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A Lunch and Recess With First Graders

June 10, 2011 in Everyday Family, Lana's Journal with 0 Comments

Yesterday I went to Lauren’s school for lunch and recess.

Every time I’ve eaten lunch at Lauren’s school, I get a kick out of my “celebrity status”. If you are ever feeling less than the best, just go eat lunch with your elementary-aged kid and suddenly you will be right up there with Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber.

“Hi Mrs. Coddington! Hi Mrs. Coddington! Hi Lauren’s mom! Hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi!!!!!!!!”

I took a look at the lunches at Lauren’s table. You know, just to see what other parents send in. Sandwiches, grapes, crackers, etc. One first grader was eating the cafeteria offering for the day.  I was concerned as to why the mashed potatoes looked a little green. Who knew that broccoli can be mistaken for mashed potatoes? I now understand why Lauren does NOT NOT NOT like school lunches!

The little boy sitting across from me at the lunch table had lots of questions.

Little Boy: Who are you?

Me: I’m Lauren’s mom.

Little Boy: Why are you here?

Me: I’m here to eat lunch with Lauren.

Little Boy: What job are you going to next?

Me: I don’t work. I stay home with my baby. (Why oh why did I say that? Moms work hard!)

Little Boy: Bummer.

A few minutes later Little Boy started smashing Goldfish and Oreos on his head.

The two girls (including Lauren) at the table just rolled their eyes.

Then Cracker Crushing Boy said my legs were swords.

Another little boy saw my purse and asked if he could play a game on my phone. 1) How did he know my phone was in my purse? 2) How did he know my phone has games on it? I said no. He then gave me a big hug. A hug that wouldn’t stop. I pried him off and decided right then and there that elementary school teachers are angels.

We finished lunch and went to recess. It was 102 degrees outside. A few kids played basketball. Lauren and her best buddy Maya ran around. Most of the kids sat in the shade. I sat with the kids in the shade. I think it might have been 101 degrees in the shade!

To summarize:

One insult from a cracker/cookie crushing first grade boy. (Or two if you count the legs = swords comment.)

One extra long squeeze that wouldn’t stop from another first grade boy.

One VERY hot recess that resulted in the need for Shower #2 for the day. (Didn’t get Shower #2 but needed it.)

One little girl who was very happy and excited to have her mom visiting. Priceless. :)

Creamy Cheesy Chicken

June 9, 2011 in Lana's Journal, Recipes with 3 Comments

Note: I typed this up a few weeks ago when the weather was nice outside. Today is going to be 100 degrees with 1,000% humidity. Heating up the kitchen to make a cheesy chicken dish will not happen today! So, if your neck of the woods is blistering hot and humid too, save this recipe for a nicer day!

***

My mom has always been healthy. She eats tons of salad and whole grains. But, sometimes she cooks something up that is full of cheese or butter.

While she was visiting recently, she cooked a truly delicious creamy-cheesy chicken dish.

Last week, I decided to try cooking it myself. I changed a few things, just to make it easier. My mom rolled the chicken up into nice, neat chicken and cheese rolls. I just slapped the chicken into the pan!

Creamy Cheesy Chicken

2 pounds thin sliced boneless, skinless chicken breast
bread crumbs
1 sweet onion, diced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
cream sauce

Pound the thin sliced chicken until it is even thinner (I like super thin so I pounded a lot). Sprinkle bread crumbs on both sides of each chicken piece. Place one layer of chicken in greased 9×13 casserole dish. Top with 1/2 of the sweet onion and 1 cup of cheese. Put next layer of chicken and top with the remaining onion and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, make a cream sauce. I whisked together over low heat the following: 3 Tablespoons butter, 3 Tablespoons flour, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 cup parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. When the sauce started thickening up, I removed it from the heat.

When the chicken is done, pour cream sauce all over the top and put back in the oven for 15 minutes until bubbly.

You can cut down on the amount of cheese to save calories if you would like. Also, you can use whatever kind of cheese you would like for both the chicken layers and the cream sauce.

Enjoy!

Wacky Hair Day

June 8, 2011 in Lana's Journal with 3 Comments

Lauren’s school is celebrating the end of the school year by having a different theme for each day this week. Pajama day, Hat day, Wacky Hair day, etc.

Yesterday was Wacky Hair Day. Lauren bounced out of bed at 7am (VERY unlike Lauren who usually wants to sleep and sleep), ready to get her hair done.

She came up with this creation.

Lauren said she wishes every day could be Wacky Hair Day!

I Want to be Weird

June 7, 2011 in Lana's Journal with 8 Comments

Yesterday Hope and I went to the mall to look for sandals. I have been wearing the same black sandals since 2001. I wore them to church this past Sunday and thought to myself, “It is time. These are not comfortable any more.”

I found a pair I like and they were on sale (yay!) so I bought them. On the way home, I started thinking about how buying something new is fun. And I was reminded of a section of Craig Groeschel’s new book, Weird.

Most of us enjoy the traditional blessings that come our way. If you travel to a nice resort for vacation or have a day on the lake skiing, you’re grateful for the gift. If you drive a reliable car, enjoy a cool pair of sunglasses, or purchase your favorite song on iTunes, you probably get a nice feeling for a while…Special as they are, though, these blessings don’t seem to fulfill us very long. We take pleasure in the moment or the days or weeks following but the pleasure often fades…On the other hand, when you do something for someone else, there’s often a greater, deeper satisfaction…He [God] wants to move us beyond our self-focused, normal understanding of his blessings and into an others-focused, extraordinary experience of his character. We reflect God’s character the most when we give freely of ourselves with no strings attached, no secret motives, no hidden agenda.

First of all, I LOVE this book. I interrupted Dave (who was busy working on a project) about 1o times in order to share something I found insightful. And I laughed and laughed and laughed because Craig is one funny (and weird) guy. The gist of this book is that normal isn’t working. Normal people are stressed, overwhelmed and exhausted. So, maybe we should try weird! Craig dedicates his book to everyone who is sick of normal and is ready for something better.

Second, I think Craig has perfectly described the reality of doing something for ourselves versus doing something for others.

My new shoes do make me happy. I’m thankful for them. But, they won’t last. And my satisfaction won’t last. At least in relation to these shoes.

When I think back to the times I’ve seen a need and met the need, I feel a deep sense of happiness. Someone needed something and God gave me the ability to provide. That’s a satisfaction that doesn’t fade.

For the past few years, we have been the family in need. Our family and friends surrounded us and met our needs. Thank you!

Without a doubt, Carmen showed us that living “normal” isn’t all that it’s cooked up to be and that “something better” is available.

We are about to embark on a new adventure with new opportunities and new people in need. I hope and pray that God strengthens our desire to be more like Him, specifically in the area of giving.

Dave is a great example to me in this area. Generosity comes easily to him. He has very, very generous parents to thank for that!

My New Shoes

Anyone else want to be weird?

What Is Your Favorite Nail Polish Color?

June 6, 2011 in Community, Lana's Journal with 30 Comments

More About You Mondays

[This post is part of an ongoing blog series to get to know each other better. Have you read and participated in the other "More About You Monday" questions?]

***

Today’s More About You Monday question is from Lauren. She wants to know: What is your favorite nail polish color for your fingernails and toenails?

“Red” is a fine answer but if you know the specific brand and color that would be helpful too!

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