Oh...Happy Anniversary!!!!

     Awhile back, I remember sharing that this year was going to be particularly filled with family "milestones".  Well, the first one took place May 1st.  My husband and I celebrated 20 years of marriage wedded bliss...  He took the day off of work so we could be "together".

 

     I We had decided to celebrate by updating our "look" and getting new wedding bands.  This is something I never dreamed of doing before as I am quite sentimental when it comes to certain things.  The symbolic exchange of wedding rings and vows is definitely one of them.  Well, nothing like the passing of 20 years to make a person change their thinking on all kinds of things!!  Besides, these days I am liking the platinum, silver, white gold look more than our original gold wedding bands.  We did not replace the rings, just have two choices available to us now.  Also, my husband never rarely wore his ring because somehow in our young love and innocence we did not get him a "comfort fit" band and he found the old ring "annoying" (how's that for symbolism!!???) and generally dislikes jewelry.

May 1, 2013 -- 20 Years
(You know I will never get cooperation for a "retake" on this picture!)

     We went to lunch together at a favorite place and then got some fro-yo at our new Menchies.  Not long after that, it was back to reality.  The kids were going to be home from school and there was a football meeting at the school that night  (back to reality). 

      We have been through a lot together in these 20 years, both good times and bad times and we are still together!!!  We have discussed a weekend getaway, but so far our calendar has not really allowed it!!!  In the meantime....let's all join hands and sing out this post with our wedding song from 20 years ago by the late great Luther Vandross.........

 

Always and forever, each moment with you

Is just like a dream to me that somehow came true

And I know tomorrow will still be the same

'Cause we've got a life of love that won't ever change and
Everyday love me your own special way

Melt all my heart away with a smile

Take time to tell me you really care

And we'll share tomorrow together

I'll always love you forever, forever

There'll always be sunshine when I look at you

It's something I can't explain just the things that you do

And if you get lonely phone me and take

A second to give to me that magic you make and
Everyday love me your own special way

Melt all my heart away with a smile

Take time to tell me you really care

And we'll share tomorrow together

I'll always love you ever, ever

Loving you is the thing that I've planned

For a very long time

Me with you, you with me, we as one

Love together for a very long time

Loving you, you, baby
Always, forever love you

Always, forever love you

Always, forever love you
I said, "Forever love you, love you"

Ever and the day and one day

Loving you, you, you, you, you

Forever, tomorrow's tomorrow
Ever and a day, ever and a day

Ever, everyday, yeah, you

Loving you forever, ever, you, you

Forever 

 

 

 

Set It...and Forget It Sliders

     With sports and school schedules at a peak (actually, last Fall was even busier!), I have been looking for quick and easy recipes!  I love anything with 5 Ingredients (or less!).  Of course, it's a bonus if it tastes good!
     One meal idea that has never really been on our radar is Pulled Pork Sandwiches.  I like them, but have never made them.  Thought it was possible the kids would like them, too.
On Pinterest, more than 50 percent of the recipes seemed to have Dr. Pepper as their secret ingredient.  So, I thought it was interesting and would give it a try.  I kind of adapted my recipe from the one I pinned from here.

This is what I did:

3 1/2 pounds uncooked pork shoulder (lean, trim fat).  Slow cooked and then shredded.

1 cup chopped onion, uncooked,

3 cups Dr. Pepper

1 package McCormick Grill Mates BBQ or Pork Rub

BBQ Sauce (we use Sweet Baby Rays)

1-2 Dozen King Hawaiian Rolls (we used small Sweet)*

*OK, it's six ingredients, I wasn't counting the rolls....
  

Place all ingredients except BBQ sauce (and rolls -- ha) in slow cooker for 6-8 hours.  Remove meat from cooker and remove all bones (meat should be falling off the bone).  Shred pork with two forks (a rhyme!)  Drain juices as desired.  Mix pork with BBQ sauce as you like.  (I let each person add their own.)  Slice rolls and serve as sliders.  We each ate about 3 sliders.  Some of us more (husband!).  We have 5 in our family and had meat leftover.  Goes well with coleslaw and or sweet potato fries!

    I am calling mine, Pulled Pork Sliders** (because I used the small rolls) and my kids actually like them!  Jacob did a "Yes!" (insert hand gesture) when he came home from school and smelled his dinner.  My husband loves them, too!! 

     I'd love to try another recipe if someone has one out there that they like.  There's so many ways to cook the meat, beer, root beer, etc...  Let me know if you have a recipe I should try or if you happen to try this one!!

**Finished Picture Not Available...Ate Too Fast (maybe next time!?)

Stress? What Stress???

 

     I have three kids, right??  (well, not including my mom...)  One of them has gone all but missing the last several weeks.  Megan!!  This is what her bedroom door looks like virtually all day after school and soccer!!  Door closed.  Silently studying (we hope!)  See, she has soccer games and/or practices 5-6 days per week after school.  Throw in several study sessions with teachers, practice tests, study session with friends, and some after school symphony band practices, to name a few, and I am pretty sure I would not see her at all were it not for my job as "Taxi Mom" or her surfacing for "food and water" on occasion.  
     On top of her already pretty intense schedule, my little sophomore has been preparing for the College AP Statistics exam and the College APUSH (US History) exam.  This is all new to me!!  I'm pretty sure I would have remembered if I took any of those classes in my sophomore year of high school.  Nope, I did not!!  It is a lot of pressure and her schedule has been extremely full, to say the least!!!   She is soooo sleep deprived...works so hard, studies so hard and puts most of the pressure on herself.    She has been like a zombie lately.  Yet, never fear -- as there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!!


Some Notes She Left Laying Around
??????

     The AP Stats exam was last Friday, so that is over and done with!!  The "APUSH" exam is this morning at 7:30 am.  Although her schedule will remain very full, I look forward to seeing more of her in the coming weeks.  (Yet, after the test she has soccer practice and a symphony band concert tonight...  Oh well, at least I will see her on stage!?)  Ugh!
     I am amazed at how much they push kids these days as they realize more and more how truly smart they are!!  It's a lot of pressure, and I have been feeling it "for her" and perhaps more than her!!  We have been doing a lot of finger crossing and saying silent prayers to get through all this over here, and I am proud at how responsibly she has handled herself!!!

     My little girl is growing up!!!!!!

 

 

Studying...Behind Closed Doors

Her AP Stats Teacher Wrote a Note to Each Kid
(so cute and rare for a high school teacher)

And Made a Little Care Package for the Test

 

Testing Time

Waiting Forever For the Students To Get Out