Last Week in April...

Hello!

Hope you are well! Things have been moving fast - can't believe that the month of APRIL is almost behind us! Here is some of our highlights this week!

The Alabama Tornados - Andy Hayes is okay - just very shaken up by the tragedy and devastion left by the tornadoes. The university closed down the campus for Wednesday - and Andy headed to his dad's home in Hamilton, AL. Tuesday night. Hamilton was hit by a smaller tornado of the same storm - they received damage; but a small town in the same county - Hackleburg - was totally blown away. Andy's house in Tucaloosa received damage when a tree fell on the house - but that is relatively minor compare to everyone else in the area. This storm has been noted as one of the "deadliest storms" ever. One thing that Andy has been taught is how to pitch in and clean up after bad storms - he is putting that to good use this week! It's just so hard cleaning up, while searching and rescuing for others. There have been so many that did not make it through the storm and that's hard to deal with also. I SO APPRECIATE all the prayers and concerns from sooooooooo many. We have such good, Christian friends - I love you all.

So... did you get up at 4AM and watch the Royal Wedding this Friday? We caught the "official kiss" - watching the reruns all day today! GING was up this morning watching every minute! She did that before during my high school years - watch Prince Charles and Lady Diana tie the royal knot! She's such a british-royal "groupie"! LOL!

Aric's gymnastic's recital was also this week. Ms. Kim changed the

recital to the month of April, instead of May - to miss the 100+ degree weather and also the end of school mad rush of events - it worked out just fine! He received his 3rd year medal this year. Ms. Kim also employs Aric to work with 3 other boy groups - and he loves it! Our "Soda Shop Bop" recital was a totally success!

The last TAKS test was given Friday! YAHOO! With my husband being the testing coordinator of the school district - this has been a LONG week - but it has gone without a hitch (knock on wood) and he has survived! So thankful! Our students really tried hard and hopefully did well. They all really took it seriously. (Now if our Junior & Seniors will all have a safe PROM - it's tomorrow...) We only have 4 more weeks until graduation - OH YEAH! That sounds soooo good!

Here's a quick and easy cake recipe for this week's recipe swap! My "men in the house" - didn't much care for it - but everyone at school LOVED it and I promised the recipe to be on the blog. KV hates pineapple and oranges - that was his hang-up! But for flavor and taste - plus super easy - this is a great cake!

Mandarin Orange Cake

1 yellow cake mix

1 large can Mandarin Oranges

1 tsp orange extract

3/4 cup oil

4 eggs

Mix ingredients together and spoon into a 9x13 greased pan. Cook for 38-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool completely and add frosting. Refrigerate any leftovers!

Frosting

1 Cool Whip

1 3-oz Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 small can Crushed Pineapple

Mix together and spread on top of cooled mandarin cake.

Last pics to show ya, is my Card Swap for April. The rules were - "no rules" and w/ a "Birthday Theme". I came up with a birthday cake card that had a "surprise" inside. My card was made w/the Stampin Up "Tempting Turquoise" d/s designer papers and features CANDLES in the middle! What do ya think? It's "gaudy" but fun - just like a birthday should be, huh! LOL! Stephanie is sure to have pictures of the other card swaps soon on her blog - check it out here! They all were great projects for the swap this month. Next swap for MAY is - NO RULES... hmmmm! Should be fun!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have an AWESOME weekend and all goes as planned! Remember to hug the ones you love the most - until next time!