I hear them

Today was quite the Monday. The kids were off the walls. We figured it has to be a full moon or something because they all were in some type of mood. Little J (I wont ever use names), is in 1st grade and is the cutest thing ever. Today he slept most of the morning due to recovery from illness but once he woke up he was a little ball of fire. I am standing at his schedule with him directing him to check his schedule so we can continue with our day. At this point he proceeds to says..."Excuse me, Excuse me...Can I talk to you for a minute?!" I say yes and he starts to hug me, however he isn't hugging me anymore when he puts his face against my stomach and says "I hear the babies!" We explained to him there are no babies in my tummy but he continued on with his ear against my tummy. (His aide from last year is pregnant with twins so we think he got me confused with her) So all day, "I hear the babies" and "Are the babies ok?" and NO there are NO babies. It was quite the day. Because after that, I got kicked in the stomach, punched in the nose and kicked all over. However, at the end of the day, I still love my job and love watching the progress of these little youngsters!! Say a prayer, we are getting three MORE new ones on Wednesday- that adds our total to 11!!!

Brindle

So tonight I took Pip to the dog park since Justin is out of town and I found the most adorable "mans man" dog. When Justin and I get another dog, in the far far future this is what I want...(granted it is up to Justin, since I chose Pip, but still I can help) It is called a Brindle Boxer!! They have tiger stripes on them. BEAUTIFUL!!

Say A Prayer

Tomorrow is the first day of school! AHHH- hence my lack of blogging. I will be in the Ready Room with 10 children with autism so say a prayer!!

Remembering this as I prepare for tomorrow..."So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Update tomorrow afternoon

Teaching

God has been teaching me so much lately. It was paitence, now it is trusting in his plan. I'll go into more detail later but for now...some verses which are getting me through...

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2nd Corinthians 4:8-12

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2


There are many more, but during hard times and during times I can't see the whole picture, I know the artist of my life does a way better job of painting my life than I can do, so I just have to let go and know that I serve a good and faithful Lord.

A Gift of Stress Relief

Today was great! I love my team even more than I did before. Libby is amazing and I got to meet Hollie today! We did regular staff development stuff, had a speaker, worked on schedules, etc. but Libby did the cutest thing for Hollie & me today. A bag on my desk with gum, kiss, smarties, starburst, snickers, tootsie roll, and lifesavers, along with these things came a sheet of paper with this written...

A stick of gum to remind you to "stick with it"
...but the Master never lets you down. He'll stick by you and protect you...2 Thes. 3:1

A kiss to remind you that you are LOVED!
Love & Truth meet in the street, Right living and whole living embrace and kiss! Psalm 85:10

Smarties to help you on those days you don't have all the answers!
...If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who has built his house on solid rock...Matthew 7:24

Starburst to give you a "burst" of energy when you need it!
I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you. God, my God, I can't thank you enough...Psalm 30:11

Snickers, because sometimes you just need a laugh!
A right time to cry and another to laugh...Ecclesiastes 3:2

Tootsie Roll to remind you not to bite off more than you can chew!
Instead you thrill to God's word, you chew on Scripture day and night Psalm 1:2

Lifesavers for those days when you need to be "rescued!"
...His love never quits. Rescued us from the trampling boot, His love never quits. Psalm 136:23

A bag to help you hold it all together and give you "food for thought!"
...Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2nd Timothy 3:14


I am so blessed to be working with Libby, she truly is a God send! I love her and I love that she starts the year off right by giving us not only candy (which you know is the way to my heart) but by giving us these anchor verses to go into this year with. Thank you Libby! You are amazing!!

Kimberly is BACK!

Friday night Kimberly arrived back in College Station to move into her new town home! I made her a little welcome home present...(strawberry cake with cream cheese icing and sprinkles). After I finished the cake I took it over to her house and this is the disaster of moving I found.As you can see, I was a giant help. : ) This morning I went back over there to wait with her until her furniture got delivered. We waited like stalkers at the windows. Every truck that pulled up we assumed was them..it wasn't. But finally...when they came they came...(as you can see, 2 trucks!) We were worried that the couch & love seat wouldn't fit through the door but it made it!! I am so glad she is back!

Welcome Home Slicer!!

Photo Shoot with Pip

When Pip was a baby I took pictures of him constantly. I mean I have folders on my computer organized by the month of Pip's life I took so many pictures. However, once he hit one I didn't take near as many so today at Kimberly's Pip and I had a little mommy son photo shoot! : )

Trying to eat my hand

Attacking my hand

Giving mommy kissesGirls Best FriendWhere would I be without my little Pip-squeak!?

Italian Spinach & Chicken

I'm back in the kitchen! : )

Today I took Pip to the dog park for two hours then came home and layed out for two hours! It was a good day. I actually got some sun too! Anyways, back to my recipe!
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chopped shallots
1 can diced tomatoes
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 (3.5 oz) package of sliced pepperoni
2 (10 oz) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed & well drained
2 tsp. chopped fresh basil (I didn't use fresh)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups hot cooked white rice1. In large skillet, cook chicken, garlic, and shallots in 1 tablespoon hot olive oil over medium heat, until the chicken is no longer pink.

2. Stir in tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and pepperoni. Simmer, covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add spinach and simmer, covered for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Serve over rice.

Also, I roasted garlic! YUMMY!! It was super easy too! We just got off the bottom of the clove, covered the clove with olive oil, place in muffin pin, cover with foil. Cook at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes until soft. Then we spread it on toast! YUM!!
And of course, Pip waiting patiently for me to drop something : )

No New Food

Sorry for the lack of recipes. We have been eating left overs for the past two nights. I have been cooking for three sometimes four so we hadn't had any left overs but this week it has just been Justin and me so we have all sorts of left overs, so tonight was left overs as was yesterday. Tomorrow though we are having Italian Spinach & Chicken- found the recipe at Kroger on one of those free recipes wheels...looks really good though....spinach, chicken, pepperoni, rice, garlic....yummmy...I'll let you know.

In other news, I went to my new employee orientation today. Got my email address! I was so excited to have a professional email : ) I know such a small thing but for me it is huge and I was super excited. Professional Development starts Monday and I can hardly wait! I am making a surprise for my team...I'll give you a clue. : )

A poem &I'll post picture of it complete once it is finished!

Member my old post about how my life would be once I was married...Justin & Pip both asleep. Well not much as changed- Justin had to go to work this morning @ 4:15 so he came home and took about a 3 hour nap while Pip was also asleep...they both are wide awake now, one of his computer, one chewing his bone- I'll let you figure out which is which : )

Mrs. Knight

One of my education major friends had the cutest name plate for her room and even though I share a room I still made a sign that says, "Mrs. Knight's Room" that has a lady bug and a bee on it. This is the progress...

It is not finished at all, I'll post a finished product when I'm done.

Also, Mrs. Johnson (Matt- our ministers mom) sent us a book in the mail today. That family is just something else. They just radiate sweetness. The book she sent us is called "The Most Important Year in a Woman's Life" on one side and then you turn the book over and it is called "The Most Important Year in a Man's Life from Focus on the Family" Leslee and Matt read it and and have found it very helpful in their marraige, so tonight after dinner Justin and I are going to read some of it. : )

Also, got some home goods at Hobby Lobby this afternoon...

Hot Chicken Salad

Tonight I made hot chicken salad. Mom made it for Elissa & me when I went home for the day, so I decided I would make it for Justin. The recipes is as follows:Hot Chicken Salad from the kitchen of Mom:

1 small rotis. chicken, chopped

1 cup diced celery

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup mayonaise

1 cup grated chedder cheese

Spray 13 X 9 baking dish with cooking spray. Mix all ingridenents together and put in dish. Heat oven to 350 degrees and cook for 20 minutes.

We made sandwhichs with it tonight but you could also put it over a bed of lettuce if you wanted.

Now time to shower and start reading our new book from Mrs. Johnson!

You think this is what they will look like?

Girl




Boy

Justin Ave & Lauren Dr

This is a corner lot in College Station...and ITS FOR SALE!! Crazy huh?

Also, how cute is this? Avery eating a lemon @ the apartment

Beef Stroganoff

I am trying to enjoy my last few days off so I sleep in as long as possible then got busy. I went and got my nails re-done, then went to Dillards and tried to exchange something which they didn't have so that was NOT a success. I came home and cleaned up the apartment a little. Organized the extra bedroom, vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, started laundry then started dinner. Natalie came over to get our old vacuum and helped me with dinner then ate dinner with us! Tonight I made my mom's super easy beef stroganoff...

she didnt want me to take her picture...lame

Beef Stroganoff from the kitchen of Mom

1 lb. ground beef
1 small onion
1 can of mushroom whole/pieces (drained)
1 can of cream of chicken
1 small container of sour cream
salt & pepper to taste
egg noodles- *I used spiral noodles, it was all I had*


Brown the ground beef & onion. Add the mushroom, cream of chicken and the sour cream. (Once the sour cream is in, make sure you don't boil it). Simmer until heated thoroughly. Prepare egg noodles as directed on the package.


Place the beef mixture over the egg noodles. Tomorrow night...hot chicken salad

Taco Soup

Tonight I made Taco Soup and Carla and I were discussing how I should be like Julie & Julia and blog all my good recipes from my first year of marriage so here goes nothing...

Taco Soup from the kitchen of Lauren Clegg:

1.5 lb. ground beef
chopped onion (small)
2 cans ranch style pinto beans (undrained)
2 cans corn (undrained) ~ 30 oz.
1 can tomato sauce
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 small can chopped green chillies (I can never find this so I just leave them out)
1 cup water
1 small package taco seasoning mix
1 small package ranch dressing mix

Brown meat with onions. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to boil- simmer for 15 minutes.

Top with cheese, fritos, and sour cream, etc.

It looks like a lot of ingredients but they are all cans so its really simple & cheap!P.S. I chopped all my hair offhad to throw in a picture of Justin making his corned beef hash

The Better

I got a job!!!

I am so thrilled to announce that after my interview today at Sam Houston Elementary, Mrs. Scott, my new principal called to inform me that they wanted to offer me the position in the Ready Room which is working with Autistic children! I am so excited and can't wait to get to work, as for now though I need to get researching on Autism!

God is good and he DID provide.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Good:

I had an amazing interview this morning. It went really well and I had a great feeling about the school the second I walked in. We will see. And even if I don't get it, it was a good interview and good experience. I really liked the people that interviewed me and regardless it was a pleasant morning.

The Bad:

A few days ago Pip ate at least 10 Hersey chocolate kisses while I wasn't at home. He went CRAZY! His eyes were dilated, he had to pee every 5 minutes, he was just running in circles, going literally insane. I thought it was because he needed to run around so we went to the dog park. Well, Sunday morning I woke up and found he had thrown up all of the foil from the kisses. I was worried but he seemed fine besides still having to pee all the time. Then this morning he was fine but really lazy and still was pooping foil from the chocolate. I went to my interview and came home and he hadn't moved since I left. Kason started playing with him, and suddenly he starts vomiting, 3 times to be exact. So I called the vet and took him in. His toxic levels were very high and they suggested hospitalization but they also had a outpatient procedure, so I opted for that one. Poor little guy...he hasn't moved still since we got home. He isn't allowed to eat till tomorrow or drink until tonight. I also have medicine to give him-one medicine 3 times a day and one medicine 2 times a day until his body is done getting rid of his toxins. Poor little guy...hopefully this will teach him not to eat chocolate EVER AGAIN!!

The Ugly:

What we are having for dinner: Corned Beef Hash & Cabbage- YUCK! Justin & Kason are dying for it though, so that is what we are having. I will probably have a salad and a sandwich.

In the Boots

After coming home from the dog park Justin & I headed to the grocery store to get our weekly groceries. When we returned Kason was wearing his boots to start breaking them in. Kason was discussing with Justin the differences in their boots and...me being me & Carla being Carla thought this would be a great photo op so we made Kason take his off and get Justin's out of his box and this is what followed...

Oh the joys of marrying a Corps boy...love you Carla!

Dog Park

Yesterday and today Pip and I have headed to his heaven. The dog park. Pip had never been before until yesterday and he had a blast. He followed two lab puppies around the pond before he gave up and ran and jumped into the pond with them. He immediately knew he was in big trouble and he began doggie paddling his way to shore and running and hiding behind me. It was HILARIOUS!!

Today Justin and I got up and went to church and then came home and got busy doing Sunday chores around the apartment done before Justin & I, Carla & Kason went to Double Daves for lunch with the Cokers and the Jamesons. We all ate and had a wonderful time together before heading to the dog park again, this time with Rudder with us! It was Rudder's first time in the water again but he was back in action like never tore his ACL!!After the dog park, we went to the park for humans which is right outside the dog park and all had a little more fun before heading to Cold Stone to end the perfect Sunday afternoon.