Wow! Has it really been a week since I last blogged?

Happy May Day, everyone!
This week I've:
**ordered prints from Wallyworld of the Senior Portraits for family and friends,
**written out the invitations for the graduation/party,
**strolled down memory lane while perusing through a big box of snapshots--picking out ones to be put onto a photo board for the graduation/party,
**strolled down memory lane while perusing through files of photos on the computer--picking out ones to send to Wallyworld to be printed so they can be put on the photo board for the graduation/party,
**visited my parents. again.
**oh yeah, we went camping until Tuesday. Back to work on Wednesday. Boy, was it a hurried/busy half-week at work! I'm glad it's over!
**enjoyed the company of my children. All week. Well, I enjoyed it most of the week. Occasionally--not so much. But that's another story for another day.

Okay, I'll tell you a short story. But that's it for now. I mean it now--don't whine for more.
My oldest son got mad at me Wednesday morning. I'm not entirely sure why...but he's 16, so that's probably reason enough. Anyway, he had promised a lady from church that he would help her get her herb garden in this week. Wednesday was the day...so I dropped him off at her house, sour mood and all. Several hours later when I picked him up he was a different boy. All smiles and talkative. He told me, "You can't stay in a bad mood around that couple!"
I'm so thankful to God that He has placed some good, godly people in our lives.

What I've done been doin'...

I've got graduation on my mind.

So far we've...

... shopped for decorations and paper products. *check*

... planned the menu. *check*

... bought the invitations, set the date and time. *check* *check* *check*

... made out the guestlist (*check*) only to have several people from church ask if they were invited (oops, oversight on my part). (*uncheck*)
... printed out a diploma because the one I ordered won't be here in time. *check* Found a really nice frame for it. *check*
... taken photos, narrowed them down, printed the proofs. *check* *check* *check*
(Shelly, I looked into the place where you got your pics and the closest one is the same one you used. Thanks, anyway!)

Wanna see? I knew you would.

We each have our favorites. Her daddy doesn't care for the ones of her peeking around the corner of the barn...but it shows her playful side, so we'll definately order a few of those prints. We'll let him pick out which one to use for the big frame. BTW, most of these were taken at my parent's farm. The one by the water was taken at the local park. The one with the guitar was taken at church. We've been travelin'!!!

Okay, now I'm off to pack. We're going camping for a few days in an attempt to unwind and regroup. I'm so frazzled I can't think straight. "See" ya later next week. Be good. :)

Finally Friday.

Don't go bursting my bubble by telling me it's only Thursday.

I need a vacation.

Between work, planning a graduation, and hormones...I'm beat. I didn't get K to a photographer in time to get her pictures taken, so I am doing them myself. We need to get these done, K. Do you hear me? I need to move on to doing the photo collage and planning the meal.
And you know what? I just did a mental check and other than a week's vacation in June, I don't expect to get any reprieve until sometime in August.
Mother's Day, Father's Day (and the appropriate banquets at church), the graduation and it's party, a wedding in another state, VBS, youth camp, scout camp, the church picnic, 4H activities, Boy Scout outings....UGH!

{deep breath}

I think I'll just take it one week at a time. The days fly by too fast to take them one at a time.

Bills.

It has come to my attention that bills are due. Again.
Ugh.
You know...after more than 20 years of writing checks and buying stamps and running around town to pay the *local* bills (so I don't have to spend the stamps I just bought)...you would think I would either:
A.) be so used to doing it that it would be a habit by now.
B.) set up my online account to automatically pay them every month.
or
C.) deserve a break.

I choose option C.
Sadly, the utility companies don't agree.

The older my children become, the busier I get. The busier I get, the faster the days roll around. It's the middle of the month AGAIN!?!?! Wow...didn't we just have one of those a month ago?

So...I need to buck it up and get out the checkbook.

Ugh.

Happy Easter!

For the message of the cross is foolishness

to those who are perishing, but to us

who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

Happy Resurrection Day, dear family and friends!

Ahhhhh.

It's one of those peaceful moments in my life. All is well with my soul. I'm happy and I know it.
My husband and two teens left yesterday morning with the church youth group to go to an annual Christian concert event. They arrived back home an hour ago. I've talked to all three--hearing all the exciting news--and now they're resting. My girl had the most sleep--3 or 4 hours. Doug, who had to drive one of the vans, slept for 2 hours. My boy stayed up all night and HE is the one who is most talkative.
He's growing up. And it makes me smile. When I witness those touching moments when he's being the protective or helpful big brother to his little brother...and when I see how he teases his big sister one moment and the next he fiercely protects her...it just touches my heart. My oldest boy is growing up and becoming a man--and I like what I see. Good job, sweet boy. You're going to be OK in this world. Our job of raising you is almost over and in a few short years you will step out on your own. May God continue to be your focus and guide. Blessings to you.

Cooking....again.

I was stumped for what to fix for supper tonight. Timothy helped me peek in the cabinets and fridge. In the freezer there was 3 packages of various types of fish. Doug doesn't like fish, but the kids and I do. We can have some fish for lunch tomorrow...but that will never work for supper. There was also a package of meatballs, some browned ground beef and various vegetables. Leftovers were in the fridge--not much help there. The pantry is pretty well stocked. The family has eaten all the sliced bread in the house, though. It's snowing outside and I don't want to make a run to the store. So I have to make do with what I have on hand.
Hmmmm...what to fix?
Several years ago I made a list of foods I frequently make that the family loves. So I got that list out and looked it over. I'm not in the mood for any of the soups or stews. Fried bologna and grilled cheese sandwiches are out....no bread. I had just made spaghetti...so not that. Or lasagna. A-HA! Here are a couple of winners: Taco Bake Casserole...or...Meatball Sub Casserole.
I pick...

....drum roll please....

Meatball Sub Casserole!
My teenagers are excited. I haven't made this for a couple of years.
There won't be any leftovers tonight!
Try it out:

Meatball Sub Casserole

1 pound frozen meatballs
1 jar (28 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
2 garlic cloves, minced

1 loaf (1 pound) Italian bread, cut into 1” slices

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
½ cup mayonnaise (no substitutes—don’t use light or fat-free)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Combine spaghetti sauce, water, garlic and meatballs in a heavy saucepan. Heat for 15 minutes, or until meatballs are thawed and heated through. Cool.
Arrange bread in a single layer in an ungreased 13” x 9” x 2” baking dish (all of the bread may not be used). Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning and pepper; spread over the bread. Sprinkle with ½ cup mozzarella. Pour meatball/sauce mixture over cheese mixture; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through.