Cheesy Chicken Simmer

Good Tuesday morning!

I have two more Thanksgiving #1 pics in the Gallery today, along with two JSU pics from Saturday. I'm having to spread them out because Austin took my camera to JSU for the Band Banquet last night, and I knew I wouldn't be able to add anything new and exciting to the Gallery... not that anything new and exciting happened yesterday. In fact, I had to take Belinda's Project 365 picture for yesterday at 6:00 a.m. while Roxie was still sleeping (and before Austin left for school). The Boy is getting his new camera this weekend, or else!

We're looking forward to going to the movies tonight with the whole gang. Austin is coming in this afternoon, and as soon as Mikie is finished at work, we're sharing a huge tub of popcorn and drinking $4 sodas. Ah! You can't put a price on family time... but if you did it would come out to about $100 just to go to a movie! But I digress. We're looking forward to a fun evening.

Special Guest Hints

Today through next Monday I'll be giving you one or two hints about our December Special Guest. There will be no prize, but if you want to venture a guess, feel free!

1. She is the wife of one, and mother of two. Both of the "two" are teenagers.

2. The longer I've known her, the more I've realized she is related to everyone in our fair city. (Code for DON'T SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT ANYONE IN FRONT OF HER... SHE'S PROBABLY THEIR COUSIN!)

Guesses anyone? I'll have some more tomorrow, and we'll start to narrow this down a little.

Austin Update - Austin attended his first JSU Band Banquet tonight. No parents attended. In fact, food didn't make an appearance either. When he called tonight to tell us about his evening, he said he was on his way to eat with three buddies. "Why didn't you eat at the banquet?" I asked.

"Well, it wasn't so much banquet-type food as bowls of assorted hard candy on each table."

College is just so different, isn't it?

But he did have good news. He was awarded Outstanding Member of his section AND Rookie of the Year for his section. He tried out for Section Leader, but that honor went to a Sophomore and Junior.

I know what you're thinking. It doesn't make sense, does it? I mean, what were the "powers that be" thinking giving Section Leader to two other students. The very idea. It's a good thing I wasn't at the banquet... chewing on hard candy... hungry and mean. I might have made a scene.

If I was 13 years-old and texting right now, I would be typing LOL and JK like crazy. So please know I am most certainly joking about the above.

We're thrilled for Austin, excited about his next year with the Southerners, and happy for the two boys who are now Section Leaders for the baritones. It has been a good season.

And tomorrow he comes home for five days in a row. Life is good.

Topic of the Week - Thanksgiving

The Topic of the Week is kind of no-brainer I guess, but I wanted to talk about something that came to my attention a little over a month ago. It bothered me greatly then, and it's not much better now. Perhaps you can relate... or maybe I'm the only person in the entire universe who has ever felt this way.

During the time Josh became ill, I honestly didn't ask the question, "Why us? Why our family?" I really didn't. I didn't expect to go my entire life without hardships or grief or sadness. Mike and I had even talked about how we had never experienced a tragedy or illness or traveled through a valley during our Christian walk. We were both 42 when tragedy struck our family, 44 when Josh became ill and 45 when I began having ongoing panic attacks. As I said, I didn't question WHY it was happening to us, but I did feel totally unprepared to deal with any of the things which were occurring.

Last December was the first time in three years I could look back and see God's very physical presence during our time in the valley. And since last December, I have seen more and more of the positives that have come about since December 5, 2005.

And I am thankful for so many things... some of which I will talk about tomorrow. But what bothers me today is not knowing if I would have been grateful and thankful for God's presence in my life if Josh had not improved over the last four years. Would I be able to see some good in every day if Josh had stayed exactly the same? Would I be willing to reach out to others and try to help them if Josh had gotten worse and worse? Would I have become more bitter and unhappy and joyless as time went on?

I don't know. I truly don't know. So many people have been through so much more than our family has experienced. At 48, I know Mike and I have many more difficult times ahead. My hope and prayer is the next valley I walk through I will do a much better job.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.

I know I've quoted that verse before, but I know the next hardship I come across in my life I need to not only have this verse in my "head," but in my "heart" as well.

And I pray that for you, too.

Cheesy Chicken Simmer

I asked Amy Patillo, a Sunday School and Facebook friend, to share a recipe with us today. I could tell from Amy's posts on Facebook she is a cook, and I had a feeling she would have something good to contribute. She describes this particular dish as "easy and fairly healthy." Two very good adjectives for a family meal!

You will need:

1 1/2 pounds chicken breast (or tenders)
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 to 3 cups broccoli florets
1 can cream of chicken soup (10 3/4 ounce)
8 ounces Velveeta
2 cups cooked Minute Rice

1. Heat oil in large skillet on medium and add chicken. Cook 4 minutes on each side.

2. Add broccoli. Stir.

3. Cut Velveeta into small slices and place over mixture.

4. Pour chicken soup over mixture and stir together until mixed well and melted.

5. Simmer on low 5 more minutes after melted well and serve over rice.

She's right. "Easy" and "healthy." And a whole meal cooked together! What more could you ask? Thanks, Amy. I may call on you again in the near future.

Have a fun and safe Tuesday. I am loving sleeping late! It will be hard to go back to school next week. As usual, tomorrow we'll have Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, a few more hints about our Special Guest and a little more "thankfulness" to share for the Topic of the Week. Stop by if you get a minute.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda