Sunday, January 24, 2010

Homemade Stuffed Shells

Sunday dinner. Sunday is pasta day. Today I went with stuffed shells. They came out really good. My kids don't like them, which stinks, but I can't always deny Robert and I of some yummy stuff. Amber ate the empty shells with sauce, and Alex had eaten at a birthday party. We have lots of leftovers. Anyway.....here's the recipe:

Make or buy your sauce-whatever you prefer. I make mine.

I'm sure you can get fresh shells somewhere, but I don't know where. I bought mine in the grocery store. Cook according to the directions on the box.

Stuffing:

3 cups of ricotta cheese
12 oz mozzarella
3/4 cup of Parmesan
3 eggs slightly beaten
1 to 1 1/2 tbs salt (depending on your taste)
2 tsp chopped parsley
3/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp pepper

mix.
stuff your shells. Coat your pan.

Put some sauce and mozzarella on top, and bake on 350 until their heated through, and the cheese melts.


I served them with garlic bread, and meatballs. Everything was delicious.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

New Thru 30-Small Group

I went to my first small group meeting this morning for new thru 30. We are reading through the New Testament in 30 days as a church, and 4 week small groups were offered to share the experience with other church members.

I have been having a hard time getting plugged into a small group that worked with my schedule. I LOVED my Wednesday night small group, and all of the ladies in it, and I still love running into them and squeezing them tight. It was just the day and time that didn't wind up working out for me. Then along comes this small group. Tuesday mornings at 10am.....AND I can bring my son! PERFECT!!! He has a play date, and I can go to small group without worrying if my husband has to work that night ( if I attended a night group), or if he just came off a 12 hour overnight shift and he won't be awake to watch Alex for me. Tuesdays are a free day for us, so we are in no rush.

I really enjoyed it. The women were great. It seems I will have a lot or have had a lot in common with them, and my friend Pat is in the group, and I didn't even know it! So that anxiety of walking in and not knowing anyone was gone in an instant! Once again...Perfect!

Even better, they said we are all welcome to join their regular weekly small group after the 4 week commitment is over, which is at the same time, same day, same scenario with my son. I couldn't have asked for a better fit. I'm so excited! Off to read the rest of Mark, James, and Galatians!!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

His Wife?

Every night, I pray over my kids. Amber, usually when she is asleep, but Alex LOVES to hear his "blessing" he calls it. I pray the same thing every night. "Lord please protect my son, give him direction early in life, speak clearly to him about what it is you want him to do here on earth, have him long to walk close to you, may he rise up to be a man of dignity and respect, with a good name. May he be a Godly husband, and bring him a good, Godly wife that will serve him and his family with pride Lord.."


And that is where he interrupts me every time. "You're going to be my wife Mommy".


He has asked me to marry him several times. I always tell him he can't marry his Mom, but he never stops asking. He is definitely 'in love' with me, and I am definitely his most favorite girl in the whole world, but he has yet to decipher the difference between love, and love.


I receive more compliments from my son than from anyone....ever...including my husband. As I nod off on the couch, when he wakes up from his nap, as I feel a little hand on my face, I hear a whisper....."Your so pretty Mommy". When I wake him up in the morning, his first words are..."I had a great dream about you Mommy, I kissed you four times".


I have to say that the statement holds true that a sons love for his mother is like nothing else. I'm going to soak it up while I can, before he falls in love with someone else one day....and then I'll kill her.



The Best Day of Her Life......

*****This is a re-post. One I will never get sick of. Whether you have seen it before, or if your looking at it for the first time, enjoy.




Roseann Louise Castertano marries Daniel Edward Corbett on January 13th, 1968 in Brooklyn, New York.



My Beautiful Mother.


My "Greaser" Daddy. Watch out Danny Zucco...


It's almost time.....



My Mother and my Nanny.


Do you see my father with the chair ready to hurt somebody?

Just Beautiful.....



This is funny because neither one of them would ever drink that drink....



Now that's a cake!!!


You may kiss the bride....

Thursday, January 7, 2010

The Snowflake

Robert gave me this necklace for Christmas. It's sterling silver, and I have received soooo many compliments on it. I've worn it almost every day since he put it on my neck. The necklace is beautiful, but what he said when he put it on my neck is the reason it's so special to me:

Snowflakes are all different.

No two are the same.

They are each unique and special in their own way.

They are beautiful, and not like any of the rest.

I'm thinking he was talking about me. What do you think?


Monday, January 4, 2010

It's Hard

When your children are small, you worry about things like....keeping them from getting hurt, making sure they stay at your side at all times when you are out, and teach them about strangers. You work on their listening skills, and manners. You make sure they are dressed appropriately for the weather, and you keep them safe to the very best of your ability.

As they get older, the worry gets...well....different. Watching your child's feeling get hurt is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. Now that Amber is in middle school, and we all know how mean little girls can be, I have been having to watch her go through some growing pains. without going into detail, I had to watch my baby girl cry on her bed yesterday because her feelings got hurt.

The hardest part for me is just letting it happen, and letting her go through it. I can't begin to admit to tell you the awful thoughts that ran through my mind all day yesterday. I have a simple motto that doesn't work in any way, shape, or form:

You hurt my kids, I hurt you.

Irrational? Yes. Unrealistic? Of course. It's not how my mind feels, it how my heart feels. I know I can't fight her battles, but I want to. I know I can't make the hurt go away by retaliating, but I want to. I know I can't beat up her Mom, because I can go to jail, and besides, the Mom isn't the one that hurt my daughter, but I want to. I know I can't pull a child's hair that's not mine, but I want to. (nor would I pull my own child's hair)

My husband tells me I have to let her grow, and experience these things on her own. And I suppose I will. With some duct tape and restraints. But I guess I have to do it.