Taco Soup

2 Cans of Hominy, white or yellow
2 Cans of Pinto beans
2 Cans of Rotel tomatoes (diced with green chilies)
1 8 OZ. can of tomato sauce
1 Taco Seasoning packet
1 Ranch Dressing packet
1 onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 lb of ground beef or chicken/turkey

In a Dutch Oven, add onion, pepper, and meat. Brown slightly. By not browning all the way the meat will continue to cook slowly in the pot while it simmers. Making the meat more tender, not a chewy hunk of meat!
Add all remaining ingredients. Do not drain any of the cans. Do not add water to pot.
Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer about 35 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Soup is done when hominy is softer than before you put it in the pot.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese on top and tortilla chips to dip. YUM-O!

All alone......

Not really! Hubby has gone out of town to work this week. It's tough with him not being here. I love our time together. My mom came up and spent the night with me. Which has been really nice. I haven't had hardly any time with her like that since I lived at home. We've cooked and talked and of course laughed. I hope to have many more years like this one.

Peter is doing so well with potty training. We did have a set back over the weekend but we got through it. Sunday afternoon he told me he had to go poopoo!! And today as well!! I'm so happy for him, hubby and me.

Wendy is doing so well in school. She can write her name all by herself without looking at it anymore. And is starting to see words and spell them, of course then ask what it says. I can't believe my babies are growing up so fast. I wish there was some sort of Pause, Stop, Rewind button. Some days I want to have a Fast Forward button though!! Just kidding! I love my children at the season they are in now. I know 'this too shall pass'.

Our small group has been amazing. With Hubby working second shift we haven't been able to meet on Wed. nights. And everyone was willing to meet on Friday night to make it available for Hubby to be there (or here, we meet at our house). This Friday we are having a potluck dinner. YUM-O! My friend is making baked chicken. And whatever she cooks is always sooooooo good! This should help me with losing my five pounds that I gained over the holidays! (Not Really!)

Well, I will post more throughout the week. It's only Tuesday, a lot can happen in the remaining time!

READ IT!

I just finished the best fiction book I have ever read! It was well worth the time. It put God in a different light for me. I want everyone I know to read this book. It will change your view on everything you thought you knew. I was captivated by the main character's life and loss of hope. The Shack made me cry, laugh, pray and have more of a thankful heart for God and His love for all His children. A MUST READ!!!!

If you only read one book this year please make it this one. We are all taught that God loves us and some actually feel it. But for those who have had difficult times, it may be hard to think that God is there when time is dark. The author of this book makes it easy and interesting to trust, believe, and really know God is with us.

Poem

It sometimes very difficult
for us to understand
the wisdom and the love behind
the things that God has planned.

But we wouldn't have the rainbow
If we didn't have the rain;
We wouldn't know the pleasure
If we never tasted pain.

We wouldn't love the sunrise
If we hadn't felt the night;
And we wouldn't know our weakness
If we hadn't sensed God's might.

We couldn't have the springtime
or the yellow daffodil
if we hadn't experienced
the winter's frosty chill.

And though the brilliant sunshine
is something God has made.
He knew too much could parch our souls
so He created shade.

So God's given us a balance:
Enough joy to keep us glad,
Enough tears to keep us humble,
Enough good to balance bad.

And if you'll trust in Him you'll see
Though yesterday brought sorrow,
The clouds will part and dawn will bring
A happier tomorrow.

Authour Unknown

Still here

I haven't posted in a while. I wanted to let everyone know my baby is potty training so well. He has pooped in the potty for 6 days now!!!! Of course, pee pee too. We also started my woman's Bible study back yesterday. I love all the woman in my group and we were able to be real with one another and heal beyond any imagination. Thank God for His grace and love.

Hubby is working second shift again this week. Today was really nice despite I woke up with a horrible migraine, nausea and all. I felt better after taking some medicine. Which had caffeine in it so I then had lots of energy. I liked that!

Reading a really GREAT book right now! The Shack by William P. Young.

Well I'll post more later!

Prayer for Friends

A couple of friends of mine and Hubby's are getting a vasectomy reversal in February. After lots of prayer, thought and of course research, they have found a doctor who God lead them to and are very comfortable with. They have made the appointment. Two years to the day they had the first surgery. This is a chance for them to right the wrong that they admittedly did on an emotion. Their story is real in so many familes. You won't believe how many couples do this without thinking of the consequences and taking into thought what they have done. I know we met them at exactly the time we were contemplating getting one. Listening to her, tears in her eyes, telling the me the emotions they went through and still at the moment left me and Hubby not quite sure we would be making the right decision. You see, so many families that we know personally have done this and would recommend it to those seeking the information on a Vasectomy. For now, Hubby and I decided we are content with the two children the Lord has given us, but aren't shutting the door on God's plan for our lives.

To our friends: We love you so much. We will be praying for you as God takes you through this and teaches you that He is in control and knows what is best for you and your family. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. We know you are undeniably from God. He sent you, as angels, to teach others (us) along the way that He has the final say in our lives. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Everyone else that reads this blog. Please pray for our friends. Although this is exciting time for them it is also a little scary. The sugery is painful and they have to travel quite a distance to have the procedure done. With or without their three other children. Please pray for quick recovery and safe traveling.

Thanks to everyone!

Happy New Year!

I can not believe another year has passed. This year will bring so many things......1. I will have been a mom for 5 years! 2. I will be 24! 3. Hubby and I are close to paying off our car! 4. I've been a Christ Follower for 3 years! 5. Peter will be potty trained, soon! He pooped in the potty yesterday! And he has been telling me all day when he has had to go potty..........after a few drips though. It's still progress!!

New Year's Eve was nice. My sister came up to eat dinner with us. And Hubby's parents came to eat and stay the night and bring in the new year. We had Crab Stuffed Pasta Shells.....it was okay but the sauce was little spicy. I had a good time with my sister, I don't get to see her that often. We talked about her daughter and watch her cheerleading competition video. Man, my niece can cheer it, shake it, and dance someone right off the field! I guess she's the only reason they took 1st place in her age anyway! Well, atleast I believe that! I am so proud of her and my sister for how well she has done things on her own.

New Year's Day we ate breakfast, and I laid around in my jammies till 5 PM! I like days like that. We did take down all the Christmas decorations......tree and all. We did this extremely early this year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!