Lots to say......but don't feel like blogging.  Surgery went ok....feeling better today!!  The boys and I are getting a number of projects done around the house.  It sure is a good feeling. 

Teddy got groomed last week. 

Josh and I were walking in to the house after running errands this morning and decided that we should paint the trim out front.  LOL!!   It looks so much better.  I am so lucky to hve Josh to help me out with things.   Erik did a very good job with scraping and mowed the lawn.  We have had a productive day.   I took care of the side garden and planted my daisies that I bought a few weeks ago. 

Only 4 days of work this week and then I am off for a little over two weeks.   I tried to get some things done around the house this weekend to make my being laid up from surgery easier on hubby and kids.  Luckily the weekend of the surgery, Erik will be at his mom's and Josh is still on the mission trip.  So we only have Tommy at home and my parents are going to be there to help with him.  They are a life saver!   I can't be left alone for 24 hours following the surgery so hubby will be busy. 

Hubby is home today and is helping on running a few errands and laundry for me.  He is a good guy! 

I was hoping to take the kids to the movie on Sunday, but we didnt' make it.  We took our puppy to Pet Smart and the Vet.  Erik LOVES taking Teddy to Petsmart.  Erik gets alot of attention and people oooh and aaaah over Teddy.   Teddy got his first shots and we scheduled him for his first puppy grooming for Wednesday.   Luckily Erik's mom rescheduled and is taking him out on Tuesday evening so Erik will be happy to take Teddy to Pet Smart and get him groomed.  And we actually found a training treat that Teddy likes. 

After taking care of Teddy I went and got groceries for the week. 

I actually cooked supper last night.  We have been so crazy busy lately or I am working late that we haven't had a meal cooked by Mom!  So I tried a new casserole that both Erik and Tommy really liked.  The salad I have made before hubby and Tommy like it alot.  But Erik ate it, but was so-so on it! 

Chicken Divan

• 4 cups cooked chicken, cut up (from freezer)
  
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
  
• 1 cup mayonnaise
  
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  
• 1/2 tsp. curry powder
  
• 1 16 oz. pkg. frozen chopped broccoli, cooked
  
• 1 small bag Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix

Heat soup and cheese until melted. Remove from heat. Add mayonnaise, lemon juice, and curry. Mix well. In a 9x12 casserole dish layer all of broccoli, then all of chicken, then all of soup and cheese mixture. Cover with stuffing mix. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

   Chinese Cabbage Salad

• 1 head napa cabbage
  
• 1 bunch minced green onions
  
• 1/3 cup butter
  
• 2 (3 ounce) packages ramen noodles, broken
  
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  
• 1/2 cup white sugar
  
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  

Shred or chop the head of cabbage. Combine the green onions and cabbage in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt the butter in a pan. Mix the ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packets), sesame seeds and almonds into the pot with the melted butter. Spoon the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake the crunchies in a 350° F oven, turning often to make sure they do not burn. When they are browned remove them from the oven. In a small saucepan, heat vinegar, oil, sugar, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, let boil for 1 minute. Remove the pan from heat and let cool. Combine dressing, crunchies, and cabbage immediately before serving. I usually only combine what I think we will eat that meal and repeat the procedure each time we are going to eat the leftovers. Serve immediately.

 Menu for the Week:

SUNDAY - Chicken Divan and Chineese Salad

MONDAY - Taco Chilli

TUESDAY - French Dip Sandwiches - Corn on Cob

WEDNESDAY - Chicken Parmesan - Italian Green Breans - Salad

THURSDAY -  Black Bean and Beef Burritos (left over meat from Tuesday)
Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Salad

FRIDAY - Chicken Pita Pockets and Cole Slaw (left over meat from Wednesday)

SATURDAY - Hubby Ordering Pizza

YEAH..FRIDAY!!!  I have to work all day today as I have to go out on an crisis call thsi afternoon.   I jsut found out they did find an interpreter for me so that will make life nicer!  Then it is home to let the weekend begin!  

This morning my oldest son left for his mission trip to Challis Maine.   He came in and gave me a hug before he left.  Hubby was a great guy and took Josh to the church to get on the bus!   I had my pre-op physical at 8:20 this morning and am all ready for surgery on the 23rd now.  ARGH!!  After my physical I went home to let the puppy out.  Our neighbor Charlie is taking care of the puppy this week for us while Josh is gone.  

Tomorrow we are going to Charlie's Graduation Open House!   Should be fun!  

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

• Laundry


• Get everyone's shorts out


• Puppy to Dr


• Grad Party


• Order food for our grad party


• Spend time with hubby


• Plant my Daisies

Another neighbor said last night they will bring the mixed nuts and mints for Josh's party.  I have the best neighbors in the world!!   They will all help with set up too!

I will be having surgery on June 23rd.  Argh.....

Hello everyone!!   Thanks for all the lovely comments about Josh's graduation.  Very nice!  To answer a few of your questions, Josh will be attending a community college for the next two years and living at home.  Then he will be transferring to the University of MN to complete his 4 year degree.    His graduation Open House will beon July 8th.  So I have a bit of time to get things ready.  

I am very busy at work for the next two weeks.  Then from the 23rd on I will be taking time off.  I decided to have my kidney surgery before the Open House Party so I hope to schedule it sometime during the week of June 26th.  I will be off  from the 26th until the 11th of July.   During that time I hope to have surgery and get ready and have Josh's graduation party.   Should be a busy two weeks!

I am not making as much food as I had planned for Josh's party as I am unsure what I will be able to do or how I will feel following the surgery.   I confirmed the rental of tables and chairs and the canopy.  SO that is all ready to go.  

MENU for PARTY

Potato Salad (purchased)
Greek Pasta Salad (I am Making)
Wrap Tray (purchased)
Chicken Salad and Crossiants (donated by neighbor)
Veggie Tray (donated by neighbor)
Cookies/Bars (purchasing)
Cake (purchasing)

Pop
Water
Beer/Coolers

I have sent out 57 invites so far.  I have a few more to send yet.  I expect somewhere between 100 and 150 people to stop by. 

The last big project I have to do is the CD of Josh's life.  I need to scan a million of pics yet!!!  I hope to do alot of that this weekend!  

I am done with my lunch....gotta get back to work!   Later!

SATURDAY.....

My parents were visitng still on Saturday.  Mom and I spent the day running errands.  We got Josh's Open House Invitations printed,  looked for envelopes and bought Tommyu new shoes!   We grilled out for supper and ate pretty late.   We have been without a TV for a few days as ours stopped working.   Hubby, Josh and my Dad went out shopping for one.  They came home with surround sound and a DVD recorder, but no TV.  LOL!!!   I wasn't feel the greatest on Saturday night so everyone stayed up late to watch movie and I went to bed!

SUNDAY

I didn't feel great so I crashed on the couch a bit.  I made some lunch and then my mom and I went to buy some plants for my vegetable garden.  My mom, Tommy, Nick and I planted the garden.  My parents then headed home.  I didn't do much the rest of the evening.     Hubby went to pick up Erik.  He came home and was hungry so I made him supper.   Then headed to bed.

MONDAY

I got to sleep in a bit this morning.   I had a urologist appointment at 10:00.   I found out my kidney stone is too big to pass so I will need to have a procedure done soon.  I told the Dr I would like to wait until next month so I hope the stone cooperates with that.  I will be off work for about a week to recooperate.  I am so not happy about this.  

I mailed off 55 invites so far for Josh's open house.  I still have a few to mail.   I think I almost have the details of the food figured out.  I am only going to make the pasta salad.  My neighbor is dontating chicken salad.  My neice works at a bakery so I am going to try and get a cake, bars and cookies through her.  I am calling the grocery store to see if I can order a bunch of Josh's favorite potato salad.  And Kowalski's has a great wrap tray that I am going to order a few of!   The less I have to do the better!! 

Well I have alot of work to do so I better scoot.  Later!!!

Joshua James and His "Dads!"

Josh is lucky enough to have three "Dads", who all love him every much.   Ok, to explain this a bit.  First is Jim, my frist husband who I started dating when I was 3 months pregnant with Josh and Josh thinks of as his father.   Next Paul, my husband and has helped to raise Josh since he was 10.  Lastly, Karl, Josh's biological father.

Josh and his parents.  Josh with his biological parents.

Me and my Baby!

Josh and His "Karl" Dad. 

Charlie, Amy and Josh

Josh and his grandparents!

Josh and his "Jim" Dad. 

Josh and "Paul" Dad. 

Josh and his parents who have raised him.

Well tonight my children had a meal with vegetables and fruit.  Yep, that means Mom is back!!  The last 4 meals for them has been pizza and left or pizza...LOL!  As you can tell my hubby loves to cook.   Tonight my children had Tex-Mex Pasta Skillet (one of Erik's Fav), Sugar Snap Peas and Strawberries and Bananas(Tom's Fav).  They each now have a couple of clean outfits to go to school and more to get done....lots of laundry to actually get done with.

Now I am off to conquer a mongo pile of dishes.   When Mom is down things go a bit off schedule.  

Guess what???  My baby graduates from High School on Friday!!   It is so surreal for me.   I know I will cry and cry seeing him in his cap and gown.   I am so proud of who he has become...and to think, I was only 17 when I gave birth to that young man and I raised him alone for the most part.   He was and is such a blessing in my life.  Yes, we all know having a baby at such a young age, not such a good idea, but I wouldn't change any of it.   I am so reflective on my life recently since he is graduating and I am so happy everything turned out for he and I.  I don't often talk about this part of my life, but the #1 thing I learned and makes the difference in my opinion if you are a good teen parent or not is what are you willing to give up for your child??   Josh was my #1 priority.  He and I spent all our time together when I wasn't in school/college.   My parents were also very supportive but lived in a different state.  But I didn't go out party or any of that.  I didn't have others care for him except when I was in class.  Yep, I don't have great meories of friendship, etc from college, but I do of being Josh's mom!  That was my priority, I read stories and books with my little guy, went to the park and enjoyed being his Mom.   I know had I not gotten pregnant with Josh when I did my life would not have been like it is.  I would not have been so driven to succeed, but I was because I had to take care of him.   I love him so much!!!  He definitely was and is a blessing from God.         (SEE WHAT I meant about sentimental.....ARGH...yep, I am crying!!! ...Get used to some sappy junk.  It is my first baby graduating.....)

WATCH OUT - I have figured out how to add Video to my site!!!

I need to get some video of Erik with the puppy yet too.  He was at his mothers when we got the puppy.