Early this morning we received a call informing us that a child in our daughter's K-4 class was airlifted to the nearest teaching hospital w/bacterial meningitis.  We called our doctor as instructed and she started my sweetie w/the antibiotic.  We heard it did not look good for the classmate and later received notice she had passed away due to the illness.

Since this morning we have received information leading us to believe it was not bacterial meningitis, but another possible type.  We are going to finish our antibiotic just in case. 

Please keep the family of the classmate in your thoughts and prayers.   She had a younger sibling and a sibling a couple of years older.  I haven't decided how to tell my little one.  If anyone has experience talking to little one's about death I would like some help.  My daughter understands old people dying, but thinks youngsters like herself are invinsible.

The end of the school year means banquets, award ceremonies, graduations, recitals, etc.  This week I was so proud to attend my son's Honor's Day ceremony.  Our son is a third generation attendee of his elementary school.  As I waited for his name to be called I thought about the fact my husband, his brothers and his father also participated in similar ceremonies at this little school. 

Our children were so blessed this year with wonderful teachers.  My son had four regular teachers, three elective teachers and a gifted teacher.  Each of them challenged him to learn and explore more about topics of interest.  Our daughter was with the same preschool teacher for two years so we were very concerned about her adjustment to new teachers in elementary school.  She was so blessed to have two Godly women watch over her each and everyday.  As you might notice from pictures the hairbow is an essential part of each outfit.  I think it is so important for a little girl to look like a little girl.  Thank goodness we had a teacher that thought the same.   I am so thankful for the lady that made sure our little princess came home each day looking like the same little princess we sent off to school each morning.  Thanks to her for allowing this spoiled little girl sit in her lap while listening to silly little stories. This same teacher had to take some time off due to illness.  We pray for her healing.  Our teachers have been such a blessing to us.  Thanks for mothering our children just as you would your own. 

Time to start praying for our new teachers.  In just a couple of months we will send them off again- a little older, a little wiser and a little more curious.  Our prayer is for God to provide them with Godly men and women to protect and challenge their minds.  Education has become somewhat of a toy for politicians.  As parents we must pray our children don't become a pawn in this game. 

I know lots of parents ponder over the end of the year teacher appreciation gifts.  Gift cards, stationary and personalized gifts are all very nice gifts, but the very best gift we can give our children and their teachers is a little prayer each day.  I hope you will join me in praying for our children and teachers before the new school year begins.

We are so excited about visiting with my family at a reunion.  I whipped up a yummy cornbread salad to share with the cousins.  The gorgeous colors alone made my husband's mouth water.  The visual appeal along with the delicious flavors make for the perfect summer salad.  I've had several cornbread salads, but this is by far my favorite.  My friend Amber would say, "Taste so good it makes me wanna hurt somebody".  For some reason good Southern food can make people do strange things.  Here is the recipe:

Cornbread Salad

8 1/2 oz box cornbread mix, prepare as directed
4 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper
1 medium onion
1/2 cup chopped sweet pickles
9 slices bacon, chopped and crumbled
2 cups shreadded Cheddar cheese

Dressing

1 cup mayo
1/4 cup sweet pickle juice

After cooking cornbread allow it to cool and then cut into cubes.  Combine tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, pickles and bacon.  In a large bowl, layer cornbread, 1/3 cheese, tomato mixture, 1/3 cheese, dressing, remaining cheese.  Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.  Serves about 8. 

The flavors are incredible.

Enjoy!

What a wonderful weekend!  After a hectic few weeks I got to spend this weekend focused on my family.  I finally got to watch the movie the Blindside.  What a wonderful story for Mother's Day weekend.  I was so blessed to grow up with both my parents.  I've never wondered where I might sleep or if I would be able to eat my next meal.  Thank God for people willing to take in children in need.  Our Sunday School class is studying a book on prayer.   A recent chapter focused on praying for God to expand our territory.  I am one of those people that likes to have a plan or agenda, but God doesn't always give us the agenda ahead of time.  This is very scary for me.  I just pray and trust he will prepare me for whatever he has in mind.  As I watched this movie I thought about the chapter from the prayer book.  The family that took in Michael Oher really had their territory expanded by opening their home to this young man.  I'm still nervous about what God has in mind, but I do pray for him to expand my territory for His purpose.

• Spring Festival at the elementary school (my son spent all of his tickets trying to win a goldfish- no luck)
• Daughter's dance recital
• Favorite BBQ sandwiches
• Time at the Pond- kiddos played on the zip line
• Slept late and cuddled w/the kiddos
• Favorite amaretto flavored coffee
• Brunch prepared by brother-in-law
• Fishing -even though the fish were not biting
• Pimento Cheese on homemade rolls
• Watched the Blindside
• A nap

If the end of the school year for my kids were not hectic enough, I think I have been attempting to do everything peopl ask of me.  Yesterday and again today, I feel absolutely exhausted.  Monday night I presided over an organizational meeting for the PTO at the local elementary school.  My daughter's dance rehearsal was extra long yesterday due to the upcoming recital.  I missed my son's first baseball game due to a meeting.  I'm scheduled to go to a meeting Monday night and Tuesday night of next week, but tonight I made an executive decision.  I'm cancelling all appearances at meetings until after baseball season.  I realize my exhaustion comes from trying to do too much, but I also think I trully miss being at the game last night.  My favorite day of the year (Mother's Day) is fast approaching and I'm glad I had to opportunity to stop and think about what is important to me.  The meetings will go on without me.  This few days has reminded me of a devotion I read over and over again at the beginning of every year- it reminds me when I put on a new hat I must take off an old one.  Lately, I've been adding to my collection, but forgetting to purge.  I've got way too many hats.

I'm so glad I was reminded of this before the weekend.  I got so excited about my revelation I have already packed my bag for the weekend.  As soon as the dance recital is over I'm turning into a beach bum.  The only hat I'm packing for the weekend is the one protecting my head and skin from the sun.  I've even commented to my hubby I wouldn't mind living off popsicles for the weekend.  Life is Good if you Just Say NO!

Hubby and I hosted our fourth annual Derby Party last night. Due to “country cable” the race was not visible on our television so just like the Waltons we listened to the 136th Kentucky Derby. Thank goodness this wasn’t a college football game or we would have moved the party to another location. I took a few pictures, but ended up with the backs of lots of people so I thought I’d share a recipe.

Regardless of the cable situation our friends enjoyed the conversation and munchies. I am usually the type of person that plans every detail weeks in advance, but due to our recent schedules this wasn’t possible. I did end up with fresh crab meat from the “shrimp man”. The night before the party we headed to a specialty grocery store to purchase a few items. I had some ideas for a menu, but it did not come together until I started shopping. I found Old Bay crab seasoning and remoulade sauce while shopping. We also picked up a Greek Artichoke Salad and buttered crostinis. I added some bowtie pasta and extra dressing to the Greek Artichoke Salad to make it a little more filling. The morning of the Derby I went to the local farmer’s market and picked up fresh basil. I also found Mrs. B’s frozen tea biscuits at my local grocery as well as some small tomatoes. From my shopping excursions the Crab Cakes-n-Biscuit appetizer was created. Our menu: Southern Fried Chicken Wings, Crab Cakes-n-Biscuits, Greek Pasta Salad, Pimento Cheese w/Strawberry Preserves on Buttered Crostini, Asparagus w/Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette, Lemon Squares, and Mint Juleps.

Recipe for Crab Cakes-n-Biscuits

1 lb of fresh crab

1 packet Old Bay Crab Cake Seasoning

½ cup Hellman’s Mayonnaise

3 tbsp finely chopped bell pepper

2 tbsp finely chopped onion

Olive oil

2 packages Mrs. B’s Frozen Tea Biscuits

1 container Remoulade Sauce

1 package mini tomatoes (slice just as you would a large tomato)

Fresh basil (36-40 leaves)

Lightly stir crab, seasoning, mayo, bell pepper and onion until combined. Shape mixture into mini crab cakes (I made about 36). Cover the bottom of skillet with olive oil. Heat the skillet to med-high heat. Brown crab cakes. Carefully lift and turn cakes during cooking to brown both sides. Bake Mrs. B’s Frozen Tea Biscuits according to package directions. Brush biscuits with butter during the last few minutes of baking. After removing biscuits from over allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. Slice biscuits.

To assemble: Take top off of biscuit. Place a mini crab cake on bottom biscuit, top with a sprig of basil and tomato slice. Put a dollop of remoulade sauce on inside of biscuit top. Place top back on crab cake, basil, tomato stack. Makes about 36 appetizer servings.