"you are not alone..." M.J.

I went to the doctor yesterday and left feeling very good about my whole tummy situation. Dr. Fontenot said that she thinks it's IBS which is apparently a very common problem. She said I have the opposite problem than most people with IBS have. (I'll spare the details) But it seems to be mostly when I eat out which she said could have something to do with the way the meal is prepared at resturants. I don't know.. but I do know that we've been cooking alot lately because it is cheaper and easier on my belly. So, she prescribed me some medicine to take before I go out to eat to help easy my stomach/nerves of the fear of my stomach getting upset while stuck in a resturant. She told me I'm not crazy and that many people feel this way and have this problem so that was very comforting.

Now, I can't wait to go out to eat Joe's Pizza tomorrow night with Josh and Jaclyn! I will try out the new meds before I go because I don't want stomach pains to get in the way of my good time. I LOVE Joe's Pizza! Josh and Jaclyn are a couple friend of ours from church. They are so sweet. They are getting married November 14th and we couldn't be happier for them! They are so cute and so much fun. Hopefully Scott will get to come home for their wedding. Josh is a lawyer here in Texarkana and Jaclyn is an aide at Pleasant Grove Elementary this year, hoping for a teaching position next year. I'll post pictures of our dinner date later if I remember to take pictures.

Hope everyone has a good rest of the week! :)

family fun

This past weekend we had a great time. Once again, we hit up Farmer's Market first thing Saturday morning. We told our new friend, Tracey Youngblood (the beef lady) that we've told several people about how great our beef tips were we got from her last weekend and had mentioned it on facebook and had several people interested and we were sending them their way. She was so excited and so for that she gave us a lb and 1/2 of ground beef along with the lb and 1/2 we were already buying. SWEET! We got some fresh eggs then stopped at the store and got sausage and biscuits and went on to Atlanta to cook breakfast and be with Scotty's mom for the morning. She had Ashtyn so we got to play with her all morning. She is SO much fun! We love being with her.

We left my mother-in-law's around 2 and headed to Linden to visit with Scott's Maw Maw and Granny (his dad's mother and his dad's grandmother). They are so funny! His Granny, bless her heart, is out of her mind a little bit.. she's been having spells and she kinda makes things up that aren't true and Maw Maw tries to correct her and it's just too funny. But the lady is 90 something! She's so precious and so so sweet. So is Scotty's Maw Maw for keeping (putting up with) her and Granny's husband, Mr. James. We showed them all our CanCun pictures and just sat around and visited for a long time.

Before we left, we gathered up all of our China that was passed down to us as a wedding gift from Granny. At my bridal shower, (a year and 1/2 ago!) they brought a place setting rather than bringing all the pieces. So, since then all we've had is just the place setting. We finally got the rest of our China and it is beautiful! I absolutely love it! Now, we need a China cabinet because until then it will be in the attic! We weren't really in a hurry to get it, but I'm glad we have it now. Here's some pictures of our pretty China.

And here's our hamburgers that we made Sunday with our farmer's market goodies. We use to make burgers like this all the time! Chop up onions, jalapeno's and bell pepper and mix it in with the meat and of course season it as usual.. it is very delish! We had hamburgers left over for 2 more meals. :) Healthy, I know. But, they are organic! Excuse me, grassfed.. even better! Also, I was very bad and made onion rings. I've decided anything fried is going to be good, so it's time I stop frying foods then acting like I'm so shocked that they are so delicious.. of course they are good, what's not good fried?!? Oh and I also made homemade french fries (not fried). Just cut up potatoes seasoned with Italian dressing, salt and pepper and bake them!

ALSO, I made Katie's (Rachael Ray's) Parmesan Crusted Tilapia one night this week and Scott said "Welcome to flavor town" Cracked me up! He's been watching too much Guy on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Thanks Katie, we absolutely L-O-V-E-D it! Check out those mashed potatoes.. what a serving! This must have been Scott's plate ;) They are garlic mashed potatoes, also Rachael Ray. This was actually a 30 minute meal for me!

wenzel's weekends

Last weekend was wooonderful! Time is very precious these next few weeks and last weekend we just wanted to relax and be around the house and enjoy eachother. And we did just that! Thursday, the washing machine overflowed into the kitchen area where our breakfast table is and all in the carpet underneath the washer and dryer was completely soaked. The washing machine just filled up with water and the water kept running and overflowed. So, we had a washing machine filled to the top with water in it and water ALL over the floor. Luckily it didn't get into the kitchen area and get under the stove and cabinets or anything. It really could have been alot worse. Friday night Scott ripped up the old nasty carpet and put down laminant floors. Here's the before and after and a picture of me sitting there watching him at the breakfast table in the middle of our kitchen. I had a beer and organized my recipe book while he fixed it all up. :) And we got a new washing machine! Fun stuff
























Saturday morning we got up and went to Farmer's Market. There's a lady there who has grass fed beef, pork and goat meat. I haven't ever been to a farmer's market with meat, but she had some and we didn't have any plans for dinner so we decided to try some out. We got beef tips from her and thought we'd do kabobs. We also picked up some potatoes, jalapenos, onion, bell peppers and okra. The beef was VERY yummy and so were all the veggies! It was a lb. of beef which is alot for just us two, so with the left overs we made Philly Cheesesteaks and fried okra for dinner on Sunday. OHHH MYYY It was so delish! Scott had never even had a cheesesteak until then. We've seen them several times on food network here lately and they always look so good but I've never heard of anywhere around here that has good ones. So we decided to make our own with the left over meat! Now we really don't fry much, at all. We try to eat pretty healthy at home. But, fried okra just sounded too good! We saw somewhere at some point on food network that someone used pancake batter instead of just flour for frying something, so we tried that and man was it good!

We went to Home Depot a couple of times, Target, by Mom and Dad's, church, and did alot around the house that we've been putting off. It was a great productive but relaxing weekend.

P.S. We still don't know what's up with my tummy. I did the lactose test and I'm not lactose intolerant. Which I didn't think I was but whatever. And I'm going to a different doctor on the 25th. I'm keeping a diary of my diet and when it gets upset until my doctors visit and I'm hoping that will help her to be able to know exactly what it is. It's just so random is what's most frustrating. But from the looks of the pictures above.. it hasn't slowed my eating down too much!

Ernest's Orleans

Scott will be leaving for Witchita Falls, TX September 8th (Whitney and Matt's anniversary date) until December 10th for training with the Air Force. It's a school for "life support" which basically means he'll be getting all the equipment ready for the pilots that they would have to use in the case of an emergency. His job (Progressive) has been 100% supportive of him going. They have actually been amazing! He's had his own HR person assigned to him these past few weeks while they get everything in line. Come to find out, we can keep our health insurance with Progressive and they are going to pay him the difference of what he normally makes and what the Air Force will be paying him. Pretty awesome! So, GO PROGRESSIVE! They totally support their military men and women! We are oh so blessed for him to be there!

So, last weekend Scotty had drill for his last time this year in Shreveport so I went with him! We stayed at a hotel close to base and he came to pick me up at lunch Saturday and Sunday then I took him back to base so I could have the car for the afternoon. I just laid around and did whatever and nothing at all. Went to Target, visited with Aunt Martha, Uncle Dave and the girls, slept in late and enjoyed big breakfasts at the hotel. It was very nice and relaxing. But, I must say the best part of the trip was Ernest's Orleans! I've passed by it a million times and just always knew it was a nice restaurant, never really cared to go. But, Scott for some reason has always wanted to go. He's got an eye for those places sometimes. So, we tried it out Saturday night! It was sooo good and sooo much fun! Scott said it was THE BEST meal he has ever had! We had marinated crab claws for an appetizer. He stopped me after his first bite of fillet mignon, grabbed my hand and said "this is the BEST bite of steak I have ever had in my life." We are serious about food :) I had crab stuffed red snapper with a side of asparagus. It was delish! Along with two glasses of wine and a nice little dance before we left. They had a dance floor with a piano player and guitarist. It was alot of fun! But, alot of money! I don't think we'll be back anytime soon, but we'll definitely be back for a special occasion. We didn't get a good picture of us while we were there and we're upset that we didn't! But, here's a pic of us at the casino afterwards.

What am I going to eat?

I've always joked and said if I just quit eating cheese I'd probably lose 10 lbs in a week because I eat so much of it. I loooove cheese! I buy the laughing cow cheese and babybel cheese to have as a snack after work. I can kill a bowl of queso at Zapata's. Baked potatoes, burgers, turkey sandwiches, grilled cheese, tomato soup with cheese.. The more cheese, the better!



Well, for about a month now I've had some major stomach problems. I haven't really been able to put my finger on what it is. I've kept a somewhat mental diary of what I eat and what messes up my stomach and it seems to be the "deli select" turkey, cheese, milk, beef.. and then just random things sometimes. I was thinking maybe it's just IBS. It's been very frustrating and every day I can't even enjoy my lunch because I'm worried about how my stomach may react.



So, today Scott and I came home for lunch and before I even ate lunch, it hit me. I ate a bowl of cheerios this morning and a quaker's granola bar about 10:30. I just started crying because it's so annoying that I hadn't even eaten in an hour and out of nowhere, BAM it hit me! It's just so weird. So, Scott made me call in sick for the rest of the day and go to the doctor. I hate calling in sick, I always feel like they think I'm lying. Anyway, my boss was very nice about it and it of course was no big deal so I went to the doctor. The doctor said that he thinks I'm Lactose Intolerant. Which almost made me cry again.. seriously!!!! I mean if I can't have dairy products, what am I going to eat? Every grocery list starts with milk, eggs, bread, cheese.. well, so does the list of what NOT to eat if you are lactose intolerant!



I'm going in Friday morning for a Hydrogen test to test for Lactose Intolerance, Fructose Malabsorption and Overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Hopefully this test will answer all my questions!



Kind of a boring post.. but that's what's going on in my life right now! :)

Ashtyn Grace is 1 already!

Uncle Scotty hangin out with the birthday girl

Sweet girl opening her birthday clothes

Our sweet niece, Ashtyn turned 1 on July 10th! Unfortunately we missed her birthday party on the 4th of July because we were at Fairfield Bay, but the day before her birthday Clay and Hope brought her over to play and eat dinner. Ashtyn was excited about her new clothes and little push toy Aunt Amy and Uncle Scotty got her. Actually, I don't think she has a clue about what's going on, but we were excited. :)



When the Burn's all left our house there were traces of Ashtyn all throughout the house. It made me laugh and wonder how anyone with children can keep their house clean. Then, I realized, who cares if the house is clean, kids are so much fun! There were finger prints all over the glass coffee table and the windows in the living room. I stepped on a spoon in the guest bedroom. I found a candle in the middle of our bedroom. A cutting board and plastic bowl drug out of the cabinet in the kitchen. Ashtyn is a MESS and I love it!!! She is just too cute for words and I love chasing her around. She's just a complete doll!

Fairfield Bay

WOW! We have been going to Fairfield Bay, Arkansas now for 16 years! My parents have a time share with Fairfield Resorts which are located all over the US but we have always chosen to go to the Natural state every year. Mom and Dad don't like traveling a far distance which I can definately understand considering us 4 kids were not always the most pleasant on long car rides. Especially me, I must admit. Paul was always breathing too heavy or Doc stunk or Dad was picking his nose, it was always something driving me crazy!!! But, looking back, I'm glad we always had Fairfield Bay.. we have had the best time up there and have made a million memories and continue to every year. It is beautiful and very relaxing there. I miss getting to go for the whole week and just veg out by the pool and EAT whatever I want ALL day long!



This year, Grandma Betty, Aunt Martha, Uncle Dave, Lara and Jessie went with us! The Boswell's actually went with us when Luke was 2, so about 14 years ago. The girls of course were too young to remember anything. I know they had a great time all week. The girls enjoyed hanging out with Luke and Paul all week by the pool, playing putt putt, bowling, playing games and I'm sure eating some yummy meals prepared by Aunt Martha and Mom.



Scott and I only got to go for a three day weekend, but we soaked it up while we were there. Hopefully, next year we can go and stay for longer. Can't complain when we just got back from a lovely vacation in Mexico, though!