Meal Idea Monday

The VERY best "Baked Chicken & Rice" you've ever had...for real

1 ¼ cup uncooked rice
3 cans of: cream of chicken
¼ cup melted butter
½ cup milk
¼ cup French dressing
1 package sliced almonds
parmesan cheese
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Spray a 13x9 pan. Mix all liquid ingredients together. Add rice to half of liquid ingredients and pour in bottom of pan. Lay chicken on top; pour remaining liquid over chicken. Sprinkle generously with almonds & parmesan cheese. Bake at 325° 1 ½ hours, covered with foil for 1 hour. Uncovered for 30 minutes.

This is so good, so easy...and the leftovers are AWESOME!

Backyard Bible Clubs

Day 1 Group Shot w/ Aiden and Grier

First Freeze Pop

Summertime

Day 2 Group Shot

Singing songs

Backyard Bible Clubs are this week for our church's association. Gracen has Princess Camp, thanks to our amazing dance studio....Dance Emotions. So I've been going with the other 3. Backyard Bible Clubs are so cool. They are one of the highlights of the summer for me. It's like VBS, but more outreach oriented, b/c they are in people's backyards. The idea is that you will invite your neighbors to come and participate. It works out well, b/c most kids are already bored from the summer break, and most parents are looking for something to entertain their kids...perfect! They are led by each of the churches youth, who go away to boot camp for training. I LOVE to see the youth stepping up and serving in this way. It really helps me to have vision for my own children 10 years down the road...and how exciting for the parents of all these teens to know that their kids can share the gospel like 5 different ways...pretty cool stuff. Friday night is the big "party" (Summerfest) where all the families are invited to come and celebrate the week w/ games, food, and fellowship. It's a blast. Aiden is really into it this year, and Grier is just along for the ride.

The Cutest Baby Ever

Evan-almost 7 months

Seriously...is she not a doll?! Those cheeks get LOTS and LOTS of kisses.

Meal Idea Monday

Oregano Chicken

1/4 c. butter melted
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbs. soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 large clove garlic, crushed
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Hot cooked rice

Combine first 6 ingredients; stir well. Place chicken in an ungreased 13x9 inch baking dish. Pour butter mixture over chicken. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Serve it over the rice, with the juices if you'd like. Yummy!! This chicken is so tender and full of flavor!

Big Brother's Shadow

I found her yesterday hanging out in Aiden's room watching him play with his Tinker Toys. Apparently, she wanted to be cozy during the viewing. She was snuggled on his toy box complete with her pillow and blanket. Grier is such a character. She LOVES her big brother. She follows him around a lot, which is fine by him. Aiden is really really sweet with Grier, and appreciates the company. They both love being around people and would rather play with someone than be alone...so they make a good pair.

4 going on 14

My 4 year old, going on 14...Gracen has claimed a "special" spot in the house. She sandwiches herself between a chair and the couch...and usually puts this pillow up as the "door". Oh, and she calls it her "cave". Have I mentioned that she NEEDS alone time...like a lot?! I totally don't get this, and it can be a real source of frustration for me. But my dear, sweet husband not only gets it but identifies with it. He is helping me to understand her a little more, and to be okay with it. I want her to be fun, and lively, and the life of the party...but she's not. She is definitely all of those things at times...but not on command, and especially not in any sort of predictable pattern. I am learning a lot as a mom, as usual...and I feel like something God has been working with me a lot on, is stepping back and letting my kids be who God created them to be...not who I want them to be. Now, I'm not saying let them behave however they want to, or speak to people however they want, etc. I'm talking about their God given personalities. And if you know me even a little bit, you know that I LOVE to talk personalities, and tests, and that I use sanguine, choleric, melancholy, and phlegmatic in my day to day language. :) So this should be an easy lesson for me. I mean, I get that my daughter is not a sanguine (look it up)...but why not? It's so much fun...doesn't she want to have fun?! See what I mean? That's the slippery slope I go down. God made all of my kids special and different...and each has a unique personality...now it's just a matter of me stepping back and letting God do amazing things with that unique personality.

My Future

My future: The girls taking the car for a spin...not ready!

Doesn't Gracen look mischievous?!
First time in the driver's seat...3rd born.

Playing in the Garage

Bubble Head
Easy Rider

My tough guy

She looks guilty

Hanging out in the garage, trying to hide from the sun.

The Mysterious Package

I received this box last week, with Huggies diapers, wipes, and baby wash!! But there was no note attached or any kind of clue as to where it came from. I do love mysteries...however, I would love to thank the person who sent this to us. So, if you are a blog reader of mine...thank you so much!! What a thoughtful gift! We love diapers...especially with all of the bottoms around here. :)

The Summer Do

The Before-My favorite Mop Top

Doing some cutting prep work-Mommy's trying to hold it together.

Daddy working his shaving skills

Hosing off all that hair

The After-a much cooler head for summer...a much sadder Mommy

And I'm pretty sure we cut off the last of his red hair...okay, maybe not all of it...but most of it. *Sniff, Sniff.

Meal Idea Monday

Chicken Almond Stir-Fry

2 tbs. vegetable or sesame oil
4 skinned and boned chicken breast halves, cut into thin strips
1 (2.25 oz.) package sliced almonds
1 (16oz.) package frozen broccoli, carrots, and water chestnuts
1 tbs. cornstarch
1 tbs. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup pineapple juice
Hot Cooked Rice

Pour oil around top of preheated wok, coating sides, or in a large nonstick skillet. Heat briefly at medium-high heat. Add chicken and almonds; stir-fry 2 minutes. Add frozen vegetables; cover and cook 4 minutes, stirring once.
Combine cornstarch and next 4 ingredients; add to wok. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture thickens. Serve over rice.

This is super yummy...and my kids even love it! I marinade my chicken in a little soy sauce before cooking, to add some extra flavor. It's really easy too.