FOUR

Ben just called me. On the phone. If you know my son, you know this is huge. He had a little news to share. One word. "Four". As in "I got a FOUR on my Florida Writes Test". If you know ME, then you remember my frustration over this test and why this is such a HUGE deal around here. To say that we are SO PROUD of him for his hard work is a crazy understatement. To say THANK YOU to Ryan for so PATIENTLY working EVERY NIGHT with Ben to sharpen his writing skills, also seems not enough.

*sigh*

Hope this "not so random" bit of goodness leaves you with a smile on your face today... oh, and I wish I could have seen Ben's face as he handed the phone back to his Dad. But honestly, I can perfectly visualize in my head the befuddled look... you know, the one that says, "She's-crying-hysterically-and-can-I-play-kick-ball-now?".

Four. I'm liking this.

This is not random...

Please pray for STELLAN, especially today as he is scheduled for VERY risky heart surgery. Click on his name, or the button with his picture (on the left) to read his story, and to get updates... I do not personally know this family, but in a "not so random" fashion, God has laid this random family on my heart. And yes, if this were ME and MY SON and MY FAMILY, I'd want the whole country praying, too.

Truly randomness... for real

I'm going to have to STOP saying that my husband is cute, not handy. I am going to miss that. Several years ago, my dad showed Ryan how to put up light fixtures... ceiling fans, etc... and he has since (by HIMSELF... you know I couldn't help him!) put up SEVERAL in our house. (by "since" I mean, in the last couple of months) Quickly, too. I am so impressed. Yesterday, he hung the chandelier I insisted on having for our stair well. Remember this? The part I want you to remember is the "Very High Stairwell" and the fact that there's no easy way to get to the center of it, even with a great ladder. My very handy husband (and yes, still cute) brought light into our home, and he didn't even get electrocuted doing it. Amazing. I'm sure he's hoping I will STOP going to Lowe's.

More random news:

Another favorite passtime of mine (beyond coming up with projects for my now-handy-still-cute-husband) is looking at my kids while they are sleeping. Since I work 3 nights a week, I really only get the opportunity 4 nights out of a week... and cut that down to 3 nights since one of my nights off, I am generally in a coma. I digress... as usual. Here's Carly, last night... note Blankie, all around her neck, as usual. She's taking HER to college with her and we are all ok with that. Next, note Elfy... beloved cat. So well loved, hey, why not just sleep ON her? Poor thing is half-way UNDER Carly... I guess she/he/whatever didn't really mind. Also fun: talking to the kids while they are sleeping. Yes, they answer back, and Yup, have even said, "Mom? I'm sleeping here..." Apparently I need a new hobby.

Falafel Recipe... Finally. I know.

Anyone who has spoken with my parents in the last month, or read their blog, knows they lived in Israel for 3 months this year and ate Falafels everyday! I was THRILLED to get a recipe for them emailed to me by www.hungry-girl.com today! Now... you KNOW I don't really cook, so Dad, could you whip some of these up for me and call me when dinner's ready??

Falafel Pita Pockets with Dill-icious Yogurt Dip

PER SERVING (1 pita pocket with 3 falafel balls and 3 tbsp. dip): 198 calories, 2.25g fat, 863mg sodium, 37g carbs, 8.5g fiber, 5g sugars, 10g protein -- POINTS® value 3*Our amazingly delicious baked take on the Middle East's most famous meal ROCKS!!!

Ingredients:

For Falafel Pockets

2 1/2 whole-wheat or high-fiber pitas

One 15-oz. can chickpeas,

well drained1 onion, very finely chopped

1/4 cup whole-wheat flour

3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley

1 1/2 tbsp. chopped garlic

1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tbsp. ground cumin

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. lemon juice

1/8 tsp. paprika, or more to taste

black pepper, to taste

Two 2-second sprays olive oil nonstick spray

For Dip

6 oz. plain fat-free yogurt

1 Persian cucumber, peeled and chopped (or another small cucumber, peeled, deseeded, and chopped)

1 tsp. dried dill

3/4 tsp. crushed garlic

1/4 tsp. saltblack pepper, to taste

Directions:Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place all ingredients for falafel (except for the pitas and nonstick spray) in a large bowl, and give them a good stir. Using a potato masher, mash well. Mixture should remain slightly chunky, not smooth.Spray a baking sheet thoroughly with a 2-second spray of olive oil nonstick spray.One at a time, take spoonfuls of mixture in your hands and form 15 balls, each about the size of a ping pong ball, and gently place them on the baking sheet. Spray the top of each ball with olive oil nonstick spray, for a total of about a 2-second spray.Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for dip in a blender or food processor, and pulse until just blended. Season to taste with black pepper and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Remove baking sheet from the oven, and carefully turn each ball over, gently reshaping if the bottoms have flattened. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 - 15 minutes, until golden brown and slightly crispy. Allow to cool and set for at least 5 minutes.

Cut the whole pitas into halves, toast or warm all pita halves slightly, and then fill each with three falafel balls and 3 tbsp. dip. Enjoy!

MAKES 5 SERVINGSHG Alternative! Enjoy your falafel 'n dip pita-free (wrapped in lettuce, over a salad, or straight from a plate!). A pita-less serving has 139 calories, 2g fat, 718mg sodium, 24g carbs, 6g fiber, 5g sugars, and 7.5g protein (POINTS® value 2*). Woohoo!

Opening Day at the Trop

Well, you knew it was coming, right? And you had to KNOW there would be a post regarding Opening Day... the big home opener. Of course, we were there... we've only missed ONE YEAR and that was because we were in Texas visiting Tracy's family, Renae's family, and meeting our new little niece, Keira. A valid reason to miss... This year was fantastic! We are proud Season Ticket Holders. Well, 20 game package, but STILL!

Just prior to the game starting, the team raised the banners to commemorate their awesome season last year! I am pretty sure there were tears in Ryan's eyes:) That was pretty cool...

Note: I do NOT like it when they call the manager "the Skipper". WHAT IS THAT??!?!! It REALLY annoys me and I really think the announcers need to STOP doing that. Anyways, here's Joe Maddon. He's pretty well loved around Tampa Bay and seems to be a pretty cool guy.

Here's Carly's Sweetie. That's what we call Evan Longoria. She's in love with him. She wanted me to take a "close picture" of him... so here's your picture, Carly... of your Sweetie, striking out. Nice. Actually, Ryan's pretty proud that she's in love with a Ray. Also, Nice.

Lest you think she's growing up too fast, this is what she REALLY did during "the boring parts" of the game (when Sweetie wasn't up)... Tracy, apparently she really DID want the Key Lime Dino. Loves that thing. She did tell me you can get her the Lemur next time. HA!

Ending scores... WE WON! 15-5. Sorry Yankees... HA! You know it's pretty bad around the 6th inning and BOTH teams start pulling out their best players because there's no point in getting them all tired. Yankees had their first baseman pitch an inning! yikes. Our favorite game highlight was watching Carlos Pena hit a grand slam... super fun! Whew! I'm tired, and I'm sure my kids are in a coma at school... obviously, we stayed until the end, because WE ARE MCGREGOR's!!! That's what we do! (and hey, the Yankees COULD have gotten 10 hits in the 9th... anything is possible! THERE! I said that for you, Mom. The Yankee "fan"...)

Weekend Update!

Yeah! Easter Weekend! Not sure why I don't have any better pictures of our whole weekend... but I think it might have something to do with THINKING my Dad took pictures so I didn't have to! He DID just get a really cool camera, so here's hoping! Anyways, here's our lovely family... Thank you to Carly, for WEARING the hat, because it's so cute! And hey, she SAID she'd wear a hat if I bought one, and then, of course said, "oh no I'm not..." well, you see the hat, right?!?! She didn't even complain about it, so at least it turned out ok in the end. Also, doesn't Ben look all grown up?!?!! Aggghhhhh! and he really is that tall.

We spent the day at Grammy's House, enjoying Dean, Tracy, and Torrey in addition to my parents and brother! Those kids had so much fun playing, playing, playing all weekend long.

Before Gram's, we went to church and enjoyed a huge celebration!!! Love Easter. And here's our little man, ELI! Isn't he darling?!?! Carly thinks she's his big sister, and she does a really good job with him. Thank you, Aunt Rochel for having a baby for Carly.

And THANK YOU to Auntie Tracy for bringing the cascarones! Real eggs emptied out and filled with confetti that you crack over someone's head. Hilarious! Especially hilarious would be Ben and Torrey holding Carly down to crack them on her head, while she giggled and giggled. I was STILL picking confetti out of her hair after her shower last night! Oh boy!

... the Father's Love

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon his cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Don't you LOVE this Phillips Craig and Dean song??!?!

Happy Easter!

Happy BIRTHday!!

We are excited to welcome a NEW NEPHEW to our family!

Matthias Terrance McGregor

6 pounds, 14 ounces

20 inches long

*pictures of the BABY coming soon!

(special thanks to Miggy, Elfy, and Cassidy for singing for our video!)

Planning some Fun for Dean

Dean and Tracy and Torrey are coming this week for a little Easter Fun! We are all very excited! I've been trying to find some REALLY fun things that I know Dean will enjoy... so far, our local Sam's Club is having some festivities on Saturday... Yipee!

Happy Girls

Well... Grammy's back! My parents safely returned from Israel, after living in Jerusalem for 3 months! We are so happy they are home. However, THIS picture was taken BEFORE they announced they were going back for 2 months, in September. Grrrrrrr.... We are happy to get to spend time with them again, and very happy that they are healthy and ambitious enough to travel and serve God all over the world. WELCOME HOME! I presume you want all your stuff back, huh?