This pic taken YESTERDAY

OK in case you haven't had enouph (you all probably want to gag by now) but yesterday my friend went to Jonah's orphanage to pick up her new daughter Autumn and took some very precious pictures. I am just posting my favorite here in case you haven't checked my blog! I know I am a little obsessed and I love you for letting me be kind of a psycho mom , but our boy is almost home!! I MIGHT return to normal after he's home-maybe!

Also I have to say , I can't wait to introduce JOnah to all his "extraordinary Aunties"! You Rock!!

This one is for Lana

Recipe for "Winger's Salad"

OK here it is. I am not a real freak about measuring but here are the proportions and you can make as much or as little as you want.

1-2 pounds of chicken breast cut into tenders-brown lightly then sautee them in the following sauce until cooked all the way through and the sauce is cooked down and the chicken is caramelized.

THE SAUCE

two parts brown sugar to one part Hot Sauce (I like the Western Family "louisiana Hot Sauce") You can get it at Stokes near the catsup and pickles. A big bottle is only 1.29!! Last time I made it I put about 1 1/2 cups brown sugar and about 1 cup of hot sauce, but I like it spicy. If you like it sweeter put more sugar. Pop it in the microwave for 5 minutes and stir. The sugar will be dissolved. Pour 3/4th of this mixture over the chicken in a fry pan and simmer until the chicken is nice and gooey! Take the rest of the sauce and make your dressing.

Dressing
Remaining sauce mix (hot out of the microwave)
about a half a bottle of light Ranch to taste
Stir well

Salad
half romain and half spinach-as much as you want
grated cheddar/jack cheese to taste
a cup of craisins
diced cilantro (I like about 1/2 a bunch)
chicken on top

Just assemble as such-
salad
cheese
craisins
chicken
cilantro sprinkled on top
Serve dressing on the side so it doesn't get soggy
EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!!!

Happy Birthday Emily!

Graphics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

An Extraordinary Housewife

I just wanted to let everyone know that one of our friends did an extraordinary thing yesterday! LANA did an amazing thing for her neighbor, and this blog is about us being extraordinary, and I thought I would share (her proud husband let me in on it). Lana's poor neighbor who is about 78 years old went outside to dump some garbage, the lid flew up in the wind and hit her in the face knocking her to the ground. Lana's son went to tell her that the neighbor was on the ground probably picking up some garbage and wondered if he should go help her. Lana went ouside and realized she was not on the ground picking up garbage, but had indeed fallen. Our little 50 pound Lana picked this lady up and carried her into the house and laid her down, then called her husband, and they drove her to the hospital together. Lana sat at the E.R. with her ALL day long until she had to leave to her baseball game (which she coaches). The neighbor is gonna be alright, she had surgery last night on her broken hip, and I am sure Lana will be there to help with the recovery. Way to go Lana!! Truly an Extraordinary Housewife:)

We have "TA"

What the heck is TA??? It is Travel Approval from China! It's the golden ticket saying "come get your child." So, we will hopefully be heading out first week in July. If we get the Consulate date we requested we will leave in like 3 weeks!!! Go check out my Jonah blog for more info! Jonah, Momma's coming hunny !!!! :) Yes, I have been skipping around all day!

Hey - It's Emily's B-Day Saturday. I feel a girls night coming on!!! What do you think??

Mare

PS- this is a picture of Me and the babies celebrating the day on Jonah's bed....... soon he will be kicking them out of it! Hee Hee!!! It was so funny because Mia was so happy she broke out into song........ she sang Jonah " Tingle Bells." (she belts out Christmas songs when she's really pumped about something) Silly, silly girl!

Everhett Scot Stokes

OOoooohh isn't he soo adorable! I am so excited I finally got to go see Rhett. Lisa is doing fantastic and can't wait to come home, she may come home today or tommorow, depending on how much weight he gains in one night, he passed his car seat test, so all thats left is the weight gain!!:)

Success Story

This is one of my students from TRiO, Syerra. When I met her this last fall, she was pretty sure she wasn't going to be able to graduate. She made it and is going to CSI this Fall to continue studying to be an EMT! I'm so proud of her! I had two other students in this same boat and they both made it as well! This was a day that I loved my job!

The Blessed Event Has Arrived

It is once again garage sale weekend at the Gibbons household. And I say once again, because this is a yearly event. You may not believe that one person could manage to throw together a garage sale of such gargantuan (no clue how to spell!) proportion, but then you don't know Lana!

But even those of us who know her would have to say.....We stand all amazed!

This is a shot of the garage, but keep in mind, the family room looks about the same! You are amazing Lana! We love you!

P.S. Stay tuned for pics of the aftermath. Prepare to be amazed!


(Yes, this item still has its price tag on it!)

Congratulations Lisa!!

Here are some pictures of Lisa and darling little Rhett. It's hard to tell in these pictures, but he is so tiny. His little head is about the size of an orange. He is doing so great, though. He has gained 3 oz., so he is now 2 lbs. 11 oz. (as of Friday). He is breathing on his own, and they took the IV out a few days ago. He just has a little tube going down his throat which is how they feed him Lisa's milk. In order for him to be able to come home, he has to learn how to nurse and be able to retain his own body heat. And of course, grow a bit!

Lisa is also doing great. She is feeling better and gets to spend hours and hours holding Rhett. What a blessing that he is doing so well! We love you Lisa!