It's All Good

We started week 2 of school with a bang...the power was off at school. They told the parents to take their kids back home, then they got the power back on...then off, then on again to stay. The air in the gym is messed up and it was causing the power to go out. No air in a gym...a stinky situation! Even though we had a weird start today, it's all good.

Frank, Jacob, and Paige all started school at SCA this week. Frank was on cloud 9, Paige was pumped up about being the go to girl for water for the teacher, and Jacob said he's the prettiest one in his class...so it's all good.

Frank started dinner by putting a roast in the crockpot this morning, and I cooked the rest when I got home. Roast, mashed potatoes, field peas, and a buttermilk pie. And yeah, it's all good!

Yuuuummmm!

(At least I hope it will be.) I made enchiladas and salsa that is supposed to taste like Chili's salsa for dinner. We won't be eating until we get home from church, so I don't know yet if it's good. Well, I do know the salsa is good ;o) I got the recipes from one of my favorite blogs, Kelly's Korner. I made her artichoke chicken, and it is divine! Here are the recipes for your own culinary enjoyment.

Beef Enchiladas

1 lb hamburger meat
1 small onion, chopped
1 can of chopped black olives
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of Enchilada sauce
8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese
6-8 flour tortillas

Brown the meat and saute the onions in with it. Once that is done, add in the olives and let it heat and then add in 3/4 of the cheese and let it melt - mix it all together. Fill tortillas with the meat mixture and roll up. Combine the mushroom soup and enchilada sauce and pour on top. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

CHILI'S SALSA

1 (14 1/2 oz.) can tomatoes and green chilies
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can whole canned tomatoes (plus the juice)
4 teaspoons jalapenos (canned, diced, not pickled)
1/4 cup yellow onion (diced)
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon sugar

and this is not on the recipe but we (Kelly) add: 1/4 teaspoon cilantro and juice from 1/2 lime

1. In food processor place jalapenos (optional) and onion and process for just a few seconds.
2. Add both cans of tomatoes, salt, sugar, cumin,cilantro and lime juice.
3. Process all ingredients until well blended but do not puree.
4. Place in covered container and chill.
5. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips!

The First Week of School

For the first time in a long, I actually enjoyed my job this week! I really dreaded going back to work, but now that I'm there, it's actually been pretty great! I have a different type of kids this year, and WOW! I forgot that there were kids like this left in public schools. They are smart and funny and actually love school. I know that it's still the honeymoon stage, and there will be tough days ahead, but I haven't felt this positive about what I do in a long time. I have a great student teacher who is a huge help. I'm not very good at delegating things, but we work really well together. (I hope she feels the same way!) I meet her advisor Monday morning. (I hope she feels the same way too!)

The rest of my family starts school Monday. All three of them, going to school together, like I used to do with them. I'm jealous of that. I used to be the one who knew what was going on with their school lives, and Frank was the one on the outside looking in, and all that changed when they changed schools, and he became their ride. Now, it is officially the opposite, because he will be working there too! It's a really neat bond to have with your kids, and I miss it. I officially met Paige's teacher Thursday night, and I am quite certain she thinks I am the meanest mother ever. Paige had already been there several hours and was VERY HYPER, so I was aggravated with her behavior and wanted her to be quiet and sweet and not bossy and loud. The only things I could think to say to her teacher was about her negative traits, so she has to be thinking "What have I gotten myself into? If the kid isn't crazy, the mother sure is!" Sure wish I could take that first impression back. If any of you reading this want to, you have my permission to tell Mrs. Thomas that Paige is actually a pretty good kid, and her mother is not always a psycho. (OK, I won't ask you to lie, just tell her Paige is a pretty good kid!)

Monday, Monday

Monday, I officially go back to work. I went in last Monday to prepare, and then had two official days of preplanning, with Open House Wednesday morning. I'm not ready for this year to start, and am not ready for this summer to end. I tried to make the most of my furlough days. I did next to nothing Thursday, and going out to dinner with good friends, but no children. Friday we did some back to school shopping for Frank and Paige. We watched Pride and Prejudice then went to Andy and Becky's Fri night to hold the babies and eat pizza. Saturday, we visited the Stewart family and held precious Brayden for a little while, then had a surprise sweet sixteen party for sweet Becky M. Tomorrow is church, and I get my 2 and 3 year olds back for Sunday School. I need to get my nails done and I would like to do some clothes shopping for myself. I have to do lesson plans and figure out if I remember how to teach or not. (I'm starting to worry) It's going to be a busy day, and I know there are not enough hours to get it all in...wonder if I can call in sick Monday morning?