Chris is official!!!

After a week of an intense selection process and sleep deprivation, Chris was selected to continue in his CA program. Woo-hoo! He surprised me and came home a day early as their leaders surprised them. Thank you! He was not too beat up and managed to get a good meal in him before crashing. They had a huge class and 71 were selected. He ranked very well among his peers and the leaders were very pleased. Go Chris!!! Language classes begin shortly and soon this house will be a multilengual home. Good things are in store and it appears we can maintain our residence in NC a lot longer than most military installations. Yea for stability, but sad nothing is closer to Dallas. Oh well. Congrats to Chris and here we go on our next journey!

Don't look for a job when you are pregnant...

So I thought it would be fun to pass the next 6 months or so by working. I found a two great opportunities to be an interim kindergarten teacher and a preschool assistant teacher. Unfortunately, my belly is preventing those opportunities from happening. hahaha! Oh well! Good news is I was able to interview easily and quickly in the school district and know that many opportunities will be available post baby when I decide to work again. Until then, Betty Crocker will be cooking and cleaning in NC. Go me!!! Oh, and if anyone needs anything monogrammed that home business is still up and running (slowly) if you need anything personalized for you or a gift!

NC

Well, we are pretty much settled in NC and enjoying the area. Needless to say, we have been busy with doc appts and more. We are thrilled to be having twins and will have more confirmation of their gender next week. Although we think we know what they are based on other us. Fun times are in store. We have met a lot of people and look forward to meeting more in our neighborhood. Thank goodness for younger folks in our neighborhood. A lot of military coming into this area so we are happy. On that note, Chris celebrated 13 years in the service today so we are going to celebrate. A little movie and dinner. We will post pics of the area and house soon. Until then we are staying cool to avoid the heat advisory out here. Darn humidity. Ughhh!

A Great Bible Verse

This week is an interesting week as we are waiting on news that may change our lives. A friend posted this verse on her wall and it spoke to me. Such true words to live by and believe!

journey.

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Texas Sheet Cake

*Borrowed from Taste of Home

Ingredients

1 cup butter, cubed
1 cup water
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream

ICING:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring butter, water and cocoa just to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt; add to cocoa mixture. Stir in the sour cream until smooth.

Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

In a saucepan, melt butter; add milk and cocoa. Bring to a boil.

Remove from the heat. Whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm cake. Cool completely on a wire rack. Yield: 15 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 piece) equals 361 calories, 8 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 23 mg cholesterol, 232 mg sodium, 71 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.

Hummus

- Chick Peas (2 cans rinse and drained)
- Lemon (1 lemon per can of chick peas)
*or lemon juice
- Garlic (1 clove per can)
- Tahini (1-2 T)
*this is a sesame seed paste...start sparingly and then add as see fit - this helps thicken hummus
- Water (add to create creamy texture)
*don't add to much as hummus may become to liquidy
- Salt/Pepper (add to taste)
- Olive Oil (a drizzle)

In a food processor, blend all ingredients. Add water to smooth out hummus. After you make the dip to your taste and put in a serving dish, sprinkle olive oil on top to keep it from drying out. You may garnish with cayenne or paprika for hot or smoky flavor.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

- 2 packages of cream cheese (fat free, light, or regular are fine)
- Ranch (1 cup)
- Frank's Hot Sauce (3/4 cup)
- Chicken in a can (drain)
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (1 bag)

Allow cream cheese to soften and spread in a baking dish. Add other ingredients and blend. Place in 350" oven for 20 minutes or until dip is hot all the way through. You may cover dip in the oven or leave uncovered. Serve with chips or wheat thins.