One year ago today...

It has been exactly one year ago today that I went to the doctor for a spider bite and left the doctors office with a JOY in my heart that I shall never forget. You see, I KNEW in my heart that I HAD to be pregnant, because I FELT pregnant with all the symptoms. We were trying! But, the OVER ten home pregnancy test I had taken so far had all said negative! I guess it had just been too early! I remember mentioning it to the nurse, and she suggested we do a blood test. The problem was I went to a tiny clinic in a small town on a Friday afternoon, they said it would be Monday before they got the result back! Uuugghhh! Impatient me asked her if I could do a urine test as well, just for the heck of it. I remember going and doing the urine sample and handing it to the nurse. She handed me my chart and had me go check out at the front of the clinic while she ran the test for me. I remember being VERY discouraged, to the point I KNEW I was going to CRY when I got in my car. After I wrote out my check, I stuck my head back around the corner to look at the nurse. The nurse was shaking her head "no" at me, I said thank you and turned around quickly to head for the door. She came after me saying, "no silly, it's NOT negative! It's positive, and I've done two tests! Your pregnant, congratulations!" I literally jumped, hugged the nurses neck as fast and hard as I could, which I know she didn't expect, and screamed out! I can not imagine the glow and smile that instantly came over my body! This is the happiest moment I recall. I immediately got in my car and called Lance to confirm the good news to him. We were both so excited and happy, we couldn't WAIT to tell everyone! I immediately called my mom, Hilary, Sarah, and stopped by my dad and Cay's house to tell them. I knew I would be picking Catherine up at the airport the next day, so I didn't call her, and waited to tell her in person. My Papa Fisher passed away 9 days after I found out I was pregnant, but we had told him and he was happy! I just wish my sweet Kaden could have met his Papa.
I just wanted to share my FAVORITE memory here...
God truly does answer prayers, and HIS timeline for my life has been perfect, in HIS time, not mine. I am learning to rely on God and wait for HIS timing in my life. And, since the moment Kaden was born on February 2, 2009, I have continually thanked God for my precious gift. Every feeding I say, 'thank you God for this baby'. I know that God has great plans for Kaden's life here on Earth.

Finally, The LAST day of school tomorrow!

Woo-hoo! Can I hear another Woo-hoo please? If you are a teacher or you have taught before you know the INCREDIBLE feeling of making it to the last day of the school year. It has been a COMPLETELY different feeling for me each year that I have taught so far, but this year has to be the best, most looked forward to summer yet. It has been increadibly HARD to leave Kaden each day to go to work. I hate leaving him. So, I am THANKFUL summer time is here at last!
Tonight I decided to try to bowl and spoon feed Kaden some rice cereal. It's our second time ever to try this, and he LOVED it! We ended up having to mix more, because he wanted more when it was gone. He ate that stuff up so fast and so good, like he'd been eating from a spoon forever! Lance and I secretly wonder if grandmothers have been secretly spoon feeding him he ate so well! Ha!
So now he is passed out in front of his Baby's 1st TV show and swinging. He is SO observant, he looks around at EVERYTHING, and watches me and Lance like a hawk when we try to walk in or out of a room. He has really discovered a lot about himself this week, including the fact that he can scream just to scream, and make noises just to make noises. He loves to flash big smiles and laughs at us too. We are REALLY enjoying him more everyday.
Today was day 9 workout of the shred. It is NOT getting easier for me. I have been very faithful to this thing, I have even been riding my bike and power walking. I have also been eating very healthy. (Last night at my Granny's I had a fudge brownie after dinner, then felt guilty for it) And, today I have been experiencing horrible chocolate cravings, thanks to monthly hormones. But, I have NOT lost ANY weight yet. It REALLY upsets me. NOTHING. And, I have been working my butt off and sorer than I have EVER been in my life. The workout is getting easier for me, yes, I'm STILL doing level 1 and plan to for a while. But, my body is just killing me, it hurt SO bad tonight when I was working out. My knees, shins, and upper back???
Kaden & I are OFF to bed, I hope! More catching up on pictures after school is out! I have to go to work on Saturday in the morning, I am taking Kaden with me so everyone can see him. Should be fun...

Shred, Jobs, and Life

I just finished my 6th official day of the Shred. I am not as sore, and I am seeing results in my endurance and body for sure. I have done my workout first thing in the morning the last two days. That seems to be the best, then I shower and get ready for my day. It also reminds me to eat right! I had two hard boiled eggs for breakfast today and a large glass of ice water. (While my husband had orange danishes and Dr. Pepper, yuck!)

I have been praying for Lance & my careers a lot. Lance has interviewed for a new career that would get him OUT of the truck for good and home each and every night with us. I am very excited about the possibilities of this career and I pray that he gets offered the position. I will let you all know how it turns out as soon as we hear something. It is with a pesticide company in sales and service.

Also, I have not been told officially what I will be teaching next year, OR if I will be teaching next year at my district. Because I was in my first year with this district, I am of course, as always, on a probationary contract. Which translates to me as, "We can get rid of you with no explanation or reason." Which is pretty much what has happened for three straight years for me. I always take a position in a desperate situation (desperate on the school's part) and end up getting SCREWED at the end of the year because they only needed someone for one year...BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!

Well, this year, my principal said he couldn't recommend me again because I was "OUT" too much. Hello! Maternity LEAVE! I was off work from Dec. 2- April 6 on doctor authorized maternity leave. So, if you ask me it's pretty shitty on their part. And, what I was off work doing is far more important to me in my life than that job. Sorry.

We have some "CHANGES" going on at our school and my principal says he will let me know as soon as he knows....sounds nice, huh? (He says that will be by the second week of the summer.) Basically, they "THINK" someone is going to retire, even though they have resigned their contract for next year, then he would put me in that position. If that doesn't happen he says I can RE-APPLY for my current position, which I have been told the lady who long-term subbed for me wants, which is also PRETTY SHITTY. Excuse my language here, but it all pisses me off ROYALLY!!! I'm not quite sure WHY I am always left in these situations at the end of each year. I mean, I did a good job, yes, I was out on maternity leave, but GEEZ! And, my formal evaluation was good for the year.

I have also applied for another positions as a back up plan because I have NO IDEA what is happening at my current school. My position that they LET me go from last year is RE-OPEN here locally, and I have re-applied, probably like an idiot, but at least it is close to home and not a 30 minute commute each way.

I have packed my classroom up and moved it all back to my storage unit for now. Please PRAY that I have some sort of a job to go to in the fall! If not, we will be living like REAL poor people while I stay home with Kaden. Which wouldn't be bad, except the poor people part. I would LOVE to stay home with Kaden, and if that is the way God presents this, we will just do the best we can.

I have been so good not to BLOG about all of this, but it just gets under my skin and this is my blog. This is the CRAP that happens in my life. Life isn't always great, even when we believe and love God. We still have struggles and hard times just like everyone else. But, I am faithful that my God will carve a path for us, he always does.

Memorial Monday

I am remembering a soldier today who so lovingly gave his life for our country. William Douglas "Doug" Richardson, born August 9, 1975 and died November 30, 2005 in Iraq. Doug was among many things a great Marine. He was married to one of my BFF, Catherine, who is also a Marine. Doug is missed so much, and we will never understand here on this earth his leaving. I thank you Doug and Catherine for your many sacrifices for our country. If you would like to read more about Doug's life you can go to his memorial web-site by clicking HERE.

Yes, I have tons of pictures of Doug as a marine, but my favorites are him as Catherine's husband! Here they are on the BEST day of Catherine's life... I am so happy I got to share this day with them on May 23, 2003...

Sleeping through the night!

Around the time Kaden turned 3 months olds he started sleeping through the night. It went from 6 hours of sleep to eight hours of sleep. And now this weekend he has slept three nights in a row for 10 hours! And, I have had no problem sleeping that long right along beside him. After about 8 hours I wake in a panic checking on him because I can't believe he hasn't woken up. But, let me tell you, it is a WHOLE new quality of life for us to get 10 hours of sleep. Oh, sleep, how I have missed you!
I feel better than I have since having Kaden and feel like I'm FINALLY getting a hold on this Mommy thing. Ha!

The really great news is the last two nights Kaden has slept those 10 hours in his BED! His pack n play bassinet is scooted right next to my side of the bed so I can lay on my side and look at him and put a paci back in, ect. But, he has done wonderful! I've put him back on his wedge positioner the last two nights too! He has done GREAT! I am so excited!!! YEAH KADEN for sleeping throught the night!

Today is Day 5 of the Shred. The good news, I'm no longer having to walk like a little old lady this morning, but I'm hoping to not be as sore after today's workout. Yesterday I did extra crunches on the Ab Lounge for about 20 minutes. I know this is going to sound crazy and quick, but I honestly felt results yesterday. I felt, feel thinner and like my body is really starting to change. Very exciting! I am NOT taking the weekends off either, I am going straight through with the 30 day challenge.

Lance & I are having rice for breakfast this morning and baked salmon (ribeye steak for him) for lunch. I am REALLY working on my meals.

Shredding Along!

At least I hope we are shredding along! I have just showered after finishing my 4th day of Level 1 Shred workout. Whew! It is not getting any easier yet! I have been so unbelievably sore the last two days that it has been difficult to get through the whole workout, but I have managed. Today was definately the hardest for me so far though. I am walking around in little bitty old lady steps as my friend Sarah says. She is doing the 30 day shred with me! Right, Sarah? :)

I have been trying so hard to eat well with this program, it really makes you think about what you eat! And, it also makes me wish I hadn't eaten a lot of the things I have eaten lately. Tonight for dinner I just had baked salmon, sugar snap peas, and rice.

Baked Salmon in foil
In your foil packet place a fresh 6-8 oz. Salmon fillet. Pour 1 Tbl. spoon lemon juice over the top, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, and a dash or two of garlic powder, I also used a small amount of thyme. Then, 1 Tbl.spoon butter. Wrap up the foil and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. It is WONDERFUL! Juicy and flavorful!

I think I am about to fix a small pot of Decaf coffee. I think that would be the wiser choice over chocloate ice cream..ha! So, off I go to sip coffee to satisfy my chocolate craving!

In other news, we have a three day weekend! And, then next Friday is the last day of school! Yip-he!!! As of next Saturday I am a free woman for the summer! Just me and my baby boy all summer long, I can't wait!

Kicking my own butt!

Ok, for the sake of not using profanity, I will say butt. But, if you are doing the 30 day shred with Jillian Michaels you know what she says! I completed my 2nd day workout yesterday afternoon, WHEW! My legs are SCREAMING this morning! But, I really feel great about this and am hopeful that I am going to see GREAT results. I took before pictures, but there is ABSOLUTELY no way I am posting them unless the results are wonderful! I am drinking lots more water because my body is craving it, cutting out all the junk, and WALKING while the kids play at recess instead of sitting in a chair talking with fellow teachers. I'm trying to make extra trips up that LONG hallway at work, too. I'm trying! So, we'll see what happens!!!! If ya'll are participating in this, I'd love to hear from you! I need the encouragement. It's HARD!!!

If I survive I might do it again...

I got this C-R-A-Z-Y idea to buy this workout video at Target yesterday, thanks to the blog of L.K. Oh Lordy! I have NEVER been so tired, worn out and felt so out of shape in all of my life! I think it will be effective if I am able to continue! Ha! Seriously, it has three levels and you are to start on level 1 for seven days (it may take me longer to move to a new level!) It is called the 30 day shred...we will see what happens! I weigh 155 today and I need to LOOSE it!!! My pre-pregnancy weight 135-138lbs. Let me tell you I feel like J-E-L-L-O after that first workout, and I am now regretting eating all that JUNK food the last several months. Time to pay for it!!!

I need some motivation and encouragement to follow through with this, as I DO NOT like to work out and have NEVER been one for sticking with my workout programs. I need a DAILY reward! Maybe I'll start a STICKER book like Carrie Underwood. She gives herself stickers when she eats properly and works out with her trainer. Funny, huh?

And, here's my little cutie playing!

Princess or Redneck?

This is Chloe Mae holding her friend bull frog whom she named Elizabeth.




She says she'll keep waiting for her prince, she's not ready to kiss a frog!

Monday Madness!

Today has been a whirlwind of a day! Busy, busy, busy! (Oh Yeah, Kaden is helping type this post, he is fascinated with looking a the monitor!)

Before I forget, Happy, Happy Birthday to my FAVORITE blog reader!!!! He just happens to be 57 years old today, and I just happen to know that! I don't care how old you get George, I still love you!



I went to work for half a day this morning, which seems like last week tonight, today has been such a long day! I picked Kaden up from JJ's house and he & I went for his follow up ear appointment at the pediatrician. The good news, his ears are all better and he is well! The dr said now hurry up, wash your hands and get out of here before you get something else! Kaden has gained TWO pounds in the last 12 days. That's right! He weighed 17 and 1/2 pounds today at the dr office! Oh MY! Yes, big boy is an understatement!!! But, healthy and happy!!!



Yes, this handsome little fellow ooooooeeeddd and aaaaaeeeddd all the nurses today. He flashed them all this precious smile and then would hide his face in my arms, trying to play hard to get! They just took turns holding him and telling him how handsome he was with his red hair.



After our dr visit we went to Costco and Target to get necessities. Diapers, size 3!!! Rice cereal, nursery water, formula, dog food, storage totes for Kaden's clothes he has already outgrown, and a workout video for mommy. That's right, it all starts tomorrow, which made my carnitas burrito from Chipolte, small fry from McDonald's, and Dr. Pepper all ok today, right?

Kaden & I arrived back home just in time to go to the local 75th Anniversary FFA Banquet. If you know me, you know that was right up my alley! I love FFA! Do any of you know that??? Anyway, here is a pic of Kaden sitting in his Aunt Vicki's lap during the banquet.



This is my little man saluting the flag during the American pledge!



So, it was a long day! And now my little man is all sacked out and I'm about to be right beside him in bed!

Last Saturday I took Kaden to meet my BFF, Hilary. Here's a picture of them!




And, I have been wanting to post that Hilary got engaged on May 1st to ED!!! They will be getting married on December 19 of this year. I will be involved in the wedding so I'll be posting some wedding plans and showers and parties as they come!!! I'm so excited for them! Here's her GORGEOUS ring, of course, you can't take a good picture of a diamond.

Three and a half months later!

Kaden, you have changed so much in the last week! It's like suddenly all this personality is coming out of you! You not only flash us with the biggest prettiest smile now, but it continues to a full laugh out loud session. I LOVE to hear you laugh!!! Everything seems to be in your vision field these days and Mommy can not sneak out of the room from you, you catch me, and watch for me like a hawk! It is VERY sweet. You LOOK at everything! You love the TV (which I do not sit you in front of but maybe a couple times a week, but JJ lets you watch cartoons while your at her house). We sit you in your bouncy chair and you just grab and pull all of your toys, you'll play now for about 30 minutes at a time with your toys.





(Other uses for the boppy pillow!!!)











You LOVE your stuffed horse and your blue bear blanket. You just pull them close to you and stare at them, then try to eat them and love on them. It is the sweetest thing ever! You also try to give your Nana kisses when she is eating you up! She will be kissing your neck or belly and you get a hand full of hair and try to get her in your mouth. You love your Nana and JJ, they both make you laugh and smile so much! You chew on your hands and fingers constantly, or your paci, or any toy you can easily get to your mouth right now. You have moved in a size 3 diaper! Oh my, your getting so big!!! You go to the dr on Monday to check and make sure your ear infections are better and I can't wait to see what you weigh, I bet it's 16 pounds or over now! You can hold your head up SO good and so high now, and for a LONG time!








You are getting so strong and your starting to like tummy time a little better. You are sitting in my lap right now as I type this, watching the screen and chewing/sucking on my arm. :)
This is a picture of you laying in the floor at JJ's house DANCING, DANCING, DANCING! You LOVE to dance to your Mommy & me DANCE CD!!! It is Too Funny to watch you go!



You still LOVE bath time. You just kick, kick, kick the water and then lay back and soak. You love to eat your hands, even in the bath tub!

Mommy & Daddy decided to try and spoon feed you a couple nights ago with your cereal, instead of having it in your bottle. You loved it! You grabbed the spoon and wanted to stick the whole thing in your mouth. But, boy is it time consuming and messy! I think we are going to wait a couple more weeks, until after your 4 month dr visit and ask her about spoon feeding. Then, we may try some other things. We'll see! For now though, we are sticking with the bottle!





Your Daddy & I are enjoying you so much, and we can't wait to see what you do next!

What it means to be a Mom

It has just really hit home with me hard all day today how much my life has changed in just a little over three months. I feel like I waited my whole adult life away WAITING to find the right partner to start a family with. And then once I found him I feel like my pregnancy lasted a lifetime in itself. I wanted Kaden so badly for so long, and I just couldn't imagine what he would be like or what it would really feel like or be like to be a mom. My baby boy has completely changed me, from the way I see things to the way I feel about things. He has allowed me to experience God's love like I never dreamed possible. I know that I would do absolutely anything in the world, no matter the cost or price to pay, for this sweet baby. I think that allows me to see how much God loves each of us. As much a momma loves her baby, that is how much God loves me. Wow!

Being a mom has put so many things into a different perspective for me. I understand grief now because I can not imagine the pain and suffering of loosing a child, and I grieve so much more for Montana as I fall more and more in love with Kaden because I know the heartache and pain Kim must experience each and every day.

Kaden has touched my life and my heart in ways that I never knew I missed or existed for that matter. It is truly impossible to explain my love for my baby boy. He melts my heart, he makes me laugh, he makes me cry I love him so much. My life is so much richer because of Kaden. Because I am now called mom.

A Mother's Day Story

When I was single and living all alone (well, me and my pups!) in my rent house, my neighbor across the street was this sweet little ole' lady named Tibby. Tibby and I visited a lot in the evening after I'd get home from teaching, and she knew how lonely I was and how I longed to have a husband and family of my own. She KNEW the first time I introduced her to Lance that he was the one, she could sense it. She told us we were going to have a beautiful baby and have the happiest life. We both knew it was true. And, sure enough, it is true! We haven't been back to see Mrs. Tibby since I moved in with Lance last May. And, yesterday, for Mother's Day, we stopped by with Kaden. She LOVES him, of course, and she was so tickled to see us all. She cryed. She prayed for and blessed our baby. It was a VERY sweet Mother's Day visit. So, here she is with Kaden...



This sign was at her house, I loved it! She said she would paint me my own to have...



We had a VERY BIG Day Sunday. We went to church, then to Lance's Mom's for lunch. Kaden wore his orange and white striped jumper to church and I wanted to take some pictures in it, but I spilled his pink antibiotic all over him, so he had to wear outfit #2 from Sarah. After leaving Lance's parents, we went to my Dad's house to visit Granny Cay for Mother's Day, then we stopped by and visited Mrs. Tibby, then, finally, off to Lance's Memaws house. We were beat Sunday night!

Here are some pictures of Kaden and I on my first Mother's Day...

Our Week in Review...

Kaden has had a B-I-G week! It of course, started last Friday with fever, leading us to the doctor Monday for a visit. He has double ear infections, which I think 5 days later on antibiotic we are doing better. He has started REALLY changing this week. He laughs out loud, it is so funny! He reaches and grabs his toys and puts it all to his mouth or in his mouth. He LOVES to play with his toys now. And, he LOVES to dance. We lay him down and turn on our baby dance music CD, he just has the best time with it. And so does Mommy & Daddy!!! I love this next picture, YES! Those eyes are still BLUE!!! He was in the middle of an afternoon nap when I snapped this picture (that's why he looks so tired!)





School is crazy and killing me right now. The kids are awful and think school is already over and that they do not have to listen anymore or do anything you ask. It is going to be a long 3 weeks! Actually, 14 class days remaining. Looking forward to wrapping up another school year! A sweet little girl in my class, Bailee, gave Kaden this outfit. I just love it! It says, 'When God created me, He was just showing off!'




Here's my sweet boy in his bouncy playing this afternoon...




This was taken last night when he crashed out in his swing holding on to his huggy bear. He loves his bear blanket!!!



We have received THREE packages this week with clothes for Kaden! First, we got two outfits from Sarah. They are precious, and I can't wait for him to wear one of them tomorrow. I'll post a picture of it tomorrow. Thanks Sarah!
Then, the second package came from Jenny. Jenny sent three outfits and they are just as cute as they can be. They are bigger sized, so we will be growing into them. Finally, a package from Lance's cousin, Debbie, she sent Kaden his first pair of WRANGLERS bloomers and a matching t-shirt (they are 12 month size) and this super sweet stuffed horse. Kaden really took to this horse. Here's a picture of him loving his horsey!



And, finally, Kaden & Mommy get love letters left from Daddy on the refrigerator when he has to go to work. Here's our message this week:



Tomorrow is my first Mother's Day which I am pretty excited about! I will make another post tomorrow after our many outings!

Show us where you live Friday on Saturday AGAIN!

Kelly's Korner is hosting Show us Where you live Friday each week. This week it is living rooms. Mine isn't clean! I started to clean my living room to show it off, then I thought we would go with the reality version of the living room with a 3 month old baby. So, here you go!
Here's our couch covered by the tummy time mat, activity mat, and Kaden's clean laundry.



Next, we have the bombo chair on the coffee table, swing, bouncy chair (with Kaden in it), ab lounge, and BOTH dogs napping by him in the floor. Ha!




Isn't it great!



Here's our front door and fireplace...





The hallway going to bedrooms in back of the house...




Living Room Window...



The walls and ceilings are ALL getting painted this summer, already got the paint!

Kaden's friend has arrived!

Well, little Mason Lee made his way into the world tonight, May 7, 2009, at 7:01 p.m. He weighed 6 pounds and 13 1/2 ounces. He was 19 1/2 inches long and his head was 13 inches. And he has a head FULL of brown hair. He is just precious and perfect as can be. Here are a couple pictures of the little guy.





The BEAUTIFUL momma & I




I can't wait for Kaden & Mason to play and become friends!!! Congratulations Crystal, he is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Baby Mason is on his way!

My friend, Crystal, is having her baby boy today! His name is Mason Lee! I CAN NOT WAIT to see this sweet little guy. I am SO excited to have someone so close to Kaden's age, and there is a good possibility they will be classmates one day! We are So excited to hear that he is here today! I am thinking of you Crystal and waiting to hear the good news!

Double Dose of Ear Infection Anyone???

How can this precious, sweet, Innocent little guy have double ear infections???



He LOVES to lay on the changing pad here, and DANCE, DANCE, DANCE! He just kicks and laughs and goo's and talks, it's the sweetest thing EVER!!!



Kaden has had fever since Friday night, and it hasn't gotten over 101.7 until today. Today it got to 103.7, so in to the doctor we went, and sure enough not one, but BOTH ears are bad she said. The funny part is she just checked him on Wed. and he was PERFECT! Go figure! We have an antibiotic, ear drops and Tylenol now. So, hopefully it will get better soon!

And, Mr. Kaden weighed in at 15 pounds and 14 ounces today!!!

Not Me Monday!

MckMama is back in case you haven't noticed. So, off we go with my not me Monday list.

I did NOT spill Kaden's rice cereal all over the kitchen floor, and walk away, and clean it up approximately 1 hour later when it didn't bother me so much to clean up the mess. Then, I did not feed the rice cereal to our donkeys, No WAY!

I did not stay up most of the nights all weekend with a baby who has a fever.

I did not get peed on twice in one diaper changing session, NOPE!

I did not forget to pay our bills this month....Oh GEEZ!!!

I did not take over 50 pictures of the same pose of my son!

I did not have to climb in through the passengers side of my car and crawl over to the drivers seat because some inconsiderate jerk parked too close to my car.

I did not re use a bottle that we had already used for a feeding without washing it through the dishwasher.

I did not forget to feed the cat.

I did not drive and hour and a half to my doctor's appointment only to turn around and drive another hour and a half the other direction for kaden's dr appointment. I did not spend my whole day off work driving to two doctors offices in two separate cities, 2 hours apart.

I did not drink expired milk.

I did not hold my breath to keep from swearing at a kid in the classroom the other day. No way, not me!

It's Sunday, so what's cooking?

Pasta!

We are having angel hair (or thin spaghetti) with marinara and meat sauce. With a green salad and Texas Cheese bread toast! And, sweet tea, of course! Yum-o!



Bring one large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tsp. sea salt to water (this is your only opportunity to flavor your pasta). Add 1 Tbsp. (or eye ball it!) EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil). EVOO keeps any pasta from sticking together. Add angel hair (or which ever pasta) to the water and boil required amount of time. Drain in colander, place about 4 tsp. butter in bottom of pot, add pasta back to pot and cover with lid to melt butter and keep warm. (Can you tell I watch Rachel Ray???)

In a large skillet brown 1 lb. ground hamburger meat. Drain fat off in colander. Return to skillet, reduce heat to medium, add one jar of Prego marinara sauce. ( I put about 1/4 cup hot water in the jar and shake to get all the sauce out of the jar into the skillet.) Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then simmer as long as possible until eating.

Use an italian lettuce mix (bag mix -or- romaine). Cut up tomato and thinly slice red onion, toss with italian dressing, and enjoy!

In the oven bake Texas Style Cheese Toast at 425 for 5-6 minutes! Pour sweet tea into glasses over ice! Enjoy! YUMMY!!!!!!! Great for left overs!

***I do not mix my pasta with the sauce. I let the person get the amount of pasta they want and the amount of sauce they want. Lance & I like eating the pasta plain, left over, so we don't mix it all together.