Wow...I really need to schedule some time to write on here in my planner. Otherwise, it will never get done. Well...lets see...what has been happening here? I gave birth to two beautiful little girls as a surrogate. They are happy and healthy and on their way to Australia. My oldest son Daniel graduated from 6th grade and my 5 year old starts kindergarten in the fall! Two of my boys are playing flag football and I was bamboozled into being the team mom for one of them. This is a new thing for me, but I must say my banner looks damn good :) We are enjoying as much time with my husband as we can before he leaves for training for the whole month of July and then is off to defend our country in Afghanistan in September. Whew....I'm tired just rereading all of this...lol. Oh right and I also start half marathon training in a week. I will work on updating my post weekly...we'll see.

So...shame on me, I have not been writing for awhile. I am now working on the Marine Corps base as a L.I.N.K.S. trainer. It has and continues to be such a rewarding job. I help Marines and their families become more comfortable with the unique lifestyle that is the Marine Corps. I also have started back up at school to finish my BA in Communication. Needless to say I've been super busy. Mike is due to deploy in September and is busy in the meantime with all the workups that go along with a deployment. What better time to start writing than now...right?

Halloween

So I pulled out the Halloween box and had a great time seeing all the of the old costumes. I realized I still have my 11 year old's first costume....time to downsize. I have now realized that Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because the kids are so darn cute! Just thought I would share the wonderfulness that is my children with all of you. ENJOY!

Volunteer Luncheon

So I went to the Ombudsman and Family Readiness Volunteer Recognition Luncheon today. It was amazing. I got to dress up...which these days doesn't happen much...sit with great friends, eat some good food, and be acknowledged for the volunteer work I do with the Marine Corp. Mayor Sanders announced that today in San Diego is now Ombudsman and Family Readiness Volunteer Day and we were all recognized with a pin and letter from President Obama! As I sat there thinking what a wonderful time I was having, the Commanding Officer of the 37 Group came up and gave me a challenge coin. Now for those of you who don't know that is a pretty big deal. My challenge coin now out ranks any that my husband has :) Any way...volunteering for me is its own reward but it sure is amazing to be recognized in this way for it. God Bless America!

*pictures to come

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best cookies ever...in my humble opinion.

1/4 cup Splenda brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup margarine

1 large egg

1 large egg white

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup wheat flour

1/4 cup white flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups oats

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix together sugars and butter until well blended. Add egg, egg white, and vanilla until smooth. Beat in flour, baking soda, and salt until mixed.

With a wooden spoon, stir in oats and chocolate chips until well combined.

Drop dough onto cookie sheet about two inches apart. I like to use an ice cream scoop to get the accurate size cookies. Bake cookies for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

ENJOY!!!

Volunteer update

Some of you may know but I volunteer a lot! I serve as a nursery helper and greeter at church, am a family readiness advisor and assistant for my husband's unit, and am now officially a L.I.N.K.S. mentor. I went to the LINKS team meeting last night to go over some monthly business and realized I love being able to volunteer. Next month I get to help out with the In the Midst ball for the spouses who's husbands are deployed during the Marine Corp Ball. There will be photographers, crafts, hairstylists, dinner, and a fashion show. It is so nice to be able to be a part of something that can bring, if nothing else, a night off from the worry and stress of having a spouse on deployment.

Molly's Holiday Casserole

Ok...so the other day I was searching around in the kitchen for a new casserole recipe. Then decided to experiment.

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbl olive oil

2 cans green beans

1 can creamed corn

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 box of stuffing

about 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Start by cutting up the chicken in bite sized pieces. Heat olive oil in pan. Add chicken and garlic and cover until chicken is cooked through. In a separate bowl, mix together all the canned ingredients.

Make the stuffing according to the directions. Take the cooked chicken/garlic and add it to the canned mixture. Spread evenly in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Take the stuffing and layer it on top of the mixture and then top it off with the shredded cheese.

Place in the oven that should be preheated to about 325 degrees and leave in until the cheese is bubbly. Take out...let cool...serve...and enjoy!