Lost

It is back tonight and I can't wait! Even the enhanced rerun last night was good.

Hope this season is the best yet!

You have to let me know what you think.

The Grossest Dinner EVER

Oh my goodness, I just cooked the nastiest meal ever. It was a casserole recommended by someone I know and man, it was gross.

Here is the story, last night we had growth group. All the families take turns cooking for the group. Last night there were about 40 there. It was my turn to cook. Keep in mind, this is not a time to show off your culinary skills. Half of the eaters are kids so you want something everyone will eat. I cooked hot dogs. They were good, you know, you can't really mess up hot dogs. We ended up with about 20 left over. I was laughing that we were going to have hot dogs for a week. One of the ladies there said she had picked up a recipe at Market Street that used hot dogs and I should try it. The recipe was for "County Fair Hot Dog Casserole". I know, it sounds HORRIBLE!!! But, the ingredients were some of my favorite things like Jiffy Cornbread mix, Velveeta, sour cream, and stuff like that. The kicker was it also had hot dog wieners in it. I know, I know, I should have known better. The recipe had a high rating from Market Street, and normally I LOVE their concoctions. I went to work today and was talking about it. One of the teachers said she made it for her boys all the time growing up and they loved it. Another said she always made it for 4th of July. So, I tried it.

Let me tell you, it looked and smelled SO GOOD! Cody came home and we couldn't wait to try it. The first couple of bites were good. Then the aftertaste started to catch up with us. Here it is, 2 hours, later, and we are both glued to the bathroom. Oh man! What was I thinking??

Here was the recipe:

1 pkg Ball Park franks
1 package cornbread mix
16 oz Velveeta cubed
2 eggs
1 cups sour cream
1/3 cup oil

1. Boil franks for 4-5 minutes. Cut into 1 inch pieces
2. In a bowl mix cornbread mix, eggs, sour cream, and oil.
3. all cubes of Velveeta and cut up hot dog bites
4. Pour in 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.



Anyone brave enough to try it?

Still

We sang this song at church this morning and the words really struck me today.

It seems everyone I talk to has a lot going on right now. Some are burdened with loss of a loved one, with big decisions in their families, with financial woes, with sick kids, with infertility, with indecision, with job changes, and just with busy lives.

Take the time to listen, read, and reflect on this beautiful Psalm that was made into a song and say a prayer for eachother and for friends who need it.

Still
Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Praying a Smile Can Make a Difference

This past weekend a friend of Cody's from EMS committed suicide. He was 39. He and his wife had been having a few marital problems and they were separating for the time being. He had 3 kids. Last week he changed the song on his My Space to "Amazing Grace" and his phrase to "Things are hard right now. Don't give up. I'll keep praying". Matt shot himself on Saturday afternoon. Cody is honor guard at his funeral on Thursday.

Last night on NBC Nightly News Brian Williams said that the last week in January has the highest rate of suicide. He said that the holidays are over, bills are in, the weather is grim, and that people are the least motivated at all. Brian said they best thing we can do to combat depression is to smile at every one we meet.

Of course, I know that knowing you are loved by Jesus is the only way to combat depression. I know that knowing your time on Earth is temporary and that one day soon we will all be called home is what gets me through the hard days. That being said, January has been a crappy month for us and sometimes my countenance reflects that too much. I get caught up in the things of this world, the things I want and don't have, the things I think I need to be happy, and I mope around all day thinking about myself.

I am going to make a true effort for the last 7 days of January to smile. I am going to try and be patient in the check out line of Walmart. I am going to give grace to the teachers running late to school. I am going to try and radiate the true joy that is in my heart and try to smile at those I meet. Let's smile our ways through a hard week for many people.

Tom Cruise on Scientology

I found this weird, interesting, and scary. What about you?

Watch this video.

http://gawker.com/5002269/the-cruise-indoctrination-video-scientology-tried-to-suppress

Two Year Pictures

Movies over the break

Cody and I watched several movies over the break. Here are my movie reviews and thoughts. Let me know what you thought of these as well.

Charlie Wilson's War - I thought this was a very well written, informative, and entertaining movie. It is definitely eye opening to the positives and negatives of power and politics. The language is filthy. I found the movie fascinating and fast paced. I would definitely recommend it.

National Treasure 2 - It is good, not amazing, but good. Nicolas Cage's hair bothered and distracted me through the movie, but other than that it was another neat story. It makes me hope for buried treasure and that one day I will uncover a mystery to solve. Go in with lowered expectations and you will enjoy it.

Mr. Brooks - Cody and I rented this and loved it. It is VERY good. I must say it is a little naughty though. It is about a normal man who is a serial killer on the side. It is a captivating movie and you won't be able to blink until it is over. It is a great rental!

Shrek 3 - It was cute and clever. We rented it. I didn't the music was as great as the first and I thought Justin Timberlake was weak. It was worth a rental though.

Bourne Ultimatum - Another rental. It was SO fast paced. I should have rewatched the second one before I saw this one. It was a good story. I would have rather seen it in the theaters instead of on the TV and I think we would have liked it more.

Angel Falls, Big Montana Sky, Carolina Moon - These are all Nora Roberts books made into Lifetime movies. I thought they were all good. Check out old Lifetime television and see when any of these three are airing again. They are worth a lazy Saturday afternoon on the couch for sure. Please tell me some of you have seen these movies! *Note: Cody Nelson did not watch any of these movies with me nor does he think they are worth blogging about at all. I disagree and therefore they are posted.

Finally I want to think ABC Family, the Hallmark Channel, and FaLaLaLifetime for the pure enjoyment of the made for TV Christmas movies that aired all December. A special thanks to "Single Santa Seeking Mrs. Clause", "The Christmas Card", "A Boyfriend for Christmas", and "The Christmas Shoes" for your excellent Christmas fun. An extra special thanks to "The Christmas Gift" from 1986 for allowing me to see John Denver in a fine acting role.

So what have you been watching?

Carley's Elmo Party

Since Carley's bday and party were on 12/28 I had to wait until I had posted the Christmas pictures to post her party pictures. We had a great family party. It was so nice to do a small party instead of a huge one. I may never go back. Carley, of course, had an Elmo party with Sesame Street cupcakes. It was so wonderful. We are so blessed by our families. My parents were able come and so was Alyssa's family who hung around an extra day to celebrate with us. My sweet brother-in-law (and brother-in-love) Clint flew back in for the party. Also Cody's honorary family, the Spanns were here. I have blogged about them before and need to again, but they are just an amazing part of our family.

I read a neat idea in a magazine and was very thankful to copy it. Here is our birthday tree. It was a perfect way to decorate our Christmas decorations for Carley's birthday. We wrapped the tree in bright yellow streamers and also in Elmo bday streamers. We told Carley it was her special birthday tree and she loved it. We put bday presents around the tree and she thought is was so cool. Any of you with birthdays close to Christmas are welcome to steal this fun idea too if you want.

I loved her cupcakes. The character's faces came out so cute!

Here are our nieces Lauren and Camryn and our honorary niece (from Cody's bonus family) Faith sitting at the table Nana and Papa gave Carley for her birthday! Our honorary nephew Alex is precious and he sat in the high chair.

Our birthday girl had such a good time! Doesn't she look so old in this picture?