KAYLA & JOSH'S VACATION:

Kayla and Josh just got back from a week long vacation. They took a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay, Jamaica. They had a wonderful time swimming with stingrays, zip lining, river tubing, and soaking up the sun. Kayla's vacation didn't end very well however, she ended up sick. It got so bad she ended up seeing the ships doctor: 104 temp, antibiotic/pain killer IV, and a kidney infection is what she ended up with! She's been here at home since they got back. Went to see our doctor, got some more meds, and is still not feeling very well. It's fine, Kali and I are sick as well, so all of us girls might as well be sick together!

TODAY'S UPDATE:

Well, here are some new pictures for you.....I was happy to get them, at first. I was talking to him when he told me he would post new pictures. I had to run Kayla into the doctor, and when I got back, I couldn't wait to get on the computer, and get a glimpse of my boy. Well, all I can say is my excitement turned into sorrow. I wish I was able to be there with him when he was getting his stitches, flying with him to the other base, holding his hand when needed, getting him his medicine......all those things a mom does when her child is sick or hurt. I don't think that ever goes away, does it?

He isn't able to do his base fire shift, or the airstrip shift, as he's not to have a helmet on for at least a month. Looks like he's left with base dispatch.

This is the latest one, as his stitches have been removed

TODAYS UPDATE:

Received an update at 5:00 AM. The phone reception is really bad from that base, so again, he's what I got:

1) As of now, no surgery
2) Keeping him at this base to monitor until Sat.
3) Not coming home early. He's not upset with this. Say's it's only a couple months more, and he'll like the extra money. Also, he can pack up his belongings himself. They would've left them there, and had someone pack for him.
4) He saw a Burger King on this base, and said, "I think I'm gonna have a burger!" Probably will kill his stomach, since he's been eating healthy, and hasn't had a burger. But he'll enjoy it for a bit, lol!
5) He still has his sense of humor! Love that boy:)

He will try and find a computer to let me know updates, or will call again. Until next time......

UPDATE ON KENNETH:

Kenneth called this afternoon to let me know he'd made it to the airbase OK. They were checking him in, and he'd see the specialist the next day. He said that specialist may send him to another one in Germany. If he has surgery, it could either be done at the base he's at now, or Germany. His higher ups say they are pretty sure he'll have surgery, and if that's the case he'll come home. We won't know how long they will keep him, etc. He will try to call once he has his appointment (if he can). That is the middle of the night for us, so if I hear anything then I will post in the morning.

Kali's UPS Surprise........

I was sitting at the computer when I got a knock at the door. Now mind you, I am a mother of a Marine, who is stationed in Afghanistan, so my heart fell to my stomach. I actually just sat there for a bit. I finally got the strength to get up. When I opened my door this huge box was leaning against my house. A tall, narrow box.....I start to wonder what I had bought, that I had forgotten, or who I knew that was sending something....there was nothing. I looked at the box, it had Kali's name on it and a return address of Washington State, but no name. I brought it in and cut one end, and peaked inside.................OMG! We took Kayla's boyfriend to Seattle for his birthday the first part of December. We went and watched the Seahawks vs. 48'rs. The Seahawks are Kali's team. Anyways, on our way home we stopped at a little diner for breakfast. Inside they had this HUGE stocking filled with stuff, and the winner was picked by coloring a picture, and writing what you want for Christmas. I let Kali do it, but told her we don't live around here, so she probably wouldn't win. Well, she did! This stocking stood as tall as me! I'm posting pictures in order, starting with me calling into her brothers room, to the finale!

"THE BOX........"

"SHE'S OPENED THE DOOR AND HAS NO CLUE....."
"SHE'S NOTICED THE LARGE BOX............"
"SHE'S SEEN HER NAME............."

"TRYING TO GET INSIDE, AND STILL DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE......"

"SHE'S GOT ONE END OPENED AND PEEKING IN......"

"SHE'S PULLING......."

"AND PULLING.........."

"SHE'S GOT IT AND SAYING YES! NOTICE THAT THE TOP IS BENT DOWN, WE COULDN'T GET IT TO STAND UP......."

"A SURPRISE CALL WHILE OPENING WHAT'S INSIDE, AND IT'S BUBBA.....LOOK AT THAT SMILE!"

"SHE'S CATCHING ANOTHER COLD AND SOUNDS LIKE A FROG...BUBBA IS MAKING NOISES, AND SHE IS GIGGLING. HENCE THE BLURRY PHOTO, BUT DON'T CARE! I CAN HERE THAT GIGGLE EVERYTIME I LOOK AT THIS PICTURE!"

"SITTING WITH ALL HER GOODIES....WE ARE DONATING MOST OF THEM"

"MOST DON'T KNOW, BUT THOSE OF US WHO LIVE WITH HER, THAT SHE IS A HUGE PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN/JACK SPARROW FAN, SO SHE LOVES THIS LUNCH BOX...."

"THE WINNING PICTURE......."

"THE WINNING BACKSIDE: NOTE THERE ARE THREE VOTES FOR FIRST PLACE, AND ONE FOR SECOND......FRIEDA, HOW COULD YOU? HAHAHAHA"

Kenneth: Accident

On January 16th I opened my facebook to a message that read: "Mom, are you there?" "I've been in an accident......" Those are words you don't want to hear, but at least they came from him, and not someone else! He and his fellow firefighters were responding, and using the appropriate measures to get where they needed to go (lights, sirens and horns), when they were suddenly cut off by an Afghan civilian. They slammed on their breaks, but ended up sideways in a ditch. I guess by them doing that, they saved the Afghans life, as he was in a small vehicle. Kenneth was the only one hurt. He slammed his face into something inside the responding unit. He has a laceration on his left temple, which required 10 stitches, and his skull was exposed. I understand there was so much blood loss, he will be issued a new uniform. He spent the rest of the evening resting. The next day he woke up to oozing from his stitches (I think I have this part right), and blood from his eye. He went and let someone know, and they advised him to seek further attention. He has optical fractures, some tingling, numbness, and possible nerve damage. Today, January 19th: He hopped on a flight to a different base by Kabul to see an eye specialist. There they will decide if he can heal on his own, or if he will undergo surgery to have a metal plate put in his face. I talked to him at 4:15 AM before boarding his flight. He took a bag just in case.....he may be on his way home. I'm hoping they will let me know what they are doing, and I'll post updates as I can, on here, and on his facebook page. Thank you to those who are constantly praying, and sending well wishes.....and please, continue praying for my son!

RECIPE: Apple Pie Cake

I have to admit, I haven't been a big fan of cooked apples, unless it's in apple crisp. I know, I know......cooked apples are cooked apples no matter what they're in. I just never liked it.

When scouring recipes, to use the pile of apples I've had since Christmas, I stumbled across this. I was looking for a cake recipe, but couldn't find one that I wanted to try. So, I went back to this one.

I haven't tried it yet, just cut a piece for the pictures. But there is someone who lives in my house who was raised on homemade desserts daily! Yes, my husband did the taste test, and he gives it two thumbs up! Now on to the recipe:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

5 lbs. tart apples, such as Granny Smith (about 12)

2 TBS fresh squeezed lemon juice (I didn't use fresh squeezed)

-In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and 1 tsp. of cinnamon. Using an electric mixer or pastry cutter, cut in the butter until the mixture forms pea-size pieces. Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the bottom of 1 inch up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan.

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Core and peel the apples. Cut into thin slices, and place in a large bowl. Toss the apples with the remaining 1 tsp. cinnamon, and the lemon juice. Arrange apples in the prepared pan; they will come up over the sides of the pan. Sprinkle remaining crumble over the apples.

-Place pan on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, and bake until cooked through and golden brown on top, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan, and let the cake cool in the pan to set. Serve, or refrigerate for 2 hours to set more firmly. Serve at room temp.

*While cooking I was thinking....I should've added some oatmeal to the remaining topping before putting it on the apples. I'm sure that would be scrumptious! HAHAHAHA.....

FOLLOWERS:

I think I need more.......please click towards the bottom if you have a blog and follow me! I will do the same for you!

RECIPE: Taco Beef Bake with Cheddar Biscuit Topping

MMMMMMM.......let me start by saying how good this was! I am a person who gets very bored, and very tired of the same things. This is no different with our meals. I love scouring magazines, and the web for yummy recipes. I've decided that when I do this, and I find something I love, I will share it! This will also keep me working on the blog, and you will get some great new recipes as well!

1 lb. lean ground beef (at least 80%)
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 small can sliced olives
2 cups Bisquick mix
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2/3 cup milk

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a 10 in. skillet, cook beef over medium high heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain.

Stir taco seasoning, salsa, corn and olives into beef. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Pour into ungreased 8 inch square pan or 2 quart glass baking dish.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, cheese and milk until soft dough forms. Drop by 12 spoonfuls onto beef mixture.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

New Blog:

Ok, I changed the background to my blog. I'm going to start the new text color in this post. Don't really feel like editing all of the posts! I like change......i'm sure most of you know that!

Family Fun

OK, so first off.....my kids are usually the ones that pull this stuff off, you won't normally find my husband and I posing for pictures, especially this way. However, when it's for your kids....you'll do anything! We did this Christmas Day. Kenneth had been trying to get onto Facebook to do a chat with everyone. He even had a computer with a camera reserved so we could web cam, but the computers had other ideas. Every time he'd get a message to us, it would kick him off, and it would do the same thing when I'd try and write him back. I don't ever think he thought we were writing. He posted his frustration on his page, and it was very upsetting knowing that he would be sitting there on Christmas day, knowing he would not get to talk to anyone. Kayla and I put a plan into action. It first started with us doing a family picture of us in his unit t-shirts we all purchased. The idea grew......and the picture below is the final product: Oh man......

Christmas Traditions

Sugar cookies are definately a family tradition at Christmas time. Our family doesn't get together and do the dozens upon dozens anymore, but we still have to have these. This recipe has been in our family for as long as I can remember. I have never seen a recipe like this, so i'm gonna keep it a secret. However, I will start sharing some of our favorite recipes from time to time. Here's hoping you and yours had a wonderful Christmas holiday!

"Who We Are" by: Michael D. Fouraker

It was early that morning,
Only a handful was awake.
The time was slowly turning,
Each of us waiting for a break.

We all were surely tired
Every bone in our body ached
Pain is nothing but a feeling
The mind can overtake

We serve our country so proudly
Our minds set only on the mission
Never heard of the word cowardly
For we do not know the definition

The enemy is plotting against us
Wanting us dead in every way
We give our bodies and our souls
For the freedom of the U.S of A.

Our children will look back
Wondering how and what we did
Some of them will read about us
The others will want it hid

For we are the fighting force
America's 911
No one else can be like us
We will fight and refuse to run

We are defined as Devil Dogs
Our patriotism is so true
We defend the colors of our country
The Red, White, and the Blue

You can join the other services
But why settle for second best
Our boundaries have no limits
The hell with all the rest

We come from cities big and small
From families rich and poor
We are considered a band of brothers
In the United States Marine Corps

Part 2 Deployment:

This is my FAVORITE photo Kenneth's taken! Great job editing too!

*Hmmm, I think he forgot the story about the Three Little Monkeys
*Sunrise in Afghanistan

*Look at how big that grasshopper is! Kenneth has big hands too!

*Our Marine

*I love seeing this...i'm sure it's few and far between

*God Bless our Troops!

*Our Marines and their homemade couch

The Past 3 Months in Afghanistan:

Kenneth departed Camp Pendleton on Sept. 13, 2009 for his first deployment to Afghanistan. He is scheduled to return this spring. Kenneth is a crash rescue/firefighter, and rotates three different jobs. They are: Dispatch, Base Fire, and Airfield (this includes transporting injured/deceased Military men/women, civilians, and even Taliban from helicopter to hospital transportation vehicle). Our son/brother has seen so much! Please pray for him each and every night, as well as his brothers and sisters in harms way. Now for the pictures:

*Morning truck check outs:
*Blast close to base

*Kenneth writing in his journal

*Awaiting a CVAC

*Patriot Missle

*God Bless America!

*My boy!

*At work

*At work again