I'm sorry for being a hermit lately. To make a long story short, I have a intracranial tumor that is NOT cancerous and surgery is NOT an option right now. I am not having severe difficulty because of it, just minor inconveniences, so for now, we are going to leave it alone. I am going to have to have repeat MRI's to keep an eye on it. So, all in all, I am fine, but that is the reason I have been quiet as of late.

The Lord has really been requiring me to lean more on Him. Through all the physical stuff and the day to day stuff as well. Gas prices are beginning to take it's toll on us and we are finding it harder and harder to keep up with our "normal" spending habits. (We do have a 15 passenger van to keep running, which takes about $125 to fill up.) We are trying to shave off the unnecessaries. Much to our kids dismay, the first thing we are going to have to cut out is all eating out. Many families we know have already had to do this to help with the rising cost of living. Dh and I talked today about writing out a months worth of meals to see if that helps us. We eat out less when the weeks meals are planned and shopped for ahead of time. With this large family, I should have already been doing this, but just haven't. So, I'm wondering if you could help. Can you send me your favorite inexpensive recipe? Little cost and big flavor is what I'm looking for. I know my friend at NoodleNest makes a pasta & chicken dish for the summer that I've forgotten. Noodlenest, please send that to me. I'd like to put that in my monthly meal list. Thanks for helping! If you want to email me with the recipe, let me know and I'll give you my email address.