bible

Tonight at dinner we were talking about the bible and and how there are only 2 books named after ladies. (Ruth and Esther.) Well, Sarah pondered this a minute and then as serious as can be asked "What are we going to do in Sunday School once we have learned all the bible stories?"

I have done several studies and still don't even feel like I have a little glimpse at all the bible has to teach us. Sarah on the other hand is worried about running out of content. Oh, the things kids think and say. :)

2nd grade...here she comes!

Tuesday was the first day of school for Sarah! She has been ready to start for about a month now, missing the hussle and bussle of school, playing with friends, and chasing boys at recess. She didn't want a backpack this year, but chose a messenger bag instead. She did consider a Jonas Brothers bag for half a second, but went with Hannah Montana, of course.

At the end of first grade, Sarah's class "visited" second grade so that they would know what to expect. Sarah wished all summer to have the teacher that she visited, and she did get Mrs. Buce. Not only did she get a great teacher, but she also has several other girl scouts, her best friend from down the street and some kindergarten buddies all in her class. We're hoping that she is able to control her behavior as well as she has in the past! She is not quite as chit-chatty as her mother (yet).

Happy Anniversary

Steve and I celebrated 14 years this past week! Our brother-in-law kept the kids so we could go out. We decided to go to Itallianni's...the place where it all began. The food was great, Bellini was cold, and of course the company was perfect. If you haven't eated there, check it out. It is on Precinct Line Rd in Hurst.

For those of you that don't know, here is a little of our story...Steve and I started dating in the fall of 1993; I was a senior at Richland High School and Steve was a senior at UTA. My best friend Cari was working there and always raved about the food and how much fun she had. I decided to get a summer job to save up a little cash; little did I know that getting that job would be the start of a whole new future.

Steve worked as a bartender while he was going to school. He also participated in ROTC at TCU where he would get a Commision in the Air Force the following year. He always tried to woo me with chocolate milk, milkshakes, or cherry-sprites. After a while, and a smart decision stop dating the guy I was dating, Steve asked me out. We went to see a movie and pretty much things continued from there. We dated all through my senior year and Steve willingly went to many high school functions...dances, games, pep rallies, and prom. We continued to work together, even once he graduated and I went to TCU for my freshman year.

Steve went active duty in February 1995. When I went to Biloxi, MS over Spring Break to visit, he proposed. We got married August 12th! Steve's military career took us to South Carolina (Air Traffic Control training) , New Jersey (ATC for him and I graduated from Rowan University), Mississippi (pilot training for Steve and subbing for me), Washington (Teaching 4 years and a graduate degree in Reading and Literacy for me, C-17s for Steve and SARAH was born!) and finally to Del Rio, TX (Steve taught students to fly the T-1 and I stayed home with Sarah and SHANE).

Now we are back in Texas, near where we both grew up. {Steve graduated from Trinity}

Wow! What a ride it has been! Here's looking forward to 46+ more years!!

Wanting a new camera

I am officially in need of a new camera. Steve tried to get me a new one last year, but I resisted. Now, the one I have is just taking too blurry of pictures. So...I am seeking advice for a good camera. I am looking for a brand, price range, why you like it, etc. Please leave a comment if you have an opinion.

Thanks for any input you might have.

Lunch, funny questions, and PaPa's farm

We ate lunch with Grandy today at Red Lobster. My grandma Beej, mom, and I used to eat there each time we came home for a visit {during our 12 years in the military}. I guess Sarah eventually started eating with us, too. I always eat snow crab legs; today, Sarah also ordered a kid's portion. Boy there were a lot of shells to crack!!

In March 2007, Beej had surgery for colon cancer. The surgery and removal of cancer was successful, but during the surgery, her hernia expanded and compromised the air in her lungs...she has been in a nursing home and unable to walk ever since then. Until recently, she was also on a pureed food diet. So...today we snuck her in some coleslaw and those wonderful Cheddar Bay biscuits!

Anyway...while we were eating, Shane asked "What kind of animal does chicken come from, a pig or a cow?" We all answered "Chicken!" Shane then asked, "The bock-bock kind?"

With PaPa's farm in Burleson, the kids are immersed in a whole range of fun experiences. PaPa has many cows which he raises and then sells or butchers. He trapped three wild hogs [Bacon, Tenderloin, and Pork Chop]; we have enjoyed the meat from one-but, not sure which one. We also love to go down and pick fresh fruits & vegetables--corn, zucchini, squash, watermelon, blackberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and mouth-watering tomatoes.

Have I mentioned that I am so glad to be back in Texas and close to family!!

Meeting Darren Sproles

One of the highlights from our vacation to San Diego was meeting Darren Sproles (#43) who is the back-up running back for the San Diego Chargers. Steve is a true COWBOYS fan, but he also watches San Diego games so that he can hear "Sproles scored a touch down." Now let me just put in here, that with tivo, Steve is able to replay these announcements over and over to make sure that each person in our family gets to hear. :) Even though his name is spelled differently, it is pronounced just like ours. Here is the process that we went through to get our picture made with him...

Day 1-- We went to the retail store and found out where the player's practice facility was located. Then we went there and met a really nice receptionist who told us that we had just missed Darren. She told us to come back the next day a little earlier.

Day 2 -- We went back to the practice place and found that Darren had not come in that day. We met another nice representative of the team that let us take pictures with the trophy case and also with a poster featuring Sproles making a great catch that were both in the lobby. At this point, we thought this was all we might get, so we were excited.

Day 3 -- We went once more to the practice field and found out from a not so nice secretary, whom was filling in for the super nice lady, that Darren was practicing, but we could not wait in the lobby for him. We could, however, wait outside in the parking lot. He also told us that Darren drove a white Chrysler...something or other...and that as long as his car was there, then we might catch him. So, outside we went to wait. We waited for 45 minutes to an hour and made friends with a guy that washes the player's cars each week. He went inside and talked to Darren and told him that there was a family visiting from Texas with the same name that would like to meet him. Not sure if he told him we were stalking him, or what, but anyway...Then the car-washer-guy came out and told us that Darren was wearing a red shirt. This helped us "pounce" on the right player. Well, as it all turned out, Darren was a very nice guy that took a picture with us. He was a little shorter than we had expected, a couple of inches shorter than my 5'9". I guess this helps him "hide" behind the big guys and then run fast in for touchdowns.

Here is a link that Steve sent me about Darren Sproles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9KxK9k6sI8&feature=related

Steve is super-excited about the fact that San Diego will be playing here in Dallas this season. Steve will be the one COWBOY fan wearing a Sproles jersey, cheering on his namesake. Luckily, the game is well into the season; hopefully, by then, Steve will have befriended those ticket holders around us well enough that they don't bludgeon him with their programs. If Steve has it his way, he will trade game tickets with those around us, so that all 4 of us can attend this game!

Garlic Lime Chicken Marinade

This was super easy, and the chicken was so moist!

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice --about 2 med-sized limes
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper

Instructions:
1. Place chicken in a ziploc bag. Mix together soy sauce, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and mustard. Pour remainder over chicken in bag. Toss to coat well.
2. Marinate in fridge 30 min or up to 4 hours. Drain chicken; discard leftover marinade. Sprinkle chicken with pepper.
3. Grill chicken and enjoy!!