::Dinner Plans #20::

Wow, has it been awhile! I'm so happy to be back and writing again. Writing is a stress reliever for me...I always feel so much more relaxed after completing a post or writing in my journal.

Last week was a busy one, with my last day of school in the middle. This year, the last day of school is one I will never forget...

At 2:45am, I woke up to my phone ringing vibrating off the table. My 32 week pregnant-with-twins sister had called. Her husband was out of town for work, her two children fast asleep in their beds. And I missed the call. I had to try her 10 times before she answered, and all she could ask was if I would call Mom.

Can you guess where this story is going?

And isn't it amazing how, at 32 years old, moms are still the ones we call when something isn't right?

My sister had woken up around 1:45, needing to use the bathroom. She did, then let her 2 dogs out, then started the dryer, since the washing machine had completed its cycle. At 2:15, she felt like she had to poop. So she did, but her stomach was still hurting. She started making phone calls to my parents -- they don't have a phone in their room, and my dad's cell phone was on silent. Unfortunately, my mom isn't so reliable with her cell phone. She never knows where it is.

When I finally got a hold of Sister, she had made herself a warm bath and continued to tell me she felt like she had to poop.

"Get off the phone. I'm calling an ambulance," I said as I buckled Kid into his car seat and started the car. In my mind, I knew those babes were coming. And I wasn't about to deliver twins. Nor was my husband, who was in his car just seconds behind me.

I arrived at their house first and got in through the front door (luckily, she had unlocked it). The EMTs arrived shortly thereafter and got her into the ambulance. Scott (the first EMT) mentioned that the contractions were about 5 minutes apart.

I buckled into the front seat of the ambulance. Hubs stayed at Sister's house with Kid, and our niece and nephew. As Sister was loaded into the ambulance, contractions were about a minute apart (talk about a fast labor!).

Twelve minutes after leaving my sister's house via ambulance, Baby A was born at 3 pounds 9 ounces. Baby B made her arrival 18 minutes later feet first, at the hospital. She weighed in at 4 pounds 2 ounces.

My parents made it to the hospital before Baby B was born. The three of us were able to watch Baby B be born -- what a cool experience. I called my brother in law as soon as Baby A was born. I imagine that he threw his things together as fast as possible, found a taxi, and got to the airport in no time. He got to the hospital by 10:30am.

By 5am, I needed to get home... there was a last day of school to be had! I got in the shower, got ready, and headed to work. Arriving at 6:45. It was the earliest I had been there all year. And it was the last day of school.

Needless to say (even though, after I say it right now, I will have said it twice), I will never forget this year's last day of school!

And now, it's Father's Day. My husband is celebrating his 2nd Father's Day. My dad, his 33rd (today is also my sister's birthday). My brother-in-law is celebrating his 4th Father's Day, this time as a father of 4.

But now, the meal plan...

Sunday: Dinner at Ike's for my sister's birthday. It was delicious!

Monday: Chicken Noodle Soup. It's supposed to be rainy and slightly chilly this whole week. Chicken noodle soup seems fitting.

Tuesday: Pot Roast with mushrooms and carrots, and "faux-tatoes" on the side. I'll make a baked potato for my husband though. He doesn't care for the cauliflower puree. I, for one, think it's delicious. And so does Kid. But Kid will eat anything.

Wednesday: Venison stir-fry. Nothing really exciting about that!

Thursday: Beer-butt Chicken on the grill. This is a summertime tradition, and I love it. It makes such deliciously moist chicken!

Friday: Steaks & grilled vegetables. I'm thinking carrots and zucchini. I know the hubs would like a nice salad with this meal.

Saturday: Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. The Hubs loves a good casserole. I'd be a mean wife if I didn't indulge him from time to time. I've never tried this one, but everything I've tried of PW's has been absolutely delightful. And, have you watched her show?