Runners!

I am wondering if our girls have picked up the running bug?

He Did It!!!!!

A big congratulations to my husband!!! He ran the River Bank Run yesterday and I am so proud of him. What an awesome experience! It was very exciting for me and also a little nerve wracking. After I dropped him off down town, I headed out to my first location, decided to get a coffee at the Dunkin Donuts drive thru, when I noticed his "bib" number on the floor. All I could do was pray and drive back into town 10 miles with less than 30 minutes to the start of the race. I found a parking spot and started running. Thankfully I had my running gear on. I never found him at the start - I found some friends and said, "if you see him - I've got his bib". So then, it was more running for me, hop in the car and drive to Wilson. How cool!!! I waited on the bridge and saw him (got to run across the bridge area together). Thankfully the "bib" wasn't a big deal and I was also so thankful that he looked strong. His knee had been bothering him the last couple of weeks and we didn't know what to expect. He finished with a time of 2:17:56!!! I was able to hand him his bib so he could cross the finish line with it. Personally, for me it was so exciting - tears were in my eyes - as I saw so many people overcoming so many things and being cheered on. I would love to hear everyones' story. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share. I was so excited to see my husband and other friends running that I didn't have time to get a picture. Maybe next time.

Hat Day

It was hat day at my daughter's preschool. Need I say more.....

Decision Part II

Now for the rest of the story...... If you read my last blog post you know how excited I am about At Home America. However, what you don't know is that while I was in the middle of writing that post I got an unexpected phone call from the Principal where my husband teaches. He was calling to offer me a part time teaching position for next year. Talk about your life turning upside down. Here I am a SAHM with two little girls and I haven't been in the classroom for over seven years. Well, I did some investigating and praying about the position and I accepted the job on Tuesday morning!! I'm mostly excited but still a littler nervous, especially about figuring out all of the details with the girls. One might think I'm really crazy, but I'm still going to go ahead with the At Home America.

Announcement!!

I have a big announcement to make! No - I am not pregnant. I am signing up to become an At Home America Home Style Specialist!! After attending my first home party in December (Thanks Laurie!), I realized how much I really liked the product! I took a book home with me and I kept pouring over it. Then, I decided to have a party in February. By that point I loved the new catalog and there were a number of items that I really wanted. This company has been on my mind for a long time and I have been praying about joining this company. If you haven't heard of At Home America I encourage you to check out their website www.athome.com. I have found they have a variety of products, I like to describe it as a Southern Living, Pampered Chef and Tastefully Simple all thrown together at a reasonable price. So take a look and tell me what you think! My kick off / open house will be on Tuesday, May 22 let me know if you are interested!

What's For Dinner?

I don't know about you, but I'm always wondering what to have for dinner. I have found some great recipes in the Simple & Delicious and Kraft Food magazines. Here are two of my new favorites that I have recently tried:

Sweet Citrus Chicken:

1 2/3 cups hot water

1 6oz. package of chicken stuffing mix

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 1/2 lbs.), pounded to 1/2" thickness

2/3 cup orange juice

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 400 deg. Add hot water to stuffing mix: stir just until moistened. Set aside.

Place chicken in 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Mix juice, sugar, and butter until well blended; pour over chicken. Top with prepared stuffing.

Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Serves 6

Orange - Glazed Pork Chops:

1/2 cup orange marmalade

2 Tbsp. orange juice

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

4 bone in pork loin chops (1/2" thick and 8 ounces each)

1 tsp. canola oil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

In a small bowl, combine the marmalade, orange juice, mustard, soysauce, garlic; set aside.

In a large skillet, brown pork chops in oilon both sides over medium-high heat: sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, uncovered 10 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 160 deg. Remove and keep warm.

Add marmalade mixture to the skillet: bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until thickened. Spoon over pork chops. Yields 4 servings!

I hope you enjoy these recipes!!

Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Bathing Beauties

My girls thought it would be fun to put on their swimsuits and eat lunch outside. They enjoy the warm weather as much as their Mommy does. However, did I mention the temperature is only in the 60's. They didn't seem to mind.