Dip-Tacular!!!!!

I'm linked with another blog today that is sharing dip recipes.  I've made this one a couple of times and it's always a hit.

Chicken Enchilada Dip

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast cooked and shredded
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) jar mayonnaise
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
• 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced (optional)

Directions

1. Place shredded chicken in a medium bowl, and mix in cream cheese, mayonnaise, Cheddar cheese, green chile peppers and jalapeno pepper. Transfer the chicken mixture to a medium baking dish.
2. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
   
   Serve with tortilla chips.
   
   Make sure to check out the other links and great recipes : )

Coincidence? I think not.

In my previous post, I said something about a special gift God gave me in the EXCEL class I was taking.

When I figured out that I needed an EXCEL class, I went to the internet and found one at our Adult Education Center.  It started THAT NIGHT.  I wasn’t sure I could sign up that late, but I called anyway.  I was told it would be fine to register a few minutes before the class. 

While driving over I was thinking about what it was going to be like walking into a room of strangers by myself.  I would have no one there that knew me or knew about Peyton.  I don’t think I have experienced that before.  You don’t know how well you are going to get to know someone in a classroom setting.  Would we have a chance to talk?  Would questions be asked about family situations?  If I was asked about how many children I had, would it be a downer for everyone who heard my answer? 

God graced me with courage.  I went in and sat down in front of a computer.  A few other people came into the classroom and then a lady I had met at church a couple of years ago, came into the class and sat down right beside me.  She looked at me and thought she should know me, but couldn’t place my face.  She asked if she knew me and I said yes and explained how we knew each other.

So I wasn’t in a room with a bunch of strangers.  Someone knew me and knew my story.  I’m not to the point where I am okay with people not knowing about Peyton.  I know that as I make new friends, of course I will tell them about my son.  But for a casual acquaintance, I need to be okay with them not knowing.  I will get there someday, but I didn’t have to be there that night.  God is good like that.

Thanks for reading :)

Surgery, Shelves and Spreadsheets

Can I incorporated these three subjects into an easy to read and mildly entertaining blog post??  I’m willing to try :)

A couple of months ago, I had to go to the emergency room for a gall bladder attack.  Let me tell you, it was not pleasant AT ALL.  I had a couple of tests run and they determined my gall bladder was not functioning very well, thus the cause of the pain.  I had it removed (SURGERY).  While recovering at home, I thought I would get all kinds of amazing & organizational chores done.  Not so much.  

My dear husband built some shelving in the extra bedroom closet, because I just knew I could get all the Christmas decorations organized while I was off.  I am sitting in the extra bedroom right now with all sorts of holiday trimmings surrounding me.  I have started putting things on the SHELVES, maybe I’ll finish tomorrow :)

I had been given a project at work that involved SPREADSHEETS; EXCEL to be specific.  I was holding my own and completing the project in a timely manner, but I knew I could be doing better.  So, I checked out our Adult Education Center and signed up for a Beginners EXCEL class.  I’m halfway through the class and will take the next class for the Intermediate level.  

A couple of things I have learned during these times:

1.  I am not a super woman.  I had to let go of my self imposed timeline of recovering from surgery and getting things organized. 

2.  God provides me with what I need. 

He provided an excellent surgeon.

I needed a class; He provided the class THAT NIGHT and the funds to pay for it. 

I need His Grace to take this class.  It starts right after work and lasts for 3 hours.  I would rather be at home.  My body would rather be sitting on the couch, not in an office chair for 3 additional hours.

Well there it is, a blog post about three totally unrelated subjects :)  I have more to tell about the EXCEL class.  God gave me a special gift, but that is for another post

Thanks for reading :)

'The Help' Trailer HD

I've read the book twice and saw the movie this past weekend. I recommend!!! Hope you enjoy : )



Thanks for reading : )

Did He or Didn’t He?………………… oh, He Did

Several months ago, I said I would tell some stories about Peyton that were not so positive, so you could get a well rounded picture of who he was.  Well here goes.

Peyton was a young 15 year old when he did this. 

I woke up from a sound sleep because the dog was barking.  Dusty slept with Peyton, so I knew something was up.  I went to Peyton’s room and he was not there.  It was around midnight.  I was furious.  I went around the house and locked every door and window.  He wasn’t getting back in the house without me knowing.  Of course I could not go back to sleep.  I kept wondering who he was with.  He wasn’t old enough to drive and neither were any of his friends. 

About 45 minutes passed, Tom & I were discussing what we were going to do. I went back to his room.  I could see a wet footprint where he had tried to get back through his window.  I called him on his cell, “where are you?” 

“In the ‘63.” he said. (that was Tom’s old pick-up)

“Get in here.”

I opened the front door and there he was wearing only his boxers.  I asked him what he was doing and he told me he had been out by the pond thinking.  He couldn’t sleep.  He hadn’t been acting like himself for most of the day.  I thought he was having girl troubles, so it would be perfectly understandable for him not being able to sleep.

This thought flitted through my mind, “Is he smart enough to strip down to his boxers to make this story believable?”  I told myself, “Becky, you are too hard on him; let it go.” 

Peyton & I were talking after he got back in bed.  I told him he knew what he did was wrong, or he wouldn’t have gone out the window, etc., etc. and I let the whole thing drop.

After Peyton moved to Heaven, I found out he really did sneak out with some friends (that were not old enough to drive).  Yes, he was smart enough to strip down to his boxers and hide his clothing.  I don’t know why I brushed that thought away.  Maybe he needed to get away with something; I don’t know.

There were times when I felt Peyton was only a half a step behind me and gaining ground all the time.  I thank God for the wisdom He gave me to raise a son like Peyton.  It was a challenge and a joy.  There was never a dull moment and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Thanks for reading : )

Simply Funny Misunderstanding

I hope this reads funny, cause it cracked me up.  A bedtime conversation with my husband.

Tom:  The stove clock was blinking this morning.

Me:  WHY DIDN’T YOU FIX IT?? (not yelling, but annoyed)

Tom:  I did. (in a hurt tone)

Me:  Oh, well so did I.  The electricity must have flickered again after you left.

I totally cracked up.  I’m laughing again now.  It was such a silly thing, but I couldn’t believe he didn’t fix it and he couldn’t believe I thought he didn’t fix it.

Then I’m lying there thinking about blogging it and he turns and says, “You’re going to put this on the blog, aren’t you?”  I just laughed a little harder.

Thanks for reading : )

Growth & Change

Our surrogate children are growing up.  Another batch of graduates is heading off to college.   This one is changing colleges and will be an hour away.  Not very far, but it will be different.  He won’t be stopping by as often.  We’ve promised to visit him and buy his dinner once in awhile.  We love him like our own.

My cousins who live next door are BOTH moving off to college this year, an hour away.  I am going to miss them so much.

I know there is more to my missing them than just the fact I will be seeing them all less.  They carry a piece of Peyton with them and when they come to our home, he is there too.  Even more than that, each of them lets Tom & I be parents to some extent and that has helped us.

It is hard having a son in Heaven who doesn’t need you, but in your mind he is forever 16.  I love being his mom.

Change is inevitable.  It is the way things are supposed to be and is expected.  I remind myself of this on a regular basis.  I actually like change.  I enjoy trying new things and taking on different responsibilities. 

I ask God to help me strike a balance between remembering my son and pressing on toward the future.  I am praying that I will not miss anything God has for my life because I am holding on to the past.  I know God has exciting things for Tom and I to accomplish.  He loves us so much. 

Thanks for reading :)