Ready or Not, Here We Go!!!!!

Brian reports to Basic Training - February 4th, 2008 at

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for 9 weeks.

Then he flys to...

Goodfellow Airforce Base in Texas for 13 weeks and 1 day of extensive Fire Fighter training . Below is a link to read about his training - intense is all I can say.

http://www.goodfellow.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123037221

I have had alot of hard things to overcome as a mother - this was the hardest by far. As for Brian - his dreams are coming true. We love him and pray for his success, safety, and well being. You go Brian - You Go!!!!

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Miracle For The Day

When Brian signed up he was told that there was no room for him in the Fire Fighting Training Course. They only take 6 per year and it was full. The computer declined his request. A phone call was made but still no results. Then someone dropped out at the last minute.

He was in. A dream, an answered prayer, and a miracle.

I Really Want to Get Juicy!

I am in love, with a new perfume that is. Juicy Couture! Oh my goodness is smells so good. It is Oprah's New Favorite Scent of the Year, and I can see why. It is so expensive but it is wonderful. Yesterday I sprayed myself good with the colonge and rubbed lotion on my hands and elbows and oh my what a scented day I had. Lots of comments wondering what was that perfume I was wearing. I felt sorry for my friend, here I was sampling her expensive perfume, didn't care though - she offered and I took her up on it. If you get a chance to get to Nordstroms go check it out. I'm thinking that I really want it - hmmm what can I sell?

Miracle of the Day

It's a miracle in itself that I made it through last night. The preparation that it took to teach the class that I had to was very much over whelming. I kept praying that I would make it through. Guess What?

I did and today is a wonderful day. Hope your is also.

Whitnee Casserole

Last night as I was putting together Whitnee Casserole, I started to reminisce. When my oldest was in the 5th grade, for Mother's day the class made a little recipe book. It is the cutest little thing - Spiral Bound with a hand colored butterfly, flower and a pretty yellow sun on the cover. It says My Mother's Cook Book. On the inside cover is says; "May 15, 1990, I dedicate this book to the person that is always there, My Mom." It is full of a bunch of recipes that the kids collected from home. I have always saved it because it is precious to me. But just as important it has "Whitnee Casserole" in it. That wasn't the original name, it is Beef Casserole, but it was submitted by my daughters friend Whitnee Sacks, so therefore the name Whitnee Casserole. It's not that exciting of a dish but for some reason most of my kids really liked it. I think it was my number 2 who didn't like it because it had olives in it. She thinks olives taste like batteries. Go figure!

When I think about that time in my life - I can't believe it is 2007 - it seems like yesterday. At that time we were living in California, I had 5 little kids, the oldest in the 5th grade, one in 3rd grade, one in Kindergarten, a 4 year old and a 4 1/2 month old. Whew how did I do it. Some of the kids friends who appear in my memories - were, Danielle, Shelley, Cori, Bo, and AJ. With Pam Landon across the street and the McEldowneys on the corner we some how survived. As a matter of fact - those were the magical days. I really think we had alot of fun. At least I have good memories, and I hope they do also.

As for the Casserole, we had it for dinner last night. My youngest came home from school with one of her "Scrubs" today, she asked him if he wanted some Whitnee Casserole, he said what is that, the reply was "it is so bomb, just try it." Why is it called Whitnee Casserole, "I don't know it just is!" He loved it. Maybe I should pull out my little "My Mother's Cook Book", and give him the recipe.

My question is "I wonder what happened to Whitnee?"

Whitnee Casserole

1 medium onion

1 pound of ground beef

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. Chili Powder

1 can Niblets Corn

1 cup Black Olives sliced

2 cups of uncooked noodles

1 cup grated cheese

Brown meat, add onion, tomato sauce, olives, corn and spices. Let simmer while noodles cook. Cook noodles until tender. Drain then mix all ingredients together except cheese. Place in casserole dish and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and cook another 10 minutes.

Donated by "Whitnee Sacks"

Is It Possible?

My question is, is it possible to be scared to death, worried, sad, and proud at the same time. Only a mother can know what it feels like to have a child who wants to join the military. My first thought is - NO NO NO, then I realize that it is not my choice. It has been his dream for as long as I can remember. Our country needs men like him. Hard working, honest, spiritual, brave, and willing to serve. So why is it so hard? He is doing everything right, everything we have asked of him - even though sometimes it has been hard for him. But he did it. Is it possible to find miracles in all of this? Perhaps the $351.51 check he lost last October that just magically appeared in the car when he was out of money. Or the high score he got on the Military Practice Test that told him - He could do this. What about the job he is eligible for that is only available for 6 men a year. Maybe the fact he can stay in school and still serve. So with my heart beating so hard and my mind going crazy and my stomach in knots and with as much support as I can muster - I tell him Follow Your Dream Son, You Can Do It - Just Believe!!