Vegetarian Spaghetti Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 carrots sliced thin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (26 ounce) jar meatless spaghetti sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) can cannellini beans - Any kind of your favorite bean would work here...
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the onion, celery, carrots and garlic powder in oil until tender. Add the spaghetti sauce, beans, tomatoes, sugar, salt, oregano and bay leaf.
2. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Drain spaghetti; top with sauce and Parmesan cheese.

You can make so many variations of this dish by adding other veggies your family loves! Try some out, I would love to hear about them!! This was a huge hit with our family! Hope you enjoy!

What soccer has taught me so far

Yesterday was Dakota's second soccer practice.

I went hesitantly because he didn't do so well the last time.

This time they gave Dakota 2 special helpers. We know this couple. The husband is an elder at our church and once counseled my husband and attended our wedding. I was so relieved they were going to be working with him. They have seven children. None with special needs. I knew Dakota was about to change their lives. I even mentioned that very comment to my husband. Little did I know God had bigger plans that day.

As I watched Dakota having cooperative and not so cooperative moments, I had to smile. Simply because he hadn't run for me, not even once. There were a few times, my husband and I wanted to run for him. But we withheld and watched. As I was taking photos the Head coach of the entire organization had come over to speak with me.

My heart sank. I thought to my self, Oh no. Its just not working out, I just know it.

These are some of the words he spoke:

I am so glad to have Dakota on our team. I am so glad you let him come back to try again.

I set him up with an elder from our church. He will do great with Dakota.

I can see Jesus, in Dakota's smile.

I feel led to work with him.

Usually I am a floater and run with every team, but I feel pulled to lead Dakota's team.

So I will be personally working with him this year.

I just KNOW Dakota is going to change my life.

And I cant wait for that. You are very blessed.

And with that, my eyes watered holding back tears.

My husband walked back over and I explained to him what the coach had just said to me.

And at that moment, in the middle of the crowded soccer field there was an opening. Dakota and his two helpers were standing there and the head coach got on his knee and stretched out his hands for a hug. Dakota ran the 6 or so yards into his arms. And I. LOST. IT. It was a magical moment between the two. I was wrong about who's life was going to change. And if it changes the coach's or not I don't know. But it definitely changed mine.

I have always known how special Dakota is. But sometimes I forget, just HOW special Dakota is.

I think this soccer thing is gonna work out after all. I can just feel it.

Thank you Lord for putting your hand on my shoulder and telling me its going to be okay. Continue using me as your vessel and allowing my family to change others, to show others. I am A-Okay with this job in life! The rewards are soooooo worth it!

I am officially a soccer mom!

Sausage Sautee - Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 4 potatoes - peeled and sliced thin
• 1 can french cut green beans - or any veggie you prefer
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound kielbasa sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Chop Potatoes and slice carrots - boil until tender
2. In a large, heavy skillet over medium high heat, fry the bacon until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon and leave the fat in the skillet.
3. Then place the potatoes, green beans, celery, carrots, and onion in the bacon fat, reduce heat to medium and saute for 5 minutes. Place the kielbasa over all, to allow the juices to trickle down over the vegetables.
4. Saute for 5 to 10 more minutes, or to desired tenderness on the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste, crumble the reserved bacon and return it to the skillet, and stir to combine.

You may also add garlic for some flavor while cooking...

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 609 | Total Fat: 40.4g | Cholesterol: 83mg

Publix Trip 3/1/12

Awesome day at Publix today!!!

Here is what I got!

3 - Marie Callendars Apple Pies

2 Birds Eye Viola Meals In a Bag

2 pack of Grouch Chuck ( for My great Gramma Lucy's Meatballs)

1 pack of gound pork ( for the meatballs)

4 Bottles of Dawn Dish Soap

2 Country Crock Butters

2 4 Packs of Activia Yogurt

4 Packs of Philedelphia Cooking Creams

1 Pack of Cinnamon Buns

I pack of Grands Biscuits

2 Kraft Fresh Takes

1 Bottle of Tropicana Juice

Total Price Spent - 16.96

Total Saved - 43.14

If its FREE its for me!

Wow, what an adventure today was!

It started out with - 5 minutes before I had to leave to bring Dakota to school, Eli fell asleep on me - Ugh BUMMER!!

I woke him up and got Dakota to school, explaining to them he has an ear infection but has been medicated for over 24 hours and if they should need me to call me.

Then I went to my doctors appt, where my bluntly honest doctor told me I have gained to much weight, and should go running. Doesn't she know I don't run because I am fat?!?

Then I went to Sears Outlet because on Tuesdays they have been giving away free clothes. YES, I said FREE clothes, no catch! Just walk in with your coupon and get something cool! The past few weeks I have gotten 4 pairs of jeans, and today I got a nice shirt with a pair of shorts. I love free!!

As I was leaving there I got a call from the school to pick up Dakota, he was being unruly...

Off to the school I went... H was fine, but I took him home anyways :)

THEN - yes there is more - I packed up the boys and we went to Ihop for Pancake day... What is pancake day you ask? Well click HERE and find out! Free short stack for everyone at the table!

We sat down and ordered our free pancakes! 3 HUGE pancakes for each of us ( we couldn't even finish them) We had an amazing waiter who was so kind and patient as my kids were the loudest creatures in this tiny restaurant!

Now we are home relaxing until Skylar gets home...

Its been a great Tuesday!

How was your day???

Publix Trip 2/22/12

Here is a round up of my Publix Trip today -

Spent $77.68 and saved $77.67

Here is what I got:

4 - Green Giant Frozen Veggies

10 - Michealina's Frozen Meals ( more like snacks)

1 - 4 pack of Perdue Chicken Burgers ( never had these hope they are good)

2 - boxes of Jones sausage

3 - Publix Brand Deli Meat containers

2 - Bertolli Meal in a Bags

1 - Pack of ground beef

1 - Beef Roast ( in the crock pot now)

1 - Ham Slice

4 - Containers of Smart Source Butter

2 - Boxes of crock pot liners ( I am cooking in the crock pot and forgot to put them in) ::sigh::

10 - cans of Emeril Ravioli's ( on clearance for 49 cents!)

8 - Cans of Progresso Soups

6 - Large Cans of Diced tomatoes ( I see chili in our future)

4 - Boxes of Quaker Granola Bars

2 - Boxes of Moon Pies

Thats what I got!

The new ad starts tomorrow, wonder what trouble I will get into then! :)

Women In The Word

Wow, I went to my first Women in The Word Bible study in Genesis yesterday. Though its not my first WIW study, this one intrigued me the most. As a former Athiest, I have to admit this was the hardest book in the bible to swallow. This book is one of the many reasons I had doubt and shunned my loving Father. I cant wait to hear how the story unfolds.

The teacher of this study, Wendy Hodges, is the head pastor's wife. And she has such a gift for explaining things that I can understand. Her love for Christ is astounding. As she started explaining what we are in store for, she spoke of all the questions, non-believers always have. And I am not even kidding you. ALL of those questions escaped my lips at one time or another!!

"Where did Cains wife come from?"

"Are dinosaurs biblical?"

"Why do we have a bunch of races if we started with Adam and Eve?"

and on and on...

I honestly cant wait to begin!

Now... I have to go find the study guide before its sold out! Eek!