'rules' per say. But, let's keep the meals to dinner options only (for now). And please only post a recipe that you have previously made and enjoy. You know, one of your 'go-to' recipes. It can be cooked in a slow-cooker, in the oven, or on the grill; the more variety, the better!

Let me know if you are in and be ready to post your recipe tomorrow! I cannot wait to see all of the yummy meals that we discover. 

Who is up for a recipe swap?