...and baby makes SIX!

Sometime on Tuesday we will be welcoming grandchild #6 to our family! My sister Allison will be induced in the morning and Jack Lindon will make his arrival into this world. Jack will be the 5th grandson, so that will make 5 boys and 1 girl. (poor Jane!) Lindon was my Dad's middle name, so it holds special meaning. It will be bittersweet not to have Dad there tomorrow, but he promised he'd be watching over Allison and witnessing Jack being born. Allison told him to make sure he's at her HEAD and not where he can see the birth. :) (that's soooo "my family") I'll post a cutie pie picture tomorrow!

Today at the pulmonolgist made me miss my Dad. He died of lung cancer in February and most of the patients in that office were either on oxygen or had major breathing problems. I heard the words remission, chemo, stage 3, therapy....and it brought back so many memories. I don't want to sound like a public service announcement. I'm just telling things from a daughter's perspective, so forgive me if I ramble. My Dad smoked for 50 years. He started when he was just 12 years old, working on a farm in the 1940's. When his health declined because of ulcers 10 years ago, he quit smoking. He QUIT 10 years ago. Last June he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Lung Cancer is the biggest cancer among men and women today, but it is known as the silent killer. It is usually not diagnosed until the later stages, making it almost impossible to treat. Since he quit smoking 10 years ago, no one thought he might have lung cancer. Now he won't be here to see his 6th grandchild tomorrow. And I hate that. I hate that cigarettes ended my parents' marriage too early. I hate that they took him away too early from us. Yes, I know it was his choice to smoke for so long. I'm just speaking as his daughter who misses him SO much and if I can make a difference to even one person reading this, then it's worth writing. I know from seeing him smoke for so long that no amount of preaching will do any good. He even told me that several times. So I'm not preaching. I'm just saying that because of cigarettes, I lost my Dad sooner than I had to. And as I drove him to chemotherapy once a week last winter, he told me each and every time that he regretted those cigarettes. He regretted what they did to him and would do in the future to his family. I loved him no matter WHAT, though. I just wish he was here now and would have not made that choice to smoke. Unfortunately, that choice doesn't just effect the smoker. :( I love you so much, Dad!

Well, so....that was heavy to write, but something that has been on my heart since the doctor's visit today. By the way, I'm much improved and on the road to recovery. Thank you, Lord!

The video on my blog today is another by Nickel Creek. Good grief...they are so talented. And Chris Thile, the tall mandolin player...what a cutie. When we saw them in concert in New Jersey (on the Princeton campus) there were lots of young girls there to see Chris. I was so glad! I mean, boy bands have NOTHING on them in the talent department. :)

Today's recipe that I'll share is for Homemade Sloppy Joes. YUM. I haven't made these in quite a while and just typing that made me hungry for them! Once you make these, you'll NEVER go back to Manwiches. They rule! :)


Homemade Sloppy Joes

2 lbs. lean ground beef
½ 1 small onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 can Campbell’s tomato soup (undiluted)
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. ketchup
1 & 1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 Tbsp. mustard
1/2 Tbsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
8 hamburger buns
In a large saucepan or pot, brown the beef and onion over medium heat. Add green pepper. Cook and stir 5 minutes until meat is crumbly and browned; drain on a paper towel and return to pot. Add the next 9 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve on buns. Makes 8 large servings.
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I am so thankful for the new life that only God brings. I can't wait to meet my nephew tomorrow. :)
- Jennifer

"Let your words be the genuine picture of your heart." - John Wesley