Happy Birthday Nate!

Last year in his 30s!

My Straight A Kids!

Meal Planning

Here's what we are having the next two weeks:
Monday: Party sandwiches and chips
Tuesday: Greek chicken, black eyed peas, and rolls
Wednesday: Chick Fil A (love how they do the special, "Bring your church bulletin from the previous Sunday, Buy one combo meal, get one free".
Thursday; Spaghetti and meatballs (both homemade), salad, garlic bread
Friday: Out to eat
Saturday: Filets (steak), twiced baked potatoes, and garlic bread
Sunday: Beef Stew Corbread

Monday: Grilled chicken, Pioneer Woman cheesy potatoes, fresh green beans
Tuesday: Ground beef tacos, rice and refried Beans
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Baked tilapia, roasted potatoes and broccoli, rolls
Friday: Whatever, leftovers or out to eat
Saturday: Homemade pizza
Sunday: Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots, asparagus, homemade bread (well Rhodes frozen dough)

Seth's Birthday Party Sleepover

My Lasagna

Nearly every time I make lasagna, I'm asked for the recipe. It's very yummy and easy to make. I ONLY use Barilla lasagna sheets...they are no boil so that's a huge plus. After I started making this, I vowed to never purchase another frozen lasagna in my life! This homemade version is definitely worth it!

Jen's Lasagna

Ingredients
1 (9 ounce) box of barilla no-boil lasagna noodles
2 eggs
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese (I use lowfat)
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (not the powder, you need fresh)

1 T dried parsley
1/2 lb ground beef, browned and drained

1/2 lb ground, mild Italian sausage
2 (27 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce (I use homemade if I have it, but if not, 2 cheap cans of Del Monte garlic and herb chunky is my favorite) Another little tip I have is to add 2 T sugar for each can of sauce. They use so much salt to preserve the sauce so if you add sugar, it counteracts all the saltiness.

Directions
Preheat oven to 375.
In bowl, combine beaten eggs, ricotta cheese and TWO cups of the mozzarella cheese and parmesan.
Set aside.
In a 13X9X3 pan, spread 1 cup of sauce on bottom of pan.
Layer in the order, 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, then 1/3 part of the ricotta cheese mixture, half the browned meat, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup of spaghetti sauce.
next layer, 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, 1/3 part of the ricotta cheese mixture, and 1 1/2 c. sauce.
Next layer, 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, remaining ricotta mixture and remained meat, 1 cup of sauce.
For top layer, 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, remaining sauce, and remaining 1 cup mozzarella.
Bake covered with foil for 50 minutes.
Uncover and continue cooking for 10 more minutes.
Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

If you don't have a 3 inch deep lasagna pan, you can use a 13X9X2 pan---just make 3 layers to avoid boiling over.

Meal Planning

I don't really make resolutions, but I had decided once the new year started that I would be better about meal planning and sticking with it. I also want to go to the grocery store and just purchase (aside from a few things) those things that I need. So far, I've done good! Here's what we are having this week:

Monday: Baked ham (leftover from Christmas that was frozen), homemade macaroni and cheese, steamed broccoli, biscuits.
Tuesday: Pot roast with carrots, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls
Wednesday: Make our own deep dish pizzas (something quick and easy since we have AWANA)
Thursday: Beef Stew (with leftover pot roast) and homemade bread
Friday: Seth's having a birthday sleepover so whatever. He wants McDonalds for everyone. ugh
Saturday: Out to eat
Sunday: Tacos

Next week:

Monday: Baked Tilapia, roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli
Tuesday: Lasagna, salad, garlic bread
Wednesday: Leftovers or Chick Fil A with the church bulletin :) since we have AWANA
Thursday: Beef Teriyaki with veggies and rice
Friday: Out to eat
Saturday: Shredded Beef Tacos
Sunday: Whatever

Tie Dyed Cupcakes

Since Seth's birthday falls during the Christmas break, I always send a birthday treat to school with him when he goes back. I saw these adorable tie dyed (or rainbow) cupcakes (and you can also make a cake like this) on Meg's blog, and knew that I wanted to do these! They are super easy, but VERY time consuming. I think it's worth it though because they came out perfect and so fun!


First of all, for 24 cupcakes, you will need 2 white cake mixes, mixed per the directions. Then divide the batter into six colors (see bowls below) and mix with each of these icing colors. Regular food coloring won't work because it's not "vibrant" enough and too much coloring will make the mix taste bitter. Been there, done that so I knew. I love these icing colors!

Then, starting with purple, layer a spoonful (talking about a regular, dinner spoon) of each color. After purple, add blue, green, yellow, orange, and last red. You don't have to be perfect or precise with spreading it all around...it will spread on it's own during baking.

Bake according to package directions. Aren't these already so neat looking??!!

Then frost with your favorite white frosting. I used the new "spray can" frosting and it was great! Easy, with a decoratort tip and I think it tasted better than the tub of frosting. Of course you can always make your own and use a decorator tip. Then add some fun sprinkles.

The food critics around here gave these a perfect score!

See what they looked like inside! LOVE the colors!

And these were ready to take to Seth's class the next day. Seth said they got excellent reviews!

I think for Mardi Gras, I'll make these just layering purple, green, and yellow. Then add just those colors of sprinkles! You could also do any holiday and just 'dye' the mix whatever color goes along with that holiday. I think 4th of July would be fun with blue and red! Oh and Halloween, orange and black...or even orange, black, with green! Oh and Christmas...the possibilities are endless!

Seth's Decision

I'm so proud to announce that on December 6th, 2009 Seth asked Jesus into his heart! He's been asking lots of questions and really seeking these last few months. At Sunday school that day, his teacher, Mrs. Connie came up to me afterwards and told me that Seth made a prayer request (to her and in front of the entire class). He asked that everyone pray that he becomes a Christian. Connie, who is a good friend, told me she wanted me/us to be able to have that moment with him, instead of her leading him in prayer right then. I was thankful and glad. Nathan and I were so blessed to be able to share that moment with him. It's a parents greatest priviledge!

Georgia

I can't believe we are going to Georgia. Nathan found out yesterday that he will get an assignment at Headquarters. This is a very coveted position. It's hard to get one, especially in the position he's going to have. He'll be doing analysis...whatever that means! He told me he'll be crunching numbers and that's what he loves...plus it goes right along with his degree. He'll have no more goals/quotas, no more recruiters to be responsible for, no more employment or MEPS personnel to deal with. No more squadron commanders to butter up to and try to make happy (well except just his own!). No more stress or late nights or weekends or constant TDYs. I know this is a dream job for him...I just hate leaving everything here. I have the best friends, the kid's have the best school, I have the best job, we have the best neighbors, and I love this house. I hate the idea of finding another house, especially renting...that's what we will do. It's been great being this close to our families, but deep down I knew it wouldn't, it couldn't last. I go from being kinda excited to being really sad. I hate knowing so much in advance. I think I might need some valium. ;)

Seth turns 7!!

Seth turned 7 on December 29th. He was born at 10:30 at night so when everyone would tell him, "Happy Birthday!", he'd say, "Not yet...not 'til 10:30 tonight, and that's Wyoming time!" We'll have his friend party on the 15th of January, or what he calls his fake birthday.

Seth is:

loving and sweet, but he can have a mean, onery side. Luckily, that side doesn't come out at school! He always gets an A plus for behavior each day.

very smart! He had all As and one B on his last report card. This 9 weeks, he made all As!

extremely tough and fearless. These personality traits scare his momma!

starting to like to read. And he's a great reader! Already reading at a 3rd grade (actually 3.5) level.

loves to be outside and especially loves playgrounds.

still a momma's boy. He loves to snuggle with me and show affection. He still calls me "love" every once in a while and he always looks out for me. He still doesn't like for me to be away from him for very long at all. I love that.

Seth loves: all things Star Wars, steak, cheeseburgers, pizza, macaroni and cheese, 'teen' milk (milk mixed with Ovaltine), Transformers, Nintendo Wii and DS, ice cream, riding his bike, getting dirty, 4-wheeler rides with dad, basketball, dogs (poor thing is so allergic), McDonalds, and Outback.

Opening Gifts at our house

When we woke up on Christmas Eve morning, we found Seth like this! He said he had his days mixed up (yeah right). He was SO anxious to open his gifts! So, before we headed north to my mom's we let the boys open a few.

Jonathan and Seth are so obsessed with all things Star Wars. Nearly everything on their list was Star Wars related...ugh. It, like everything else will be a phase and then all this stuff will be useless. Ha! I miss the classic, timeless toys.

Jonathan did ask for this Nerf gun and I was glad to get it for him! Something besides Star Wars...yay!

Jonathan also wanted these Lego City Police items. He had both these huge sets built in no time!

Santa did bring the boys bikes. Jonathan's bike was worn out and Seth's got ran over so these were much needed.

Christmas 2009...Brothertons, Walkers, Bickles

It seems we are always going going going at Christmastime. We have so many celebrations to attend. I hate to admit this, but it was so much easier and peaceful when we were stationed far away! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being close to family, but even as I sit and type this three days later, I'm exhausted. I noticed this year that I just wasn't much in the picture taking mood like I usually am. By the time we went to my inlaw's on the 26th, I think I took like three pictures!

First stop: Christmas Eve (day) at my parent's.






Seth earned lots of "AWANA bucks" this year and spent most of his earnings on gifts for everyone. It was so cute...he was so excited to give the grandparents their gifts. He's so generous! He got my mom this bath and body set with a new testament Bible. :)

And he got my step-dad a Christmas candle holder with a candle in it.

Seth has been wanting this for a long time! De-De and Ke-Ka came through!

My step-dad and Nathan both love UnderArmour clothing. Nathan was thrilled (can't tell in this photo, he wasn't feeling great) to get this shirt!

Second stop: Christmas Eve (night). My uncle Donnie and aunt Mil's (Walker) house. This is my mom's side of the family. She has one sister and four brothers and most of them were there. Of course I got photos of mostly kids.

Seth and his cousin Taylor. These guys are good friends and play well when we get together. They are only 5 months apart.

My cousins Reese and Kara

My cousin Mark and his youngest daughter, Kara. Mark and his brother Brian are like my brothers more than cousins. We are still very close.

My sweet Papaw Walker with Seth and Jonathan. Papaw was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus in April of this year. He had surgery to remove the cancer and then chemo. He really has had a rough time with all of it. At times, we were wondering if he'd make it, but now, he's doing SO well! Has his memory back, more of a voice, and he's gaining weight and strenth each day.

I'm not fond of this picture of me, but I will treasure it forever!

He even sang and played the guitar!

The youngest of the Walker clan...Rhett. He is so precious! Sure makes me miss mine being that little.

Rhett (and Reese's) parents, Brian and Elizabeth.

Mom and Jonathan

Mom and Seth

Jonathan and Seth with my step-dad Tim. They call him, "Ke-Ka". My mom started dating Tim when Jonathan was just a newborn. They are both widowed and we can all see how God had his hands on them and their meeting. Tim is the only grandfather that my boys know and they love each other so much! He treats them like his own and is so good to them. We are blessed for having Ke-Ka!

We even got to see snow falling!! It wasn't cold enough to stick, but it was sure beautiful coming down. I miss the snow.

Third stop: December 26th, The Bickle's home. My inlaw's, Nathan's family.

Jonathan and his Pa-Pa

The boys about to eat lunch. My mother in law made her awesome sauce and we had spaghetti.

We celebrated with Nathan's parents, brother, sister and brother in law, and some family friends.