Reviewing Last Week

Last week ended up being SO much busier than I had planned, but even so I accomplished everything I set out to do.

On Tuesday a good friend from Germany came for a little visit and brought her children. It was heartwarming to see our kids playing in the lake together and God always amazes me when my girlfriends and I get together after being parted. We were able to pick up where we left off and fill each other in on all the family and Germany news.

The same night my family got a surprise visit from my mom, step-dad and niece. They were flying home to AZ from Canada and got bumped in DC. -oh the joy of being a SWA employee- I'm so very glad that we live by a SWA hub because they caught the next flight to Norfolk and stayed for the night. It was a quick but wonderful visit.

On Wednesday Jeff had his class over for a BB-Q. It was nice to see his students and their families. We do this for each class. So every three months a new group troops in and spends a few hours playing in the lake and eating. Jeff teaches a military course at the local Staff College. They are all adults but some of them bring their spouses and children. It's great to meet them and play with their kids.

I accomplished all of my work goals last week, including sending out 5 queries.

I have received one pass and on Saturday I had a request for a partial! Yeah! I should find out within the next 3 to 6 weeks if this agent would like to represent me.

My WIP got a few hours out of me. I'm still doing research and playing around with the plot. It's coming together, slower than my other works but this one is such a work of heart, and those take time. Yeah!

My SINC group loved the Web site I put together for them. I am putting on all of our member info and will share it when I am finished.

I worked out all but Wednesday when I had a deep tissue massage that had me sore and in pain. But I did work out every other day last week. I am starting to feel more like my old self who was in GREAT shape. -before my back injuries and laziness hit! I'm not quite there yet but it is happening.

This week is full of FUN and friends. No work allowed! -besides this post-
My best friend's husband is retiring from a prestigious Military career. Which includes a few deployments, command time and he has been working at the White House for the last five years. When you retire from The White House they throw you a HUGE retirement party and we have been invited! I can't tell you how proud we are of him and his service to our country. We plan to PARTY with him and his family.
I hope to snap some photos to show you next week.

Please keep my aunt Becki and friend Kate McRae in your prayers. They are battling cancer and the fight is far from over. Both start treatment this week and we are praying for healing and strength.

Thanks for visiting me and I look forward to hearing about your week and the goals you accomplished.

Mmmm... Curry Chicken

I can't tell you how happy I am when I have made a meal my entire family likes.



Tonight it was Curry Chicken.

My recipe is a mixture of a few other recipes that I have found.

Marinade
2 Tbs. red curry paste
1 can coconut milk
2 Tbs olive oil
2 limes
1 pinch salt
1 pinch pepper
2 Tbs cilantro- I use dried for the marinade because it does not turn black.
5 chicken breasts cut into bite size chunks

Mix the above and marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours. -I like to mix it all in the morning and let it sit until dinner time.

1 can bamboo shoots
1 can water chestnuts
2 Tbs. sesame oil
1 can coconut milk
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 Tbs red curry paste

Chop the shoots and chestnuts into smallish pieces. -I use my food processor.
Brown them in the oil and then set them aside.
Add more oil to the pan.
Using a slotted spoon, remove half the chicken from the marinade and cook on medium until just barely cooked.
Remove onto a serving plate and set aside.
Cook the remainder of the chicken the same way and when barely done place it in the microwave to keep warm.
Add the marinade to the pan and boil down a bit.
Add the chopped shoots and chestnuts.
Add the second can of coconut milk.
Add curry paste (not needed if you like less spicy curry)and allow to boil down until thick.
(I have had this with mini corn, peas and other veggies. Add what you like after you remove the chicken. Allow it to cook in the marinade.)

Pour the marinade over the chicken and sprinkle the cilantro on top.

I like to serve with Romaine lettuce leaves and sticky rice. I place the rice on the leaves and spoon the chicken and sauce over it all. Then I roll the lettuce up and enjoy.

Enjoy! Tell me if you make it and how it turns out.

The Week Ahead...

This week will be a busy one! I have posted my writing goals over at my Quips & Quotes blog.

On the Home front there are MANY things going on.

~Josh starts football practice this week! He is psyched and so are we. I am a little concerned about him getting hurt, but know that I couldn't hold him back if I tried.

~A girlfriend from Germany is coming over for a visit tomorrow. I can't wait! We have not seen her and her children in over 18 months. ~update and photos will be posted on Wed.

~We are throwing another class BBQ this Wed. Jeff just loves having his classes over and I enjoy meeting all his students and their families.

~My girlfriend's little girl Kate will be having a few procedures this week. Please keep them in your prayers and thoughts. Holly is in great need of strength and peace so she can pass them on to little Kate. You can follow their progress on www.prayforkate.com

Fifteen Years ago Today...

My beautiful Marie was born.

I will never forget the difficulties surrounding us while I was pregnant with her. We went into labor over 2 1/2 months early and fought daily to keep her inside my womb. The Dr's tried med after med and they would work for a little while then stop.

When my body could hold her no longer the fears of delivering a preemie 5 1/2 weeks early hit full force. I was not able to be moved to a hospital with preemie care and if Marie had problems they would have to rush her to a local German hospital which did not have a NICU either, but had better care than the little ARMY hospital I was in.

The delivery went well, but when she came out I was able to see her for only a few minutes before they whisked her away from me and put her under oxygen. I remember watching the nurses and Doctors working on her, shaking her and me begging God to make her strong. The cheers when she she started breathing well and her color improved are memories I will always cherish! Her screaming cries were a blessing to my ears. God is so good.


Fifteen years later it is hard to believe how fast time has gone. She is such a beautiful person inside and out. She loves Jesus and is seeking His will in her life. At the moment she is preparing for a career as a Pediatric Surgeon. She is taking courses for High school students that the local Medical College gives. She amazes us as she walks up to a cadaver, picks up a heart and calmly points out the different parts! Yup, that's Marie! Strong and determined.
She loves kids and is fun to be around. She is fought over by neighbors she babysits for because she is that good with kids. I'm told by many that she is a good friend.

Marie, I am so thankful you are in my life. Being your mother has taught me so much. You and your brother will always be the best gifts your father and I have been blessed with.

I can't wait to see how the next 15 years will shape you.

Love you sweetie!

A Few Updates

Hi All, Sorry I have not posted lately. Some weeks just seem to rush by!

Have you ever felt like you are constantly putting out fires? Some weeks -like this past week- I get singed!

My aunt is recouping nicely. There are many hurdles for her to jump in recovery. The surgery was a miracle all in it's own. The info can be found on the right side under the Maniac4Missions blog. Please keep her in your prayers.

Little Kate McRae is healing but still has a very long road to travel. The Dr's were only able to remove 50% of the brain tumor. It is the aggressive malignant type and the future is unknown at the moment. She is still having difficulties moving her right side and words are not easily obtained. Please follow her progress on www.PrayforKate.com

For those of you who know about the trial we are involved in, it is on hold until Aug 31st. The state of Virginia has decided to prosecute a man who verbally assaulted my child. It is so interesting how this man keeps getting his way. He is out on bail AND now the trial is continued. I know God is attempting to teach us patience and more, but we had placed our lives on PAUSE waiting for this to be over and the continuance really threw me for a loop. I am being reminded daily that I have no control over this.

With all of the above I just want to throw my hands in the air and cry for Mercy. It makes me wonder if that is part of the lesson I'm supposed to learn through these trials. I am unable to handle this alone, but God has provided His peace, friends and loved ones to help. I cherish you more than you can imagine.

Thank You to those who are praying for the above issues. In a few months or years I know we will look back and see the hand of God through it all. I am praying that I can get out of the way and just allow God to work.

Please Continue to Pray!

Kate is out of surgery but things aren't looking good. She has not moved her right side and needs our prayer!
They are talking about taking her into another MRI ASAP.

Updates can be found here

Her parents are asking for your prayers. See them here

I just found out that even Dr. Phil has requested prayer for her and the McRae family. Amazing how the prayer net is growing in leaps and bounds!

Mercy...

God, Today we are begging for your mercy.

Not for ourselves but for a wonderful little girl named Kate.

Lord, she is only 5 and I know you know her well.

She sings beautiful songs to you daily and her smile holds all the promise of a child's faith.

Her mother and father dedicated her to you as an infant; knowing that You are the great Father who loves her more than any human.

Please have mercy on her now. The Doctors have said the tumor in her brain is malignant and aggressive.

Lord, really? Malignant, aggressive- in your child? In Kate?

Please touch her with your healing power. Remove this horrible growth and make her whole again.

We ask you to show the thousands praying for her your power. We believe you still preform Miracles. Lord we're waiting. Lord we're watching. Lord we are gathered and know you are here.

Be with her parents, sister and brother. Grant them your peace that passes all understanding.

Lord please heal Kate. Grant her your mercy.