Lovin' My Husband

Yea! Judy has started a new meme! As she says, "In a world where people are always griping and complaining and the 'norm' for women's get-togethers seems to be to 'down' the husbands, we have taken the reins in an effort to do the opposite: BUILD UP THE MEN WE LOVE!"

So here I am to do just that...sharing about my dear hubby, Casinodad. If you'd like to participate, share about your husband: 3 ways you've been blessed by him, what makes you love him so, pictures, stories, anything! Then, go to Judy's meme blog to link up!

1) I'm lovin' that Casinodad works so hard for us so that I can stay home during the week w/ the munchkins.

2) I'm lovin' that he loves being a father...and he's a GREAT one!

3) I'm lovin' that we work together & help each other to grow in our faith. We listen to Catholic radio, read some of the same Catholic books, talk about what we've read or heard, & pray as a family in the evenings.

Your turn...what are you lovin' about your husband?

Friday's Fare - Chicken Enchiladas

This is a recipe from my sister years ago. It is a bit time consuming, but not hard & the results are delicious. It's also flexible in some of the ingredients (can use beef or pork if you prefer). Enjoy!

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 c. water
2-3 T. cornstarch
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 can (10 oz.) enchilada sauce, green chile or red (I prefer green, but both are good)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) shredded cheese (I use the Mexican blend, but any would work)
2 large chicken breast halves, cooked & diced OR 2 cans (8 oz.) chicken
1 pkg. (8-10/pkg.) tortillas
sour cream (optional)

Boil water, then add bouillon cubes. Once they are dissolved, pour into a med. saucepan with corn starch. Stir constantly until thickened. Add taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, 1/3 cheese, & all chicken. Heat 5 minutes. Heat tortillas until pliable. Lightly grease or spray 9x13 in pan. Fill each tortilla w/ about 2 T. chicken mix & some cheese. Roll up & place in pan. Top w/ remaining cheese & sauce. Bake uncovered @ 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Sour cream can be spread lightly on top before baking or dolloped when served.

Small Successes

Sherry, at Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) Made a shopping trip to Aldi in less than an hour, including the 15 minutes round trip driving. Granted, it wasn't a big trip, but it's amazing how quickly shopping goes when you're alone & don't have little ones begging for this & that!

2) While bagging my items, a lady made a comment on her way out about "people being rude & not letting others go ahead in line because they only had one item." I usually do that, but my mind was elsewhere & I didn't even think of it that time. My success...as I was going to the parking lot, I told her I knew her comment was directed at me & I apologized.

3)With Casinodad's (& The Archangel's) help, I finally got the storage containers out of the upstairs hallway & down to the crawlspace. They've only been in the hall for about 4 months or so!

Last Week's Goal...Front room storage (I did get about 3/4 of the school cabinet cleaned out...Hey, it's a start!)

This Week's Goal...Finish front room; also, our new kitchen appliances will be delivered next week, so I need to clean around the fridge & stove. Dare I admit...while I knew you could move the fridge & clean, I really didn't know that you could pull the stove out & clean behind it. After 10 years in this house, I'm VERY afraid of what I might find. Pray for me!!!

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful for The Saint's cuddliness (Hmm..is that even a word? LOL). Recently, he's snuggled onto my shoulder in the evening while I read to the rest of the munchkins & has fallen asleep there. Then in the morning, he likes to snuggle w/ me while he finishes waking up for the day.

2) I'm thankful for this book I found last spring while in Hocking Hills for my girls' weekend. I am now reading it aloud to the munchkins & they're enjoying it. It's called, "Andrew's Journey" by Wanda Diller Gilligan (an Ohio author). It's about an 8yr. boy who moves from Boston to Ohio in 1841 w/ his family. It's a great adventure, plus a lot of Ohio landmarks & history that ties in w/ our study of Ohio. I'll do a review of it soon.

3) I'm thankful for gas discounts. We built up 90 cents off per gallon at Giant Eagle, so I was able to get gas for the van yesterday for $2.59 a gallon instead of $3.49. So, w/ the savings I decided to get the van washed!

4) I'm thankful for The Saint staying in Mass the whole time on Sunday. Not only that...it was so sweet to see him participating by holding up his hands for the Our Father, keeping his hands clasped on the way to Communion, & kneeling to pray w/ us.

5) I'm thankful for Judy's new meme on Tuesdays, Lovin' My Husband (oops...which I missed yesterday). It's a great way to share w/ others how wonderful Casinodad is.