Any ideas for me?

Calling all you cooks out there!!

I'm hoping you all have some ideas for me? It's getting better- but it's still hard to get around and to stand for any length of time. I'm looking for any ideas on easy suppers that don't have alot of ingredients.
Anyone have any brilliance you are willing to share with me???

My husband thanks you in advance~

Today's Prayer

This was the prayer in my devotions this morning.

Lord, make me a woman of wisdom and discernment.
I seek wisdom, Lord, NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES, BUT AS YOU GIVE.
Lead me in your ways and teach me from your Word so that,
in time, my wisdom might glorify Your kingdom and Your Son.
Amen

There is so much importance placed today on knowledge of the worldly kind. Can you imagine the changes in our world if everyone put that much effort into gaining knowledge of the Lord!
I don't think there's anything else we could or should desire more than that the words we say glorify God.
This prayer just really spoke with me this morning- Maybe it will speak to you as well.

Update for you

I had my Dr appointment today and wanted to share the good news. It looks like my tendon is re-attaching on it's own so for now- no surgery!!!!!!

I have to do physical therapy 3x/week for about 2 months. I'm so grateful for your prayers and well wishes.
One more thing- guess what I did a few minutes ago- rode around on my knee scooter! Yes, that's right- I found one from another durable medical place and they even bill my insurance so maybe they'll pay for part of it. It's fabulous and I feel like at least I can accomplish some little things around the house now.
If anyone wants to take a spin- I only charge 50 cents a ride- what a bargain huh!!

Arghhhhhh

I'm really irritated right now. I just had the most frustrating phone call. Let me explain:
My dad is using one of these for his foot surgery- you put your knee down on the seat and then use your other leg to scoot around:



I started thinking this would be so helpful to me right now. To rent one from a durable medical place it's $70. My dad had mentioned that Love inc- which is Love in the name of Christ had one for $20. So I called the Love in my neighborhood and they didn't have any. I then called the one in Hudsonville- which is about 10- 15 minutes away. I talked to the lady and explained what I was looking for. Yes she said she had one and then asked me where I lived. I told her and then she asked me what church I went to. I told her and she said which church is that. I told her and then she told me that I didn't live close enough and didn't go to a supporting church so she wouldn't give it to me. I definately got the feeling it was more the church than the area. Just for the record- our church does support the Love in our area.

UNBELIEVABLE!! For a Christian organization, I can't tell you how dissapointed I am in them. I just feel that it gives Christians such a bad name when just because I don't go to the right church they won't help.

Are you normal?

Since I'm bored to tears I found this fun little quiz to take while I was surfing the web. Take it too and let me know if you're normal too- I'd hate to be hanging around with a bunch of people off their rockers-hee hee!

You Are Fairly Normal

You scored 70% normal on this quiz Like most people you are normal in some ways... But you aren't a completely normal person. You're a little weird too! Why You Are Normal: You rather be screwed over than screw someone else over You prefer fiction to non fiction You prefer a good meal to a good nap When you're in a car, you prefer to be the driver If given the choice, you would choose to have more money over more time Why You Aren't Normal: You know a little about many subjects You prefer your family to your friends You don't keep up with your horoscope You would rather be tan than pale You'd rather have cockroaches than rats in your home

What's Normal About You... And What's Not?

The Lord's Prayer

Be prepared for cuteness

Oh she's a smart one....

I went to bed last night and found a little surprise. This is the lamp shade on my night stand. Click on the picture to get a close up look. Do you see the writing on it? It says Arianna.




I had a good idea who did this so I called Halle upstairs and asked her what happened to my lamp. She got this fake shocked look on her face and I gave her my-you might really want to tell my the truth here-look. She did admit that she did it. She told me she wrote Arianna's name because she wanted to practice her name because it was longer- ummm yeah, that's not why you wrote her name!!

I just had to share this because I know Terri's going to enjoy this one. I do believe she wrote Mari's name when she was younger to try and deflect attention away from herself too! This is truly scary that I have a little Terri on my hands here!!

A sweet gift

What makes you feel better when you're hurting? A sweet gift from a blogging friend. Karen sent a gift to Mari for all of us sisters to share. Well mine couldn't have come at a better time. Her sweet little daughter made a beautiful card and since I'm laid up Mari and Terri decided I got to have it for awhile. I also got some delicious bosenberry chocolate and a really cool ruler that my kids are all wanting.
All this fun all the way from New Zeeland. I love having blogging friends!!
Karen, please tell your little princess how much I love the card and it's really helping me feel better! I know where she gets her thoughtfulness from- you sure set a great example for her!

Only 1 day!!!!

Well you know my last post about not complaining- well I'm only going to make it for 1 day because it hasn't been a good day today.
It started off really wierd because I woke up at 5:30 to an earthquake- yes you heard me right- we had an earthquake this morning!!
Then I got Arianna on the bus this morning and went to take my garbage out. I stepped off my front step and heard a loud pop and horrible pain went through my calf.
I instantly knew this wasn't going to be a good thing. I was able to get back inside and decided I really needed to get some help. My neighbor came over and we dropped Halle off at Mari's (thank you so much) and off to the Dr we went.I have torn my achilles tendon but the good news is that it didn't tear the whole way so I don't have to have surgery yet. I have to go back next Friday and see how it's healing to know if it will heal on it's own or if further steps need to be taken.

As on now- the Dr tells me that I am to be the queen bee for the next 2 days with my foot elevated and I am to stay on the couch. I have to be on crutches and I can't put any weight on it for 2 weeks with a total heal time of 2 months.

This means I need your help: I am requesting you stay ever vigilant with your blog posts so I have lots to read- I'm going to go nuts sitting on this couch!

Could you do it?

I just heard a story on the news that has me thinking. If you want to read details go here

A minister started a movement to have people wear bracelets that says "a complaint free world". What you do is every time you complain you have to switch the bracelet to your other hand. The goal is to go 21 days without complaining.

It has me wondering how long it would take me to get to that 21 day mark. I have to be honest and say it would probably be awhile- much longer than I would hope.
I imagine it would really make you realize how much we complain and we don't even realize it.

I won't be ordering the bracelet, but I think I might try it with something I already own. If it's not too embarrassing I might let you know how I do.

Fair Warning

This week started the long, intense process of drivers training for Nick. I can't believe I'm at this point in his life already but alas I am.
I can't believe how much this course has changed since I took it. It's so much more than when we were that age. He gets homework every night from the class and has a project due at the end of the 3 weeks.

I feel bad for him because his life is truly crazy right now. As soon as he gets home from school he goes directly to work. He gets picked up from work, has supper and goes right to drivers training and doesn't get home till 9 at night and then has homework to do. I'm sure he'll be ready for this to be done.

I on the other hand will be ready for all the running to be over but then I have to let him start driving-aghhhhh! Somebody get the hair dye ready because I can feel the grey hairs coming already. Here's your warning- he's got driving hours next week so be on the look out! Just kidding- he'll do fine- I hope!

I do believe Mr. Rogers would approve!

Because it is indeed a beautiful day in this neighborhood!
It is about 70 and sunny. There's a breeze, but I love a breeze.
Here's some pictures of others who are enjoying there day:


Mack is just relaxing in the sunshine:



These are the horses in our backyard:



You are probably asking what this is! It's Halle under the blanket taking a little nap:

My Weekend

I had a request to tell you all what we ended up doing on Saturday for our Anniversary. First let me give you exhibit A:







Ughhhhh- this virus is a nasty one. This is exactly what I heard from others that the virus does. You are really sick for a week, you start to feel pretty good and then it comes back after you for round 2.
So I felt pretty good on Friday and Saturday woke up sick again. However, since I knew their was a breadstick on the other end, I mustered up all my strength and we headed out to Olive Garden for dinner-yummmy. I hope you all enjoyed the bread stick that I ate for each and every one of you!!
I'm still feeling pretty yucky, but I want to look on the positive side. I have to say how proud I am of Arianna.
Yesterday it was supper time and it was just me and the girls because Mark and Nick were at church for youth group. I was dealing with a horrible headache so Arianna said that she would make supper for her and Halle. She got out the Easy Mac and made it all by herself and then put it in bowls and got drinks for both of them and then put the dishes in the sink. To top it off- when she was done, she came and gave me a hug and kiss and told me she loved me and hoped I felt better. What a huge help that was to me!
Also- the weather this week is supposed to be awesome- 50's today and tomorrow and then mid 60's the rest of the week!! If that doesn't make you feel better, I don't know what will.
Have a great day today.

Blog Readability Test

TV Reviews

Mari had this on her blog so I gave it a shot. Go check your's out!

Happy Anniversary

I'm in need of your help. Tomorrow is our 17th Anniversary and I am looking for some ideas of some great date ideas and favorite restaurants. We usually just go out to dinner, but I want to do something different this year. We don't like seafood but other than that we're pretty open to all types of food. I don't want to do anything that is overly expensive, but I would like to not be so predictable either.

One other thing- can anyone explain to me how I can be having my 17th Anniversary when I'm still only 25 years old-smiles!!!!

Cooking Class

We're half way through Spring Break and I wanted to do something fun with Arianna and Halle so we decided it was time for cooking class. They decided on peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies to make. I told them what ingredients went in, but they did it all by themselves.

They thought before they started that they needed a little piece of chocolate to give them the energy to start this task!







The finished product:


Enjoying the fruits of their labors:

Funny

I just had to quick share this: I went to check on Halle a bit ago and went into my room and this is what I found:







I'm thinking I should invest in kleenex stocks!

I'm back!

We got back from vacation last night and I'm glad to be home. The weather is beautiful here. Let me just thank all of you that were praying for me to feel better before we left. God answered those prayers. We were leaving at 7 a.m. Friday morning and as of Thursday night it wasn't good. I was so sick and Mark was seriously wondering if I should even go. It was hurting when I took a breathe and I was wondering if it was turning into pneumonia. I woke up Friday though and I felt quite a bit better so we took off.
We had a good day of travel and everyone did a good job of not fighting in the back seat!

Saturday we went to the Creation Museum. Here are some pictures:





Here are the kids in the Garden Of Eden:


Here is Noah- building the ark:


This was a path out back in the botanical garden:





We would not recommend going here over Spring Break. It was absolute chaos. There were a number of large groups there also and it was just so many people.
The kids had a good time seeing the dinosaurs and they liked the Ark and the Garden of Eden.

We took a little detour on the way home and stopped at IKEA. I love to look around there so that was fun.

However, now that we're home- I'll show you what I'm doing:





Yes my poor little bun is sick. Last night she had 103 fever with Tylenol so I had to alternate Tylenol and Motrin to get it down. It's killing me that it's so beautiful outside and she's sick and can't enjoy it! I hope this doesn't last long and that Arianna, Nick and Mark don't get it! Seeing I've got my hands a little full here, I hope you'll pardon me if I'm not as diligent about posting every day.
Have a great day!

I'm just wondering...

Since you all are such loving giving folks, if there's anyone out there who would be so generous to trade heads with me. It would just be till Monday so not that long.
The problem is that I CAN'T breathe!
Ughhhhhh- I hate colds. But enough whining from me about not feeling well- it could be the flu and that would be SO much worse!

Look what Mark put up for the kids last night:



The girls have been asking for a couple of weeks now so last night their wish was granted. They had so much fun bouncing around out there- hope it helps tire them out a bit!

I found a little joy last night too- look what I made:


These apple dumplings are so easy and oooooooh so good. Thank you Cheryl for posting this recipe- they are delicious! If you want to try them- go here.
We are off tomorrow to Kentucky to go to the Creation Museum. I'm excited and I think the kids are going to really enjoy it. I'll post pictures when we get back.
Have a great weekend!

A little Spring Cleaning

First of all I'll just update you quickly. The back pain has been coming and going but it hasn't been as bad as Monday night. I'm really not sure what is going on, because it's not normal back pain. I'm also fighting a cold right now so maybe it has something to do with that too- however since it's pain by my kidneys, I'll just keep pushing the fluids and see if that helps- (thanks Diane!) I'm not having any other symptoms though so the Dr wants to just watch it.
I appreciate the prayers because we leave Friday for a little Spring Break vacation and I really really want to feel better by then!

Monday before all this hit I was inspired by Jenn
so I did a little cleaning out of my linen closet that has been driving me nuts for awhile. It's a little embarrassing but this is some of what I'm getting rid of:



Notice I said- some- Yes there was even more than that. I still had baby crib sheets! Usually I'm not a pack rat so I guess because I didn't see them in there I didn't get rid of them. I think things were multiplying in there- I can't believe all the stuff I'm dumping.

Here's the after picture of some of the shelves:



It's so nice to be able to see exactly what and where things are again. I still want to pick up a couple of organizing bins for my medicine and such. That was my one closet that was a mess- hopefully next week I can get some other areas that I don't get too very often and with it being Spring break I might even have some helpers to help me!

A quick one

I'm going to make this a quick one because I'm not really feeling well.
I've been up all night with back pain- it's not stabbing pain but constant pain and I just can't get comfortable. I'll be calling the Dr when I get up and see what they think. I"m kind of wondering about kidney stones. When my husband had them it started out this way too- we'll see.....

I promised you an answer to the riddle- what comes next:
ottffss

the answer is:
ent
It's the first letters of the numbers- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

A couple of you got it right- I'm impressed!
Have a good day!


Edited to add: I'm doing better- the pain is better so I'm going to just watch it and see what happens. Thanks so much for your prayers- I really appreciate it!