whoop

Menu for this week:

Monday: X

Tuesday: Breakfast

Wednesday: Stir fry

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Chicken teriyaki and egg rolls

Saturday: ?

Sunday: Meatloaf and veggies

I've had an interesting week.  Went to a funeral last Friday. Spent most of the time with Aunt Margaret and Uncle Rick. It was a trying time, of course, but the air was much different than other funerals I've attended on Ben's side of the family.  I have a feeling that there's going to be some deep conversations happening soon.  

I really enjoy hanging out with Margaret and Rick.

I've packed up Delilah's Easter basket already. Instead of filling it with crappy junk toys and loads of candy, I filled it with books, a chocolate/pear buddy pouch, and some all natural lemon treats.  She's also getting a lamb, because that's the Easter tradition.  I wish Ben was here to celebrate with us..but I'll take loads of pictures to help him feel like he was almost there.

I'm taking Delilah to a Spring celebration at church on Saturday as well.  They're having an Easter egg hunt, food, pictures with the Easter bunny, pony rides, face painting, etc...It's kind of like an open invitation to the town for some good fun.  I'm really looking forward to it!

It's really hard not having Ben here.  I'm getting used to doing things on my own, but it's wonderful that my mom helps out so much.  I don't know what I'd do without her and Jack.  They are keeping me sane, along with my amazing friends.  I just wish he was here seeing all the new things she does every single day.  Just in the last 2 weeks, she has learned how to:

*Tada

*wink (a cute blink)

*she says a slew of new words and signs including please, thank you, grandpa, love, dog, kitty, more, and a bunch more

*she barks when she sees dogs

*she can sign the word dog

and tons more. I take as many pictures and videos as I can...and send him a bunch daily.

Got some great news about Otis...he isn't a pitbull and can come to Germany with us.  I've met with some amazing trainers, and they're helping me find ways for him to not be afraid and defensive with other dogs.  I want to really get him trained well before we go to Germany.  

That's all for now.  Goodnight.

(Oh, and hello to the girls in Clovis who are still stalking my blog.  It's really creepy!)

Time to start some serious menu planning.

I have been seriously slacking in the menu planning department.  I figure if I make it tonight, go to the store tomorrow, I won't lose my list or forget...right?

Keep in mind, I will usually not do all the meals in order.

Dinners:

Monday: Porkchops

Tuesday: Wontons with rice 

Wednesday: Crockpot Pineapple/Soy sauce chicken

Thursday: Quesedillas w/ guacamole and black beans

Friday: Parmesan chicken bake w/ veg.

For breakfast this week, I'm making breakfast cookies (the recipe can be found on my pinterest).  They are basically baked oatmeal.  No sugars or other unhealthy stuff in it.  I'm even using almond milk instead of regular milk.  (Honestly, if I could never drink cow milk again, I'd be OK with that.)

I'm also going to use Delilah's yogurt and make some frozen yogurt drops for the morning.  

Speaking of mornings, I absolutely love love love waking up in the mornings and having coffee and breakfast with my mom and Delilah.  We are right next to their big sliding glass windows, so we can watch all the birds, squirrels, and hopefully soon...rabbits in the yard, and it is just a really nice way to wake up!

So busy!

Gosh, I've been so busy lately! Having so much fun seeing my family and friends, it's making being away from Ben only a little easier.  

I do get to talk to Ben at least once (usually twice) a day.  We're still working out the time difference thing, but it's getting easier to figure out what time it is there.  Like right now, it's 11:19am, so it's 2:19am there.  Tomorrow.  He's in the future!  

I've been working hard on getting Otis to be able to come to Germany with us.  Leaving him behind with my family just isn't an option anymore.  He and Delilah are too close, we love him too much.  I've got a DNA test sent out and I'm just waiting for the results.  He is microchipped as a Basenji/Corgi mix, which is what I think he is.  I'll know for sure soon enough.  

I don't feel like typing a bunch, so I'll just end the post here with some pictures:

I'm doing the color run in June. Team name: Weapons of Ass Destruction

Merry late Christmas to me!

Decorating Otis with her necklaces

Painted Hobbes, just for fun!

The Lorax

Lady and the Tramp

Squid

I sent these to Ben to hang in his room in Korea.