Alicia Enriquez

We are so proud of our God~Child Alicia for making the varsity team at Mesquite High as a freshman! Congratulations way to go girly!

We Will Rebuild!

We will rebuild, we will recover and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.

Be for the people of the United States not the party!

Praise God!

Many of you have asked about my cousin Doug.  He is doing better but still needs our prayers.  Below I have posted an update from his wife my cousin Sarah. Thank you for all your concerns and especially your prayers. 

Day 39 - Praise God!! Doug was more awake this morning and I had a wonderful time talking to him and sharing some recent events. He seemed to understand and would shake his head yes or just smile. His numbers remained the same as yesterday and that was fine. They did not go up. Stability is good. I put on some music for him and he seemed to remember the words to some songs and we sang together. Actually he just mouthed the words while I tunelessly tried to sing! :)

Today was a day of hard questions and hard answers for Doug. It was a day of beginning to understand what is ahead for him, and his family. The doctors making their rounds, and the speech and physical therapist, all met with him before I even arrived in the morning. He has a PMV valve which attaches to the trachea tube and allows him to speak and swallow. He very softly, with few words, asked what happened and what will happen. They very honestly answered his questions. He has a long road ahead of him and he will have to work hard for many months to recuperate.

But, I know Doug. When he has the desire and motivation to do something, he will work hard. He also is a firm believer and he can rely on his Lord to provide the encouragement and strength needed. Pray for Doug as he begins to process all this information. Pray that God will protect him and give him peace of mind. Pray that he be free from fear, anxiety, sadness, and confusion. Continue to pray for healing and protection for his liver, lungs, kidneys. Pray for me too that I can be an encouragement to him. Pray also for freedom from fear. I know that in all things we turn to God. He is the answer for every need. I am thankful for the way He has carried me through this journey.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. Psalm 28: 7

Go Suns! And Ashley thinks she's too tall!

The Suns and the Celtics played today so Ashley and her Dad went to the game.  This picture was sent to me during the game.  Go Suns!

 I stayed home to rest up for the ASU/ Uof A game!  Go Devils!

Woo ~hoo ASU won and may I add 4 in a row!

Right to your hips dessert!

 Yummy right to your hips dessert!

2 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese

2 c. powdered sugar

1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 1/2 c. heavy cream (whipped)
2 (16 oz.) bags frozen raspberries
1 angel food cake

Combine cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, vanilla and almond extract together and mix well. Set aside. Whip the heavy whipping cream and combine with the cream cheese mixture. In a trifle bowl layer angel food cake torn into large bite-sized pieces, cream cheese mixture, frozen raspberries. Do this 2-4 times ending with the raspberries on top. Refrigerate 12-24 hour before serving.

*If you don't have a trifle bowl, just use a large glass bowl.

Ava Sophia

Mary Stahle's Bridal Shower

i do, i do, i do

on  03.06.09

Wedding bells are in the air in our neighborhood.  We have three weddings within the next few months.  The kids are all starting to grow older to fast and that means we are growing older too.  Darn, I hate when that happens! 

A few friends got together and 

gave Mary a bridal shower.  She is marring

  Kody Sherwood on March 6th.  It's been fun watching Mary grow & glow into a beautiful young women.  Kody has grown up in the neighborhood to and he found a new love besides SNAKES... he found Mary!

Congratulations Mary & Kody.  May God bless you on your journey together!

Doug Keough

Day 28 - I have not written in a couple of days, but will attempt to catch you up on what has happened. Doug had another CT scan of his lungs. It showed that his lungs are worse than last week. His condition at this point is critical. Pray for healing of his body and that the doctors will be able to use their knowledge and skills effectively. Pray for comfort and clarity of mind for the family as we wait for God's leading as we make decisions involving his care. A friend of mine emailed this verse to me and it is one that really had much meaning, especially now when I need the strength that God provides. But He gives me enough for today, and tomorrow, He will give me what I need. Lamentations 3:22-24 'Because of the LORD's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.''

Valentine's ChocolateTart

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• Details:
• Prep Time: 10 min.
• Bake Time: 7-10 min.
• Decoration Time: 5 min.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Yield: Makes 12 servings.

For Crust

• 1 box (9 oz.) thin chocolate wafers, finely ground
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons sugar

For Filling

• 1 3/4 cups DOVE® Brand Dark Chocolate
• 2 boxes (3.9 oz. each) instant chocolate pudding
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped or whipped topping
• 1 pint raspberries
• 12 (4 1/2-inch each) small tart pans
• 2 cookie sheet pans
• Resealable plastic bag

• 1. Combine ground chocolate wafers with butter and sugar. Press mixture into sides and bottom of greased tart pans.
• 2. Place tart pans on cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for approximately 7 to 10 minutes. Remove and cool completely.
• 3. Melt DOVE® Brand Dark Chocolate in microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth. Prepare pudding according to instructions on package. Whisk melted chocolate with pudding and refrigerate until set.
• 4. Before serving, fold 3/4 cup whipped cream into chocolate pudding mixture and fill tart shells. Spoon remaining whipped cream into resealable bag with snipped corner and pipe heart design on top. Cover with raspberries.

Valentine Butter Cookies

Butter Cookies

Prep Time: 10 min

Bake Time: 25 min

Cool Time: 10 min

Decoration Time: 5 min

Difficulty: Easy

ingredients:

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 lb. butter

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

   directions:

1. Chill in fridge

2. roll out to 1/8 of an inch and cut out

3. Pre heat oven 350 degrees F

4. Bake for 20 to 25 min till golden brown

It's dinner time

MANICOTTI 

8 cooked manicotti shells
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 container ricotta or cottage cheese
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese 
2 eggs
1/2 tbs. parsley
1/2 tbs. oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 jar spaghetti sauce

Cook manicotti according to directions. Cool on foil. Combine remaining ingredients (except spaghetti sauce). Spoon mixture into shells. Spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Place stuffed manicotti on sauce. Pour remaining sauce over manicotti. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over sauce. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Doug Keough

Today it was such a blessing for me to spend time with my cousin Sarah and Aunt Sarah at the hospital.  We were sharing memories of our childhood, laughing and thanking God for the many blessing.  I left the hospital in Awe over the nursing, Doctors and staff member from Good Sam.  They are incrediable.  What caring hearts!

Thank you for all the prayers you have shared with us for Doug and my Mom.  Below is an update on Doug written by my cousin.  Mom is doing much better and we continue to help her get stronger everyday.

Love you all,

Liz

Day 19 - Doug went a field trip again today. He was sent down for a biopsy on his lung. The results of a CT scan taken two days ago showed an isolated spot in his upper left lung . They wanted a biopsy to try to determine if it has been the cause of his breathing difficulties. It should take a couple of days to get the results in.

He was also to have had dialysis today, but apparently there was a problem with the tubing. So they quit for tonight and will try to reposition the catheter. Pray that it will be an easy fix and that he will be able to get dialysis tomorrow. This is a preventative measure to take the stress off his kidneys and to rid his body of excess fluids.

Today my Great Aunt Sara and cousin Liz were able to spend the day with me. It was a total blessing to have them there and they did a great job of distracting me, laughing with me, and sharing memories. I was so glad to have them there since it was a time of sorrow on the pod floor as Joey lost his battle with cancer. I thank God for sending them when I really needed the encouragement. Please pray for Joey's family as they feel the loss of a son, brother, grandson, cousin. 

Thanks to all who continue to pray in earnest for us and for your encouraging words. Thank you also to Matt K. for asking God to keep my mind focused on Him and to keep others from 'messing with my mind'. I did remember that today when I found my mind wandering. Thanks Matt, for a kid, you are pretty smart.

Soup Time

I hear there is going to be rain in the forecast for later this week so what a great time for some soup! I'll post some of our favorite bites!  

Have a great week. 

Corn Chowder

3 potatoes

1/2 onion
1 can corn (don't drain)
1/2 lb. bacon
1 c. cream
2-3 cups milk
2 Tbls. flour
1 c. milk

{To Taste}

Parsley
Salt & Pepper
Garlic Salt
Maybe a dash of hot sauce

Slice uncooked bacon into bite sized pieces. Fry bacon until cooked, then add onion and fry until tender.  Don't forget to drain the grease. Wash and chop potatoes. Cut into bite sized pieces.
Boil potatoes in just enough water to cover the potatoes. Cook potatoes until tender about 20 minutes. Drain  potatoes. Mix 1/2 cup milk with flour to make a thicking sauce. Add to potato mixture. Then add corn with juice, cream and the rest of the milk, seasonings, cooked bacon, and sauteed onion.

If it's too thick for your taste buds, thin with a little water or milk! ( I love my soups thick!)

Doug Keough

To all our friends and family keep him in your prayers.

Thanks, Liz & Jamie

Day 17 - Doug's status did not change today. He remains on the the ventilator and sedated, but is stable. The ICU doctor says that he is just about at the level they want him to be at in order to remove the breathing tube. However, every time they try to wake him up, he gets very agitated about that tube and sets off the heart monitor alarms. His heart begins to beat irregularly and he cannot calm down to take the breaths he needs to take. 

Pray for him as they try to wake him up again tomorrow morning. Pray for peace, a calm spirit, and the ability to concentrate on the doctors words and not on the tube. Pray for the healing in his lungs that he will be able to breathe deeply without fear. Pray for his heart to keep a regular rhythm. Pray for his family as we wait for the day when he is off the ventilator.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength
an ever present help in time of need
Therefore I will not fear.

And the Trophy goes to...

 The Steelers!

Go Cardinals!

Red zone here we come! Well it was an AMAZING game.  We definitely tried!