Happy Thanksgiving 2013

The difference between last Thanksgiving and this is mind boggling to me.  Looking back on time it truly seems to fly by. Wasn't it just last week that Joe was deployed? He's already been home almost 7 months already.  Thanksgiving Day last year was hard for me and I just want to take a moment to say how thankful I am that he is warm and toasty laying next to me in bed.  Snuggling up next to him last night remembering how I felt so alone and sad the night before Thanksgiving last year, remembering that all I wanted to do was reach out in bed and feel him on his side but all I felt was emptiness.  Switch gears: Sad story over but just know that I am THANKFUL so thankful to have him home.

I am thankful for all the troops deployed (and spouses) this holiday season. 


Happy Thanksgiving all! 



Enjoy your family~

Who needs an ACL anyways?

It has been brought to my attention that I have not blogged in awhile.  To be quiet honest with you I have kind of felt uninspired.  There has been stuff going on my our world but I honestly don't really feel like blogging about it.  Here is a quick recap of one thing that has been going on....

The middle of September Joe had ACL surgery.  He promised me he would be a better patient than he has been in the past.  The last time he had knee surgery, even though it was just a scope, it was painful and due to his lack of patience with the recovery process he pushed it and went back to work far too soon.  This time around he agreed, took three weeks off and was/is more patient with the recovery.  It is a long process though- Holy moly- 4 weeks into it and his knee is still swollen and he is still walking on crutches.  Keeping his spirits up is starting to get harder and harder.  I know its hard for him to still be limping and unable to walk without assistance and I sense his frustration.  We celebrate the small victories.  Putting his own shoes on or walking 3 steps alone, bending his knee at 90 degrees or driving.  Physical therapy is helping and hopefully very soon he will be off the crutches and walking without pain.

The day after his surgery he started this leg machine.  30 degree's caused him pain but Dr's orders stated he had to exercise in the machine 3 times a day for 2 hours each time.  In 14 days he increased 30 degrees to 100.  It was hard for me to see him experience pain.  Watching someone you love, who is insanely independent, in pain, struggling, needing help with simple tasks is sad to watch.  I am so thankful I was here to help him and even more thankful he let me help him.  So, to recap the moral of this story- Take care of your knee's so you wont need ACL surgery one day.






Enjoy your family~

 

 

 

 

 

September Memories

This day last year we were 14 days away from embarking on a deployment.  Dread filled every inch of my body.  I remember the bags.  I remember the packing and I remember the savoring every moment aspect of our last 2 weeks together as a family.  This year I am SO thankful I don't have that sense of dread,  I am SO thankful I am not overtaken by sadness and fear of the unknown.  I am SO thankful my husband will be home with us on Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. 

Give your husband or wife an extra hug and kiss today in honor of all the deployed members who cannot hug or kiss their spouse.  Be thankful for your loved one today.  Savor each moment.  Savor each touch and smell because besides the obvious of just missing him being home, I missed his smell.  I am so happy he is home. 







Enjoy your family~

Dear Ava

Dear Ava,

Eighteen months or so ago, you started asking a lot of questions regarding Jesus, him living in your heart, heaven, hell and death.  At the time I tried to answer them the best I could without thoroughly confusing you or scaring you.  We left it at that and you seemed to understand the story of Jesus.  Fast forward 6ish months later and we were fish-sitting, yes- babysitting a fish.  Aunt Jackie and her family were on family vacation and we watched their fish, Blueberry for the week.  We all ended up getting attached to that silly fish and ended up keeping him several weeks after Aunt Jackie got home.  Finally we decided it was time to return him only to get a phone call a couple days later stating that Blueberry had died.  I made the comment that Blueberry was now in fish heaven and that started your 20 questions again regarding heaven, hell, getting saved and death.

That afternoon, August 3, 2012, while sitting in our living room you gave your heart to Jesus and became not only my daughter but my sister in Christ.  What a precious moment we got to spend together in the minutes after.  Forever will I be thankful that I got to lead my daughter to the Lord.  You are my life, you are my world.  Your future is bright and you already have a calling on your life. You love talking about God, praying to God and telling everyone about him.  Do not let that fire burn out.

This August 4th we came together as a family and had you baptized.  It was a special moment in your life and I wanted the people who meant the most to you to watch you get baptized.  An added bonus was your Pappy is an ordained minister and was the one baptizing you.  You both have a special relationship and I know that him being the one to baptize you really meant a lot.  I love you Ava with my entire heart and I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for your amazing life.  Momma and dad are so proud of you.  We love you!!!

**Can't really see in the photo but you wanted the cake to say "Happy Baptism Day" so in true Franco fashion we celebrated this occasion with a cake! 



Enjoy your family~

Back to School

To get Emma excited to start kindergarten, and me too, about the upcoming school year I decided to throw a "Back to School" themed dinner.  It didn't really help with my excitement level of having both my girls in school full time and the every morning routine of "Eat breakfast, stop arguing, no T.V. until you are ready for school, brush your teeth, LET ME FIX YOUR HAIR, NO you may not wear purple leggings with a red top go pick something else, WHERE'S MY COFFEE CUP???, stop fighting, go brush your teeth, don't mess up your hair I just fixed it, WHY ARE YOU STILL WEARING PURPLE LEGGINGS?" Every morning its organized chaos and every morning after I get home from dropping the girls to school I think "Wow, that was a crazy hour." So, to get us all motivated for that craziness I served a back to school dinner.  The centerpiece was clearly stuff school related.  Globe, markers, glue, crumpled paper etc...

 

 

The girls went through the lunch line and got their school inspired meal of  pizza, jello, raw veggies, Capri sun and a piece of cake for dessert. 
 

I even found Styrofoam plates that resembled lunch trays.  The girls had a lot of fun eating their meal and wanted to eat school food the rest of the week.  Can't believe both my babies are in school this year, gosh I am getting old.  Back to school pictures coming soon....







Enjoy your family~

What's for dinner tonight: Penne Alla Vodka

Here is the recipe for the yummiest, most delicious, incredible, superbly creamy best tasting sauce you will ever taste.  *If you make it and hate it, please don't tell me... it would break my heart. 

Originally from my dad who originally got the recipe out of Carmines family style cookbook.  Dad made some changes to the original recipe and I go with and agree with his changes.  Here is our recipe.

Penne Alla Vodka

1/4 C. EVOO (Or extra virgin olive oil)
1/2 of a small yellow onion- thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
2 Tablespoons dry basil leaves
1 Tablespoon dry parsley
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes (or if you don't like spicy- omit it)
1/4 C. Vodka
24oz Bertolli brand vineyard marinara sauce
1/2 C. Heavy cream
1 box Penne pasta
1/2 C. grated Romano cheese
1 C. grated mozzarella cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

1.  In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add the onions, cook them, stirring 2-3 minutes or until they begin to soften.  Add the garlic and cook the mixture another 2-3 minutes, be careful not to let the garlic burn. 

2. Add the basil, parsley and red pepper flakes.  Stir and cook the mixture for about a minute. 

3.  Remove the pan from the heat and add the Vodka.  (stand back a little because sometimes alcohol can flame) Return the pan to the heat and cook the sauce for 2 minutes. 

4.  Add the marinara sauce and simmer for a few minutes.  Add the cream and bring the sauce to a boil.  Boil it for 3 minutes or so or until the sauce starts to thicken, stirring occasionally. Cover it up and keep it warm while the pasta cooks.

5.  Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for about 7-9 minutes or until done. 

6.  Drain the penne pasta well.  Keep warm in large pot.  Stir into the sauce 1/2 C. of grated Romano cheese and season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle the sauce over the noodles, **melt mozzarella cheese over top and enjoy!!!!!! 

**If you have oven proof bowls or plates its best to melt mozzarella in the oven until it turns brownish but if not, melt in the microwave for 30 seconds or so....




Enjoy your family~

# 8

Happy Anniversary to my love.  I am blessed and thankful to be spending my life with you. You mean everything to me and you are one of the only people I know who can make me laugh so hard that I have consecutive snorts coming out of my nose.  I look forward to our life together, good or bad.  Thank you for loving me even through my moody and cranky days.  Thank you for saving the curled up chip or popcorn kernels for me just because you know that I like them.  You sacrifice stuff, big or small and for that I am thankful.  I love you with my entire heart and I look forward to many many many more anniversary golf dates. You are my hole in 1.  (cheesy alert!!!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy your family~