Menu Plan Monday

This is a pretty easy week as we've had a hectic schedule lately, and we're having a birthday party today. Here's what we've got planned for our menu this week.

Monday--Birthday Party!! (Slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, veggies & dip, chips and, of course, cake and ice cream!) The pulled pork is a new recipe...if it turns out well, I'll post the recipe later this week.

Tuesday--Pot roast (in the slow cooker) with potatoes and carrots, salad, rolls

Wednesday--5-Minute Southwest Salad (thanks to Org Junkie for the recipe!)

Thursday--Leftover Buffet

Friday--Family Night Out!!

Saturday--Grilled brats w/buns, french fries, veggies with dip

Sunday--Mama's Day off...every man for himself!

For more great menu ideas, head on over to I'm an Org Junkie.

Have a great Labor Day holiday!

Small Miracles

I just returned from a 3-day trip to meet and hold my precious nephew who is fighting for his life. It was a long, exhausting, and emotional weekend. And since I am worn out, I will save you all the details. The Cliff Notes version is this...the second MRI showed no improvement from last week, so Zoe was removed from the respirator. At which point the doctors expected, and we were prepared, to lose Zoe.

But we serve a miracle-working God. He and Zoe proved them wrong, and Zoe continues to breathe on his own...more than 48 hours after he was removed from the respirator. His condition is still very critical and we take it moment by moment. (There is so much more to the story. If you'd like more info, please visit Zoe's site.)

The doctors still believe his life will be short and the "quality of life" (their words, not mine) will be minimal. I know he has already touched more lives than most people who live for decades. For now, we are thankful for every moment we have him with us, and we continue to ask God for a miracle while we have the opportunity.


Sidenote: Rather than our entire family hovering around the hospital while waiting for the MRI and its results, we decided to get out and see the sites of Savannah. (It also helped keep our mind off things.) Savannah is a beautiful city, and I'd love to go back when I have time to really enjoy the history of it all. I'll post some pics as soon as I get a chance. (But since I came home to a sick Hubby and sick kiddos, I don't know when that will be....hopefully soon!)

Quote of the Week

photo by Omerad

“Whenever you see darkness, there is extraordinary
opportunity for the light to burn brighter.”

— Bono

Know and Tell Friday

It's Friday!!! I'm excited for two reasons....1. Hubby is on vacation all next week, and 2. That means it's time for Know and Tell Friday!!!

1. Are you right- or left-handed? I'm right-handed, but have a lot of "southpaw" relatives and friends.

2. Any nicknames they have (or have had) and the story behind them? Most commonly, just "Nance," my grandma used to call me "Nanny" (but she's the only one), and in college it was "Grace" because I was a bit of a klutz...not sure why specifically college, I guess those were my "awkward" years.

3. Do you need to do laundry right now? Nope... hallelujah!

4. What CD is in your CD player/music on your iPod right now? The new Hillsong worship CD (thanks to Hubby!)...not sure the name of it, but it's awesome! It's actually in BOTH my CD-player and on my MP3 player.

5. How/when did you learn to ride a bicycle? First grade, my dad taught me...the ol' "I'll hold on to you then let go without you knowing it" trick. It worked...I loved to ride bikes. Still do, but don't currently have one.

6. What is your favorite weird food combination? I don't think I have any weird food combinations, although Hubby would say it's my popcorn/M&M (or chocolate chips if we don't have M&Ms) combination. (He doesn't really get the whole salty & sweet appeal.)

7. What is something you have that is of sentimental value? The flag that was draped on my grandpa's casket (He served in the army and the navy when he was younger) and my grandmother's wedding ring.

For more Know and Tell Friday fun, check out Kickin' It In Crazyville.

Being Sure of What We Hope For

There are new results in Zoe's condition. Below is today's post by Zoe's dad, Jim, on Zoe's site. For the complete explanation, please visit www.prayforzoe.com.

If you have done much reading on Hydrops you have surely read about another
condition in which a male’s genitals do not fully develop and this causes a mistaken identity. With all of the swelling, there ended up being some confusion in determining Zoe’s sex. To help eliminate a chromosomal dysfunction the doctors ordered a chromosome test. Those results came back showing a perfectly normal boy. With this info in hand the doctors have determined that in fact Zoe’s testicles just haven’t dropped. This is something that can be easily corrected at a later date.

I continue to be encouraged and challenged by Jim and Carmen's faith and strength. (And, honestly, as her older sister I feel a bit guilty that it's not the other way around!) I'm sure they have their moments of weakness--moments when they must simply break down and hold each other and cry. But, even as her sister, I've rarely seen it (or heard about it) in the last week.

I shouldn't really be surprised. Afterall, they know Whom they serve. They know our God is a healing God--an all-knowing, all-powerful, never-making-a-mistake, able-to-heal-with-a-single-word, healing God.

But they are human, as we all are. And one can "know" those things and still be shaken to the core when faced with a giant like this. Maybe they are. If so, they sure don't show it. Instead, they are, in my opinion, the embodiment of faith...

"Being SURE of what we hope for and

CERTAIN of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1)

Please continue to pray for Baby Zoe and our family. If you'd like to encourage Jim & Carmen (or possibly be encouraged by them), please visit Zoe's site.

Menu Plan Monday

With all the sicknesses going on, we didn't get to two of the meals from last week, which made this week's menu planning a snap!

Monday: Farmer's Casserole (thanks Lora, it was delicious!), cheese biscuits, fresh fruit

Tuesday: Grilled burgers, french fries, corn on the cob (on the grill, of course!)

Wednesday: Tex Mex Tilapia, Spanish rice, salad

Thursday: Leftovers (we never eat a whole recipe's worth of anything!)

Friday: Family Night Out!!

Saturday: Homemade sloppy joes and veggies with dip (will post recipe later)

Sunday: Every man for himself...cause mama don't cook on Sundays!

For more great menu ideas, check out I'm and Organizing Junkie!

It's Been a Long Week

In the midst of praying for, worrying about, and keeping updated on Zoe's condition, we've had our own bouts of sickness here. Little Man ended up with a double ear infection, and I picked up some sort of sinus-infection-thingie along the way. Throw in a stressful week at work for Hubby and you've got the makings of one stressed-out family.

I'm ashamed to say we didn't necessarily handle it the best way, and I really have no one to blame but myself. Touting my sickness and mental and emotional exhaustion as an excuse, I once again lost the battle with my emotions. (See "Deep Thought Monday" for more info on the battle to control my emotional freight train.)

I was deeply convicted yesterday when I realized (yes, again) that my attitude sets the stage for the environment of my family. The old saying, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" carries more weight than most people realize. At least I never realized how appropriate it was, but I'm starting to.

That's why I was so encouraged once again by Sally Clarkson of I Take Joy. I was a bit behind in reading, so today I read her post from last week, "Fussing, fussing, fussing, and how to tame it!" (how appropriate, huh?). My favorite quote was:

I have been convicted over the years, that the first place of creating a peaceful environment in my home must start with me. I am responsible to God to seek to love and serve others because of His love for me.

Once again, Sally gives me something to think about...and something to strive for.