You're Gonna Miss This

There are so many things I miss. My kids are 25 and 21 and my daughter (25) is married. How fast time flies. But to narrow it down to one specific memory---I miss the little house at 2810 Newsom Circle. It was barely 1000 square feet, one bathroom, two bedrooms, kitchen, tiny living room and a den that used to be the garage. Both of my kids were born there. Oh---how I dreamed of getting out of that nasty little house. It was old and outdated. 

But----I remember my daughter, then 3, walking with me (we only had one car)  as I went door to door selling Avon. Sometimes we would take the wagon. What a fun time for just the two of us. One Xmas she asked Mommy---how come Santa brings us Avon too??? She knew her stuff!!

I remember walking to the Hostess thrift store and buying outdated twinkies and cupcakes. What a bonding time. 

I remember calling all of my friends when my husband got a wonderful job in pharmaceuticals and said "GUESS WHAT I BOUGHT TODAY". It was a trash can for our kitchen!!!! We had been married 4 years and that was my big purchase. 

I remember going from garage sale to garage sale getting better furniture than what we had and being thrilled with it. I remember buying clothes in Country Club neighborhoods so that I would not have to spend the money on new clothes but bought really nice clothes "from the rich people". Little did I know then how truly rich I was. God had blessed me with everything I had ever dreamed of. I remember being in high school, a waitress, looking at a couple with two kids (a boy and girl) and stopping right there and praying--God--that is what I want some day. A husband, a boy and a girl. And what did God do?? He blessed me with exactly what I had asked for. God has blessed me far beyond what I could have ever imagined in life. And-----He continues to bless me. 

Sure---I love my house now----I love my furniture that came from a real store. I love buying clothes (on sale :) ) at a real mall and buying things for my grown kids. But yes----I do miss those first few years. 

Thank you God---for amazing days and a blessed 26 years.

Collin Andrew Pittman

Collin Andrew Pittman

was born March 12, 1988. Collin is the athlete in the family. He was born to have a ball in his hand. I think ball was probably his first word. Basketball, baseball but mostly----FOOTBALL. When he was little I did not want him to play because I was afraid he would get hurt. He said--No Mommy I will not ever play football (Age 3 probably). Soooooo first grade rolls around and he came home crying because there was a football team and he was not on it. So-----from 2nd grade on----FOOTBALL. What a great 10 years that was. We are so fortunate to have his football career on tape. From his first touchdown in 3rd grade to the sweat flinging off of his face from being hit in high school. Excitement, worry, fear, happiness, sadness, crying, screaming, laughing, cheering. We have had all the emotions. I would not trade a moment of them. He was good---real good. He runs a 4.5. He is fast. He was the running back of our 4A school. He was on the cover of the sports page 5 times his senior year and on the TV highlights 5 times. We miss football. But we are so so thankful that in ten years of playing (he took 5th grade off for those of you adding up 2nd grade on) he never was hurt. Sure--he turned an ankle, broke a finger or two--but nothing serious. Praise God.

But far beyond us being proud of Collin for sports---Collin is a Christian. A very faithful, strong Christian. He is a song leader at church. He smiles through every song. He loves God. We thank God for our son, Collin.

Brenna Marie Pittman

My first born, Brenna Marie Pittman

Brenna was born December 12, 1982. Dik and I had been married a year and a half when she was born. Wow---what a blessing. She was the perfect little girl, in every way. We never had any trouble from her 2s to her teens. She has the tenderest heart and only wants to please people. She was worried at about age 5 to spend the night with her best friend because if we had a fire---who would wake us up if she was gone??? She also never ate the last bite on her plate. Her grandma asked her why she did that and seh said because what if there is a little child goign through the trash to find something to eat---she wanted to leave them something. We loved each and every moment with Brenna. I guess the most irritating time was Jr. High. She was that silly 12-13 year old girl but still as precious as can be.  God blessed us more than we deserved with our daughter, Brenna.

Brenna age 3 days
Brenna age 3 months
Brenna's first Birthday!!!

Brenna Age 2

Brenna age 18 months at church with her mom and dad :)

Brenna age 2

Brenna hating looking like a clown for halloween. She loved it until she saw herself. :)

Brenna Jr. High

Brenna as "Alice in Wonderland" in high school Brenna in high school

Brenna college picture
High school Sr. Picture
ACU GRADUATION!!!!
The boy that stole her heart :)
Her bridal pictures

GORGEOUS :)

The happiest day of her life.

Family

A lot of you know how important my family is but some of you do not "know" my family. So I thougth I would post a few pictures and explanations of why my family is so special. 

First: 

Dik---my husband of 26 years.

  

What can I say about the man who stole my heart. We met at ACU right after I turned 18 years old. I was sweet 18 and never been kissed. Did not date in high school. Had dated one other person at ACU, who ended up being a wonderful friend and more like a big brother. When he saw Dik and I together he said "I think you should marry him".  It was his eyes that I first noticed. Then his smile. This picture still melts me. :) 

We dated for two WEEKS and then did not speak for two YEARS. All because of "other people". But through a lot, alot, A LOT of prayer, God brought us back together, my junior year. I prayed, on my birthday, at the beginning of the semester that all I wanted for my birthday 

was for Dik to talk to me. Well there I was in the student center and he walked right up to me. We ended up living blocks apart and he showed up at my house one day. God gave me the greatest blessing. We were married after my Sr. year in June. What a wonderful day. I would do it all over again, every minute. I have had a wonderful 26 years and pray for another 26 to go with it. 

Our Family Picture in 2001

Dik Baptizing our son. 

Us on a ski trip

Dik and Collin

Us at Central Park

Dik's 50th Birthday last November

Next to come---Brenna--our first born. 

Weight Watcher Dinner

Hey for anyone on Weight Watchers, I made a dinner tonight and it was GREAT!! Even Collin liked it!!! So here are the recipes. I would love for anyone who hsa a great Weight Watcher recipe to let me know!!! Thanks!!

Easy Enchilada CasseroleS

5 Points Per Serving

1 pound ground turkey breast

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups each: tomato sauce and enchilada sauc I used tomato sauce and picante sauce

1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans and juice

12 corn tortillas

3 cups grated fat-free cheddar cheese (10 oz.)

1/4 cup sliced black olives

In a large, heavy skillet sprayed with nonstick spray, brown ground turkey and chopped onion over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Add tomato sauce, enchilada sauce and beans with juice. Heat until simmering. Put a layer of meat sauce in a large casserole sprayed with nonstick spray. Add a single layer of 3 tortillas. Add another layer of meat sauce. Cover with 1/4 of the cheese and olives. Repeat three more layers of 3 tortillas, meat sauce, cheese and olives. Bake in a preheated 325º oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until hot.Serves 10.Per serving: 266 cal. (22% from fat); 24.4 g protein; 6.5 g fat (0.78 g sat.); 26.5 g carbo.; 1,021 mg sodium; 33 mg chol.; 6.7 g fiber.Exchanges: 2 1/2 lean meat, 11/2 bread.

Dessert: APPLE PIE!!!!

Was POINTS® Value: 9Now POINTS® Value: 4Servings: 8Preparation Time: 25 minCooking Time: 50 minLevel of Difficulty: Moderate Part pie, part cobbler, this dish is a must for fall parties and get-togethers.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp sugar

3 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, chilled and cut up

2 Tbsp water, or more if necessary

4 medium apple(s), McIntosh, peeled and thinly sliced

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/3 cup uncooked old fashioned oats

5 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400ºF.To make the crust, combine 1 cup of flour and 2 teaspoons of sugar in a large bowl or food processor. Add 3 tablespoons of chilled margarine and process (or mix together with your fingers if you do not have a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and process or mix until a manageable dough forms. Press dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Pinch the edges to form a decorative rim; set aside.To make the filling, combine apples, 1/4 cup of sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a large bowl; toss to coat apples. Arrange mixture in prepared piecrust.To make the topping, combine oats, 5 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar and melted margarine in a small bowl; sprinkle over apples.Bake until apples are tender and crumb topping is golden brown, about 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.