Photo Hunt...PROTECTION...

This is a weekly meme called PhotoHunt...

This week the theme is PROTECT(ION).

Here's a couple cute pictures I took this morning, but more will follow!

If you want to play along, the key is in my side bar.

Little Marco is not fond of this gate, but we love it!

Our fearless protector, Oso. =]

Even Naomi feels safe with him around!

As promised, here are a few more pictures. Many of you long time readers know that my Hannah had another pug named Chowder. Sadly, he got sick with parvo and passed away. =[ Not too long ago, she got a new pug. She is VERY protective of her (Panini) and wants to try and make sure that nothing will harm her. =]


Here she is giving Panini her first treat and new collar.

Friday Fill Ins... and a praise!

Aren't these lovely? I bought these at Trader Joe's and they were all closed - I love watching them bloom "before our eyes".

Getting back in the swing of things here. Here are my Friday Fil Ins. My words in bold.

1. Apparently there's some sort of promotion at Chick Fil A this week. They are giving away free breakfast EVERY day. No purchase necessary - one per person. The school kids are loving it!

2. I love a sunny day, but really love it if it's not super hot.

3. I've been trying to focus more in 2009 and so far, I have been able to do so. I've blogged about it a few times, but I am FOCUSING more on my spiritual, physical, and mental self. I am FOCUSING more on being organized, because that always leads me to being more creative...it's a good thing!

4. What was the name of that lady? Oh, yes. Susan Boyle - that was it. She reminded me how much I love the music from Les Miserables.

5. For too long, I've been worried about what others think and it's high time that I do and be what I know to be right for me. I believe that if I feel that God would accept me the way I am, why should I care about anyone else?

6. I am not obsessed with Facebook or Blogging; I am not! =]

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting together with some great friends, tomorrow my plans include spending the day with my family and Sunday, I want to pray and worship with my awesome church family!

I also have a praise that I wanted to share with all of my bloggy friends.
Many of you have been sending up good thoughts and praying for my former student, Michael Chandler. After being in the hospital with heart failure and later pneumonia for almost two months, he is HOME! We are talking about someone who the doctors thought would not be alive today!! Yesterday, he stopped by the school where I teach to thank the students and staff who have been praying for him.
He is still a bit weak and shaky, his voice sounds horrible because of the ventilator and tuves that have been down his throat and he's lost a lot of weight. However, his spirits were up and he is alive! Praise God.
He is having trouble absorbing potassium, which apparently, is very important for his heart. Here is the picture of his visit yesterday:

Rock Buddies!!! You know you want one!

Look at that adorable pendant! These little rock buddies come as a pendant or just as a "pet". Each one comes to your home with his/her own personal story. Great unique gift. You can probably even ask for special colors or themes I bet. =]

Head to Etsy and check them out. Here's the link: Rock Buddie

Wordless Wednesday: Summer or Spring?

Photo Hunt...PURPLE...

This was supposed to be posted on Saturday, but I had some trouble with the Uploader... Here's my favorite take on the purple assignment. =]

I think I will start posting more than one starting next week.

Check out the Photo Hunter button in my sidebar.

My version of the CPK Lettuce Wraps...

So, as some of you know...I've been trying to lose some weight, get in shape, get healthy...you get the idea. Well, I've never been able to go to Weight Watchers or anything like that where you learn to count calories, points...whatever.
The only thing I understand is low-carb. Now before any of you start screaming...don't worry. I am not stuffing my gob with high fat meats and cheese and Diet Coke.
I occasionally eat salad, too. LOL Just kidding.
Anyway, here is a meal that I came up with that reminds me of the lettuce wraps at California Pizza Kitchen. Have you ever tried those?? Yum!
So, here's what I did to throw this together.
4 - Boneless skinless chicken breast
1 - Handful of shredded carrots
2 - Small cans of water chestnuts (chopped)
1 - Chopped Red bell pepper (mostly because I had it and for color)
1 - Tablespoon of fresh, minced garlic
2 - Tablespoons toasted sesame seed
3 - Heads of endive (red or yellow...I used both)
Sesame Seed Oil
Light Sodium Soy Sauce
Rice wine vinegar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Okay, so I just eye-balled all of this and made it up as I went, but you'll figure it out.
Cut up the chicken breast into thin strips.
Add minced garlic - keep it moving...you don't want to burn garlic. Yuck!
Sautee in olive oil
Add carrots. Cook until slightly tender.
Remove and when cool enough - chop into very small pieces (I used the Pampered Chef chopper)
Return it to the pan and add bell pepper and water chestnuts.
Continue to sautee. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar to taste.
Turn off heat, cover and let sit for about 5 minutes.
Add toasted sesame seeds as a garnish.
Serve in a bowl with separated endive leaves (or you could use the small leaves of a romaine lettuce)
Enjoy!
Even my kids loved this!!

April 12 of 12~ Happy Resurrection Day!

All the baskets left for the bunny to hide. Hope he's strong! They are packed full! =]

Beautiful Easter morning!

Marco stayed up so late preparing for church, Easter stuff for the kids, etc...yet he was still up early enough to make the coffee. Love him!

Oso got an Easter treat too! The ham bone from Easter dinner the night before. I gave it to him this a.m. and he went right to work on it! =]

My 4 kiddos all dressed and ready to go to church.

The two men in my life. Little Marco is enjoying a Mexican sweet bread called "concha". It resembles a sea shell and that's what it means.

Now he's eating beans with crema (served with fried platano, but he didn't want that) and fruit. We had a wonderful church service. Highest attendance we've ever had, I think. It was expected to be crowded because it was Easter services, but wow! Great day with worship, music, friends and fellowship.

My Taryn used all of her money to buy her sister Hannah the Deluxe Edition of Twilight. She's so generous. Of course, we all had to watch it this afternoon. I fell asleep though. Nothing like a good Sunday nap. =]

Alma brought in the most beautiful centerpiece for the Lord's Supper table. I am not sure what this flower is...Chrysanthemum maybe? I just had a flashback of Anne of Green Gables spelling that. LOL There were pink ones, blue, lavendar...I think they were all died with colored water though. Anyway, it was very nice!

Another arrangement by Alma. That's me peeking out from the top.

This is my dear, sweet friend Lorany. She is due with her first baby any day now. We are all excited about Joshua's arrival.

My oldest baby and I at the end of a long, but blessed day!

Well, there you go. Awesome day. We love to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection, but we like to remember all He's done for us on a daily level. He became man on earth to not only die for us and pay for our sins, but to live and feel and be able to empathize with us. He taught us all how to live. Full of love, compassion and mercy. Thanks be to God!

To see other 12 of 12, you can go to Susan's Blog!