Java!!

My good friend Emily from Emily in Wonderland pointed out to me that in my 15 month update I failed to post about myself!  I always think of my kids and hubby before myself so its no wonder!

In March I got a new position at work and I'm now a Supervisor!  I work in a different building which is closer to home which is great and so far I really love it!  It is world's different then my previous job and I couldn't be happier!

I also just signed up for ballet class again!  
I have not taken for the last 4 years because I had a toe spur and really couldn't dance much.  So far it's been going good!  I can definitely feel my age and I'm the oldest one in my class but I don't care!   I feel like I've lost a bit of myself with all the focus on Joe.

Emily also asked what Venti and Mocha did with our house!  The trim in the house was stained to match the hardwood floors and they decided to paint it all white!  They also painted the mantel white and the kitchen cabinets.  Those things really changed the appearance and made it their own.  I'm sure Venti didn't want to look at the same things that he grew up in!  People ask me all the time if it seems strange to go back in there but honestly it really doesn't.  Its their house now and I'm happy that it stayed in the family and now they can raise their kids their.  Its neat for Venti that his son's bedroom was the same one that he had!!  Their dog Dudley loves the screened in porch!!

Grande and Tall are back at college!  I finally get used to them being home again and then off they go!  I have to get used to cooking for the three of us again instead of for an army!  Tall requested Mexican Dorito Chicken this past Sunday and was it every yummy!!   If you love Doritos you will love this!  Here is the recipe!

Keep in mind that this recipe is enough for a large baking dish and feeds all of us plus some for left overs!  If you don't want to make this much then cut it in half!

14 - Cooked chicken tenderloins (cut into pieces)

2 - Cans Cream of Chicken Soup

1 - Cup of Milk

2 - Packs Taco Seasoning

2 - Cups Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese

1 - Cup Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese (for the topping)

1 - Cup Sour Cream

1 - Bag Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips (16.875oz) I buy it at Sam's Club 

Mix all ingredients except for the 1 cup of cheese for the top and the Doritos.

Use a baking dish like a 9 x 11 or 9 x 14 size.  Spray the pan with non-stick spray and be sure to spray the sides too.

Crush the Doritos in the bag.  Pour half the bag of crushed chips into the baking dish.  Spoon half the chicken mixture ontop of the crushed Doritos.  Pour the remaining Doritos ontop of the chicken mixture and then add the other half of the chicken mixture.

Top with the 1 cup of Shredded Cheddar Cheese.

Bake at 350 until bubbly.

Delicious!!

Never Growing Old Returns!!!

Hi!!  It’s been way too long away from you guys and I PROMISE not to do that again!!!  I can’t believe it’s been 15 months since I posted last!!  What a crazy 15 months it’s been. 

Here we go!!

May 2013:  We finally sold our house to Venti and Mocha!!  Can you believe it!?  I don’t know why it took us that long to not think of it being the perfect scenario for everyone!!  After we made that realization we also realized that we did not want the townhouse that had picked out and found another one within walking distance of Venti and my parents and my sisters!!  Plus my best friend lives across the street!!  We put in an offer and it was accepted.  We had a closing date of July 25, 2013!!

June 2013:  Packing, packing and packing!!  Did I mention packing?  20 years worth in a large house!!  We literally packed day and night!!  Some of the things were staying there for Venti which made it easier but boy was it a chore!!

Maya

July 2013:  More packing!!  We went to the Dominican Republic  from July 12 – 19^th and so we had to make sure most things were packed before we left since when we came back we wouldn’t have much time until settlement!!  Vacation was AWESOME!!

August 2013:  Settlement was delayed but we finally were packed and out the door and moved in by August 5^th!  Not much sooner after we moved in did Grande and Tall head off to college for another year!

September 2013:  Came home to this!!

October 2013 – December:  Joe had a really tough time adjusting to moving and boy was it ever some rough times for all of us.  He was battling depression really bad and nothing was helping.  The doctors tried many different medications but it only seemed to make him worse plus they took away all the daylight shifts at his job and he was forced to work night shifts which he has done before but that on top of moving was not a good combination. 

December 12, 2013 – The day that my heart added a new love!!  Meet Espresso!!!  8.2 lbs  21 ¾”!  Joe and I are now Nonni and PopPop!!

Christmas with our new little love!!

January 2014:  Joe ended up being admitted to the hospital from December 19 – January 27.  It was such a rough time for me and for the boys.  I had to be Mom and Dad, work full-time and visit Joe every day.  I never again want to go through that. It was a cold long month. Thankfully my boys were home from college and Short had lots of basketball games!

February 2014:  Joe was released from the hospital but still not himself.  We went to a Wedding of a very close family friend and it was really nice.

Espresso’s baptism was a beautiful event!!

March 2014:  Tall turned 21!!

April 2014:  We celebrated Short’s Confirmation!  Venti was his Sponsor!

May 2014:  We celebrated Short’s 8^th Grade Graduation!!

Baby lovin!

June 2014:  We finished our basement for Grande!  Poor thing has been sleeping in an unfinished basement for a year.  Now he will never leave!  Lol

Before:

After:

July 2014:  Vacation in Jamaica!  It was amazing!!

August 2014:  And here we are!!  15 months later!  Time sure flew by fast but yet it went slow.   We are finally all settled in our new house and I absolutely love it!!

Joe is gradually getting back to his old self but he’s still not there yet.  Short signed up for High School Football and he has never played before but I’m very proud of him for giving it a shot!  Grande and Tall are getting ready to go back to school.  Grande will graduate in December and Tall in May 2015.

I’m excited to be back to blogging now that my life has hopefully settled down and I can blog on a regular basis.  I missed everyone dearly and I appreciate your patience and sticking with me for so long!!

I have lots of new recipes that I’ll be sharing too!  Cooking for all these boys is no easy task!!

If you are still here please comment and let me know as I’d love to hear from everyone!