Thursday Thirteen

I had a bit of a rough time this past week and have found myself getting frustrated over little things with the kids, so I thought I would make a list to remind me why I am truly grateful to be given the best job ever!

Refresh myself just a bit!

Thirteen Things I love about being a mom.

1. I always wanted to be a mom. Couldn't wait until I had a family of my own!

2. I love how when the kids are not feeling well, only mommy can make them feel better

3. I love when I see those smiles of true happiness over something little I did - like make them their favorite dinner.

4. I love being able to stay home with them and give them that security that I am always here.

5. First smiles, first steps, first words. All major things in the life of a mommy.

6. First day of bringing a new baby home. Especially when I brought Ethan home, I knew my life would be better than ever. (I am tearing up even as I type that!)

7. Starting fun traditions with each child and knowing that something so little can mean the world to them.

8. Knowing that God has trusted me enough to bless me with 4 little angels to take care of for him. That is such a great honor!

9. To watch how Jason has went from being an adorable toddler (I joke that I fell in love with him, before his father;)to a handsome young man. He takes such pride in his sports and school work and it's awesome to see where he is heading.

10. I love to see how Ethan grows each day in his love of art and music, how he enjoys his mom helping at school and teaching in Awana. That he is growing into his own person, but still likes his mommy to be close and involved (yes, I am creating a mommas boy- so hard not to do :p )

11. For my independent little Elena. It is so refreshing to spend time with her. She is such a little grown up and although doesn't go full force into everything, she carefully selects what she does with her time. Her teachers say she is a joy to have in class and she truly is a joy to have in my life! She looks at life in such a sweet and loving way, I have to stop and look through her view sometimes and it makes life so much better!

12. My little Natalie. Even though she is approaching the terrible twos, even when she is being naughty, she is so subtle and sweet. She truly makes me laugh every day. In her expressions, in her tiniest amount of speech (she doesn't really talk) She is my sweetest little baby and most likely my last so she can stay this size forever if she likes!

13. There have been so many babies born lately, I love to remember each of the kids birth stories over and over. Amazing how you can remember every detail of those days. I could tell you everything I ate, what I was wearing, what the weather was like.Every detail. Those days stand still in time in my mind. Wonderful, truly wonderful I hope I never forget them :)

Wordless Wednesday - Jason our teenager - He's 13!

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Break Time and Nightmares

This past week was a crazy one. Ethan and Elena were on Spring Break. It was the first year that this really affected us. When they are in preschool they are only gone a few hours. It is amazing to me how having just one kid home everyday changes the dynamics of things in the house. So in my quest to keep my kids from driving me crazy with boredom, I scheduled the week up. Oh I do believe I should of scheduled just a tad of downtime in there!! We had school friends over, we had cousins spend the night on two of the nights, birthday parties. Lots of time spent with people. I do so love to spend time with others, but this Monday could not come soon enough!! As I dropped Ethan off at school today it was such a relief to get back into my weekly groove.
The thought that keeps lingering in the back of my mind is that summer is right around the corner! AHHHHH! No, I enjoy having all my kids home and being with them, I just am turning into one of those people that gets a little off when my house constantly looks like a tornado and we are always on the go with no time to stop and clean up, you know? We keep toying with the idea of selling and building a new house and that idea just keeps getting pushed further into the future. I just cannot imagine trying to keep this place show ready with these little maniacs underfoot!
The other thing going on this past few days is a bit strange, Everyone in our house has been having nightmares. We haven't changed the time of day we eat dinner, or had any new foods. Just weird. What else is weird is the story of the week. (Elena usually wants the same story reread a million times) The story this week is the Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream. Elena has been in our bed due to nightmares, Ethan has been in our bed because of dreams of scary ghosts, Bill woke up having weird dreams and I had a dream the other night that won't leave me alone.

I dreamt that I met a new friend and we really clicked. She offered to watch Elena for me when I had something to do with the baby. Well when Elena came home she had on different clothes and I started questioning her about different things. It turns out this girl, let her boyfriend come over and he molested my baby!!! Oh I woke up almost sick. Where did that dream come from? I ran into her room and just held her. My heart goes out to anyone who ever has had to deal with that. I try so hard to protect my kids. That dream just made me think so much about how easily they can be subjected to hurt. I pray they never will have to endure anything of that nature, but it makes you think about how trusting you can be with your dearest ones. I talk to all of the kids often about what to do or say if someone does anything inappropriate to them. I just hope and pray they never have to use it!!

So here we are in a brand new week. I am not posting my meal plan this week as it has nothing new on it. Just my boring old menu. I am gonna try and check out some of the other meal plans and put together a fairly new menu next week. Well my tornado of a house with all of it's dirty laundry, dusty shelves and smudgy windows is calling me.. Better tend to it!

Wordless Wednesday - A Fun Ride

As always for more interesting wordless wednesday posts, go here or check out 5 minutes for mom!!

Menu Plan Monday

Last week I completely missed mpm! It's hard to believe how easily you can get into a menu rut! I sat there looking at my week and had no idea what to put on it! Nothing was popping out at me. I just went out and stocked the freezer so I have ample menus I could choose from but do you think I could think of something? Nope, Nada. Zip.. Luckily with Easter being yesterday and having a ham dinner here we have some leftovers that have helped me with this decision this week. Now I am still working on tonight's meal and any suggestions would be welcome! My MIL brought over rolls for yesterday in this big bread bowl.

We didn't eat it and I thought maybe I would put like a pot pie or something in it. But I don't want it to get soggy. I am gonna peruse some recipe options and see if I can come up with something. It was a pretty bread display. I'm sure I will find something to do with it.

So that was Monday, here is the rest of our week.

TUESDAY: Ham and 15 bean soup, corn bread twists

WEDNESDAY: Beef Roast with Veggies

THURSDAY: Beef and Noodles, Green beans (leftover beef from roast)

FRIDAY: Spaghetti, meat balls salad and garlic bread

SATURDAY: My stepsons 13th b-day. Dinner out his choice.
SUNDAY: my ss and both sister in laws b-day dinner at Aunt's house.

As far as dessert for the week. I believe it will be cake, cake and more cake!

2 meals I don't have to cook this week! Gotta love that:) Have a blessed week and Happy MPM!

Be sure to check out Laura's blog for more menu planning ideas!

I've been Egged!

Ok, maybe not quite the traditional prankster way of being Egged. Thank Goodness! Yesterday morning my neighbor is calling me at 8AM to tell me their is a shiny gift bag on my porch. (I don't believe she put it there, she is just a a bit nosey.) So I go out to get it and there is a bag with this sign in it. (see below) plus a little one that says you've been egged. There is a ceramic egg, a candle, an Easter potholder, a package of marshmallow peeps and some other Easter candies. Along with it it has some Bible verses and instructions on how to pass on the Easter Joy. You in turn are to 'EGG' somone else's house. Pass on the ceramic egg, but fill another package with treats and deliver it to someone's door without them knowing who sent it. Kind of a nice little start to our morning I must say. I have a feeling who the trickster is, but the kids had fun thinking of who we would do this to next. So whoever you are, if I am correct. Thank you and Happy Easter!

Some pretty heavy stuff

This last few days have been one of those times of curiosity and questioning from my 6 year old. Questions we have been so lucky not to have to deal with answering yet have now surfaced. I am so thankful that I had a moment to ask the Lord for help with my answers instead of him catching me in the middle of making dinner with a screaming toddler hanging from my legs. The first one I was hit with was How do we get all the food in the world? How do all the plants, trees keep growing and how are new ones made? okay those were easy ones, didn't have to think to hard about how I would word those. Pretty basic nature stuff. Farmers, seeds, etc. etc. Of course asking those questions about reproduction naturally lead to the next question of How come there are soo many people, how do babies get in Mommy's bellies? Where do babies come from? Oh boy! There it is. It's out there.... How much can I tell him that will satisfy his inquiry without going into much detail. Luckily I was able to get around it without having to say a word about the actual act. YAY!! When I thought we were done with all the deep answers to lives biggest mysteries he asks "MOM is there REALLY an Easter bunny?? I left that one entirely up to him ;p I was worn out from the last question :)

Wordless Wednesday - Hippity-Hoppity Easter is on its way!

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Contest

Lindsay at Splat Designs is having a blog design contest. Visit her site and sign Mr. Linky by April 1st to be included in the drawing. If you win, this is what you get...A custom template with colors, textures, sidebar categories, and a signature added to your blog.

Fun Friday meme

I've been tagged by Stacey for this fun little meme.
1. What time did you get up this morning? About 7:00 AM
2. Diamonds or pearls? DIAMONDS
3. What was the last film you saw in the cinema? Norbit, we actually went to see music & lyrics and were sold tickets to the wrong film. Too late to change movies.
4.What is your favorite tv show? American Idol
5. What did you have for breakfast? Did I eat breakfast? Oh! a few peanut butter m&m cookies. nice and healthy :)
6. What is your middle name? Lee
7. What is your favorite cuisine? It's a tie between Italian and mexican
8. What foods do you dislike? There are quite a few foods I dislike, I am pretty picky.
9. What are your favorite chips? Chocolate
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? I don't listen to whole CDs I download songs online individually.
11. What kind of car do you drive? Dodge Durango
12. Favorite sandwich? Hamburger straight from the grill with lettuce and tomato on a toasted bun
13. What characteristics can't you stand? dishonesty
14. What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and a V-neck t-shirt, or capris and white tennies or sandles
15. If you could go anywhere on vacation where would it be? Someplace warm and secluded with just my husband
16. Wore at sixteen? I don't remember
17. Where would you want to retire? On the road. We want to travel when we retire
18. Favorite time of day? Early morning before the whole world wakes up.
19. Where were you born? In Ohio
20. Favorite events to watch? I like to go to Indians and Browns games
21. Coke or Pepsi? Coke
22. Beavers or Ducks? What kind of crazy question is this??
23. Are you a morning person or night owl? morning person
24. Pedicures or manicures? Pedicures
25. What did you want to be when you were little? An artist, until I discovered I had no artistic talents.
26. What is your best childhood memory? Way to many to pick from, mostly Holidays with extended family.
27. Ever been to Africa? No
28. Ever been toilet papering? yes
29. Been in a car accident? yes- a few too many
30. Favorite day of the week? They all kind of blend together. Are there different days in the week? I would say Sunday since I usually have everyone together on that day.
31. Favorite flower? purple petunias
32. Favorite restaurant? Macaroni Grill
33.Favorite ice cream? Moose Tracks
34. Favorite fast food restaurant? Wendy's
35. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None! Almost perfect score:)
36. From whom did you get your last e-mail? Haven't checked e-mail today, I think the last one I opened was from Shaunda yesterday.
37. What store would you like to max out your credit card? Target, Kohl's
or Old Navy. Although I don't use credit cards. All my shopping is done with cold hard cash :) Soo glad we have all those stores close to us now! :)
38. Last person you went to dinner with? husband and kids at Casa Fiesta
39.What are you listening to right now? My quiet house since everyone is sleeping:)
40. What is your favorite color? purple
41. How many tattoos do you have? none
42. How many are you sending this e-mail to? Anyone who reads my blog
43. What time did you finish this blog entry? 10:31 Pm
44. Favorite magazine? Family Fun.
45. Coffee or tea? Coffee! Oh how I miss my coffee. I was doing great, not even wanting it and now Easter is almost here. 9 more days and I can have it again! Whoo hoo!
46. Do you tan easily or burn? burn, then tan I was trying to catch some rays today. Beautiful!
47. Do you color your hair? Every 5 months a different color!
48. What is the first car you ever purchased without your parents assistance?1984 Dodge Aries, Grey with an awesome AM radio.
49What is your most dreaded household chore? cleaning in general is dreaded to me. hee, hee. I'll say laundry because it NEVER goes away!
50. Who do you tag to do this meme? I'll pick Rachel. see if she is up for the challenge

Thursday Thirteen

Okay I always see these and thought since I am so excited for spring to be here I will share 13 things that I love about it!

Thirteen Things I love about SPRING

1. I love to wake up and hear the birds chirpping outside my window just inviting me to get up and start the day.

2. I love the way a warm sunny day feels after being cold for so long.

3. I love my flowers peeking through the ground and start to bloom.

4. I love being able to start getting outside and taking walks - my favorite way to get some excercise.

5. I love my kids being able to play outside and get their energy out -cabin fever is noo fun.

6. I love the first time being able to fire up the grill and cook outside. Food always tastes better when it's grilled.

7. I love being able to open all the windows and just let the breeze blow through the house.

8. Something about spring makes me want to clean the whole house. It feels so good to get all the winter junk out.

9. My husband just planted a flowering pear tree for me last year, so I am anxious to see if it blooms this year.

10. My husband goes back to work. I really do love having him home, but I know he enjoys his job and likes to get back into his groove.

11. Watching the whole world turn from brown and gray to green and colorful.

12. The smell of a fresh spring rain

13. I love the whole Easter celebration with the family. It is so awesome to know what new life in Jesus REALLY is all about.

Wordless Wednesday

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Menu Plan Monday

Hello! Happy Monday! This one will be a quick one as I have two girls begging to go outside to play!

Last week the new recipies were great! I will definetely be making them again.

Here is this week:

Monday: Chicken fajitas, rice

Tuesday: mini meatloafs trying this from KC, mashed potatoes, corn

Wednesday: Sloppy joe wagon wheels trying this from Palmtreefanatic, mixed veggies

Thursday:pizza, salad

Friday: Birthday party - dinner there

Saturday: hamburgers on the grill, pasta salad fresh veggies

Sunday: Spaghetti, meatballs

Don't forget to check out Laura's blog!

I did it!

I did it! Yay! I finally finished a book! A whole book. Not a magazine or an article. AND it was a book for ME. Not a parenting book not a romance novel or mystery. Something that made me think and feel and study my bible! I know our church did this together a few years ago when it came out, and I followed for most of it, but that was during Elena's pneumonia bouts and we missed a lot of church back then. So at the beginning of this year I made a plan to read The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. But I was just so happy that I finished it I had to share it with the world!

Wordless Wednesday (3/21/07) Spring has Sprung!

For more wordless Wednesday go here or check out 5 minutes for mom.

Thinking Spring

I am thrilled that spring will officially be here tomorrow:) This momma definitely is developing a severe case of cabin fever. I didn't realize how ready for the unthawing I was until we had that teasing of warm weather last week. We spent an entire afternoon outside! Ate lunch on the deck and just soaked up as much as we could. Got out the stroller and walked two days in a row. It was so nice just to have some sunshine on my face, a quiet baby in tow just chucking it around town. So peaceful. So enjoyable. I am anxious for the sunny days also to help keep things with my workouts fresh. There is nothing more fulfilling than getting a good workout in while enjoying mother nature. Walking/jogging is one of my favorite ways to stay healthy and get back in shape.


I give soooo much credit to people who diet. Who regularly watch the calories and or foods they eat each day. I totally don't want to be braggy, but I just have always been able to stay about the same weight as long as I kept up with workouts. I am not much of a big eater. I never had to crash diet, but I have always had to workout. This truly is the first time since having kids that I have struggled to lose weight. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I have had three kids and am sliding into my 30's. So in my desperate attempt to lose these last 10 pounds, I went down to a 1200 calorie diet. I did a decent job - despite the fact I was STARVING!- I lasted a whole week :( I was stressing so much because the last weigh in at MOPS didn't go well. Scale stayed the same, so I was grasping for some additional push. I think with trying to maintain my workouts and still going without coffee (which might I add has been going well up until the past 2 days. I am starting to want it again and find myself counting down the days until Easter.) I was trying to do too many things to change myself at the same time. Too much for this already multitasking momma. So I decided to just really pay attention to portion size and really focus on making healthier choices in what I eat. I started to feel better about things a few days ago when I put on a pair of jeans I have worn quite regularly were very loose!! I have been living in my track pants and such lately so I was so, so happy to make this discovery! YAY!!


So the weather this next week is calling for 50's, 60's with some rain. Hopefully the rain holds off enough for us to get out and do some trekking about. Time to fire up the old double jogger!:)

Come on Spring!

Menu Plan Monday

Okay here is my challenge. It's getting towards the end of the month, going to be a transition period for us. Dh is going back to work. You would think. Oh well that's good more money will be coming in. Which will be true eventually. The next few weeks will be an adjustment as his pay cycle changes. Sooo I will need to be creative and budget conscious a little more. Which will be an interesting challenge. Esp with so many things I would like to purchase for Easter. So I will try to save as much as I can on our food bill so I can have more to play with:)

I am trying 2 new recipes this week that I found in magazines. Beef taco skillet, and crunchy onion chicken. I will link those recipes in case you want to check them out too.

Our week:

Monday: Beef Taco skillet $5.00 meal, $1.00 pp

Tuesday: Crunchy Onion Chicken $5.00 meal. $1.00 pp

Wednesday: minestrone soup, bread sticks $4.60 meal,$ 0.92 pp

Thursday: Egg & Bacon casserole, fruit $6.20 meal, $1.24 pp

Friday: Boxed meal or leftovers

Saturday: Sloppy Joes, Tator tots $3.75 meal, $0.75 pp

Sunday: Birthday party at McDonald's. Dinner there!

For more Menu ideas - check out Lauras blog!

That's it for me! Have a blessed week!

Chronicles of Narnia

I have been meaning to post this for a few weeks now. I just had to share this because I thought it was so interesting. This Easter season our church is doing a series on the parables found in the C.S. Lewis book The Chronicles of Narnia. Now awhile back the kids and I rented this movie and to my surprise really enjoyed it. We watched it a few times that weekend. It wasn't a movie I really wanted to see originally. I never read the book and can't remember what made us rent it. But really glad that we did. Well our pastor kept talking about exciting stuff getting ready for Easter this year. We kicked it off with a family movie night at church. Imagine our surprise when Me, Ethan and Elena walked into our lobby and here is what we see in place of our normal entryway into the sanctuary. The kids were in awe... The wardrobe was in our church! It was put together by a few of the members the week before. Once you opened the door you had to walk through the fur coats just as in the movie and the church lights were dimmed and a winter wonderland was before you. Only the lamp post was lit. It felt very surreal, very magical. We enjoyed the movie with popcorn popped especially for us by pastor:) Ethan and Elena wanted to pose by the lamp post.
And we decided to get a pic coming out of the wardrobe after the movie as well. The kids were beat as we did have to spend forever sweeping up all the popcorn they dropped everywhere since church was in the morning and they spent that time chasing friends all around. So they were soo ready for bed. What a fun night!
Here we are already halfway through Lent. I am really looking forward to this Easter and each week the messages that are delivered to us.! I just wanted to share this special night that got it all started for us this year! Now that St. Pattys day is out of the way we can get out the Easter decorations out tomorrow and decorate away! YAY!

Wordless Wednesday - Luck O' The Irish

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Happy Wednesday:)

Menu Plan Monday

Here is our menu for the week. Looking forward to this weekend most of all though. I have a girls night planned for Friday Night and Saturday night we have our 2nd annual St. Patricks Day dinner! Last year was fun. Just family and a few friends. We make corned beef and cabbage and veggies and everyone brings something to go with it. Some interesting desserts too! I am going to make a green mint tea punch with these four leaf floating clovers. We'll see how they come out!
Have a great week!!

Monday: Fiesta Chicken
Tuesday: BBQ pork sandwiches, macaroni salad
Wednesday: Baked potato soup. I know its been on here a lot, just haven't made it!
Thursday: Tuna parmesan noodle casserole
Friday: Mom's night out! Dad & kids hamburgers and french fries
Saturday: St. Patricks Day Dinner here, corn beef, cabbage, veggies and lots of other goodies!

I don't have prices broke down for each this week as Monday and Tuesday are being made with leftovers from the weekend:)

Dessert of the week: pudding parfaits and cupcakes for the weekend!

As always if you want more menu ideas check out Lauras blog!

In memory of my mom

Today I woke up with that feeling... Something isn't right, something is missing. Haven't left the house lately so I know I haven't forgotten anything, double check cell phone, diaper bag and purse. Nope all there. Takes me a bit, but then I remember the date. March 11.
Today was the day of my moms birthday. She would of been 52.

I was trying to think of a pic to post along with this, but we just moved our computer and the scanner isn't hooked up yet so this is all I have. This was taken the Christmas of 1982. The last one she was with us. Some of you know that she passed when I was young. 1983. I was 8 years old, she was 28. She has been gone 24 years out of the 32 years of my life - sometimes its weird to think I even ever had a mother since my memories of her are so few. I have some, and I cherish them deeply.

One reason that I have made it a point to stay home with my kids and why I completely smother my children daily. No really I don't smother them, at least I don't think I do... I'd like to think I am just very present in their lives and I absolutely write down every detail of everything that they do in fear that I will not be here some day to tell them all about it. Another reason I journal so much for them is that they might know a bit about who I am and things I enjoy about this wonderful life we share.
Funny how sometimes when people are gone noone wants to talk about them. For me growing up that was hard. I so wanted to know all about her, what kind of foods did she like? How did she act when she was angry or when something was funny? Did she have a good laugh?? Some things I never will know. Luckily I have ran into her best friend from high school and she tells me EVERYTHING she can remember. Which reminds me, I think I will give Marilyn a call this week ;)

I did make it past 28 which is something that was always in the back of my mind. Weird, I know but I never thought I would live longer than her, but thankfully I have so far.
I have been dwelling on this all so much lately. The past. Most days I get through just fine but lately a lot of the past has been up front and center for me. I am going to be giving my testimony at a tea and treasure day for our mops group and have been praying about what all I should be saying. Soo many parts of my past have been on my mind, but especially today I am thinking of my mom.
Something you don't realize unless you have lost your mother is how many different times in your life you need your mommy! The greiving process repeats itself over and over throughout your life. When I moved out on my own, when I was proposed to, getting married, having the kids So many life changing events you greive again. Different, but its still there.
I started reading a book recently called Motherless Daughters by Hope Edelman. and I am enjoying it so much. She also wrote one called Motherless Mothers which I hope to have time to read also. The more I read of it, the more some of the goofy things I do make sense. But I am not going to dwell on the sad stuff anymore tonight. Just going to think my happy thoughts. Know I am who I am today because of the events that have occured in my life and know that someday we will be together again!
Happy Birthday MOM!

Five Reasons Why I Blog...

Well Thanks to a tag from KC , who is one of my blogging friends and thankfully becoming more of a real life friend as well!
I pick up one of my friends daughters from preschool on Tuesdays sometimes and I picked her up the day of their Valentines party. She is in Sweet Pea's class. And it was funny since I "talk" to you online more than in real life, when I saw her name on the back of her Bratz valentine I thought wait I know her! LOL

OK so she tagged me, so here it goes...
Five Reasons Why I Blog:

1. I started to blog as a way to share photos and stories with my group of online friends. My friend Jen started one and within a week or so all of us had one. Much easier to update people about things going on with our kids.

2. Decided to invite the family and friends to check it out. They are all over the country and many of them like to be able to take a peek into the little everyday things that the kids are doing. So it is a way to keep in touch and brag a bit about my kiddos and family with people dear to me because you know with 4 kids you don't have time for an actual telephone conversation!

3. I started a second blog to actually be me even in the tiniest sense. I didn't want to take anything away from what I share about the kids. It seems I think of so many things I would like to blog about, but once I get online and start reading other blogs, I run out of time to blog myself!

4. I use my family blog as a scrapbook. I print the pages out and keep them in an album/binder. I just always freak when I think "what if I woke up one day and blogger was gone??" All those posts the kids could never see. So I try to save them so the kids can go back and see some things they have done. I really want to start actually scrap booking, but that time hasn't come yet, so something is being documented!

5. This is me time, I really enjoy getting to know other people, sharing interests in things that I never thought I was that interested in, like being organized, cooking, cleaning. Things I dreaded now actually seem fun. How crazy is that? But it is great to find so many ideas from real people that work, that make life more simple and a lot more fun! Its great to see so many interesting, creative, and talented people out there who are moms to boot!

Thanks KC for the fun meme, now I will go on to tag Rachel, Stacey and Jenn!

Wordless Wednesday - Brothers learning they CAN have fun together.

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Menu Plan Monday

Hello! This month ahead will kind of be a fun challenge as my dh is still off work, so it will be fun to see what good things I can come up with on our budget!

I am sorry I didn't post the White Turkey Chili recipe last week, I will post it at the end here. It is my mother-in-laws recipe and it is quite tasty!

Thanks to Laura for hosting this!

This week looks like this:
Monday: Tacos, rice $6.30 meal, $1.26 pp
Tuesday: Whole chicken, mashed potatoes, corn $5.00 meal, $1.00 pp
Wednesday: pizza, salad $7.00 meal, $1.40 pp
Thursday: BBQ ribs, twice baked potatoes, green beans $12.50 meal, 2.50 pp
Friday: Spaghetti, meat balls, garlic bread $3.01 meal, $.60 pp
Saturday: leftovers or maybe hamburgers
Sunday: baked potato soup, crescent rolls $5.16 meal, $1.03 pp

Dessert for the week: Rice Krispy treats.

When I met my dh his fave meal was potato soup and steak (his moms recipe) A friend gave me this baked potato soup recipe and it has replaced mommys :)

Baked potato soup:
4-5 lg baking potatoes
1 stick butter
2/3 cup flour
6 cups lowfat milk
salt & pepper
1c sour cream
10 oz low fat shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 lb crisp bacon, crumbled
green onions- sliced thin

Bake potatoes in oven- remove skin and dice, Melt butter in lg pot, add flour and stir gradually, add milk. Stir constantly until thickened (5 min)
stir in cheese and sour cream. Add salt and pepper to taste, stir in diced potatoes.

Garnish with bacon and onions and additional cheese if desired.

White Turkey Chili:
2 jars of Great Northern beans
2 lg cans chicken broth
1 onion, minced
2 lb boneless chicken or turkey breast, cubed.
1-2 cans chopped green chilies
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp chili season

Combine beans, broth and onion in a lg pot - simmer.
In sm skillet saute onion, chili season, cumin & chilies in sm amount of oil.
Add to beans. Add chicken or turkey and simmer 40 min. or in crock pot 3-4 hours

Top with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese and sour cream.

Wordless Wednesday - spending time with my sis'

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Menu Plan Monday

It is here Monday morning, and you know I walked into my kitchen and freaked out- I didn't have a menu planned for the week! I usually sit down on Sunday and do it. This weekend was so full of parties and baby showers, I didn't have a moment to do it! So this is what I have come up with. The end of the week may be subject to change. Anyways Have a Tasty week!!

Monday: Taco bake, black beans and corn
Tuesday: Ham, scalloped potatoes, some other kind of veggie
Wednesday: White Turkey chili
Thursday: Sausage and penne pasta
Friday: BBQ Ribs, twice baked potatoes, green beans
Saturday: chicken, fried rice, egg rolls
Sunday: Spaghetti pie, salad, garlic bread

Dessert of the week- I am making a bunch of no-bake cookies. One of my faves - cannot wait!

For the Love of Jesus and Coffee

OK- Today being Fat Tuesday, doesn't that just sound like such a wonderful excuse to just indulge? I am not a big eater, but when I used to work in an office most of the girls were catholic and we had a major feast all day long. They would bring in some pretty good food too. I am not of Catholic faith, but did attend Catholic church with my best friends from 6th grade through my senior year and always gave something up for lent. It is one of those things I feel like I really should make a choice to sacrifice something that gives me enjoyment for the LORD. So this year it didn't take long to decide that my coffee will have to go. Ahhh!

I have had many relationships with coffee over the years, but lately it is what I run for the second I am out of bed and I don't just stop in the morning. I will start up another round about 3 PM when I am feeling like crashing again. When I first found out I was pg with my first child, I was like this too, I would drink it all morning long. I quit drinking it right then and there the moment I got the positive result. Went without it the whole pregnancy, but wouldn't you know the day I brought him home from the hospital my dh ran to the store and I asked him " Pick up some Vanilla creamer please?" and off I was drinking it again.
So today will be my last day of coffee until after Easter. So if you run into me today, I apologize if I am running 300 miles a minute - It will be the coffee talking ;)

Just something you do when you want to show Jesus how much you love him :)

Menu Plan Monday - Presidents Day

Another week of planning meals! Yay! I thought by now this would be easier and I think I am just trying not to repeat too many meals, but I think its okay to rotate some family faves a few times a month, right? One thing is nice this week is since today being Presidents Day, we had our niece spend the night last night and we had pizza, so I have a whole menu ahead of me without pizza on it! WOW! Oh and the meatball stroganoff last week was a big hit! The kids gobbled it up. Always a good thing to find a recipe they will happily eat!

So here goes our week:
Monday: Chicken Enchilada Bake, Refried beans meal total $5.11, $1.02 per person
Tuesday: Pot Roast and Veggies $ 8.00 meal, $1.60 pp
Wednesday: Chili and cornbread $4.25 meal, $.84 pp
Thursday: Maybe beef and noodles if we have Roast Beef leftover- we usually do.
Friday: Boxed meal ( I know, gack) or leftovers $3.00 box meal
Saturday: Dinner out Mom and Dad AGAIN!! Kids get Fish sticks and mac & cheese $3.00
Sunday: Chicken Parmesan, spaghetti, salad and bread sticks $10.10 meal, 2.02 pp

Okay kids are getting hungry, fighting over mousetrap game. Better go make them some blueberry pancakes. mmmmm.
For more menu plans, be sure to check out Laura's blog.
Have a blessed week everyone!!

Where is my camera when I need it?

Ok-as a blogger, there should be one thing I am never without, that would be my trusty camera with video. Today is one of those days when the $100, 000 funniest video shot has been lost. I didn't realize that the kids were doing the bell choir during church today. So I was surprised when I saw the kids lining up to come into the sanctuary. (And glad I brought a brush with us and brushed my 4 yr old Elena's crazy hat hair before taking her into her class!!) They did so well, it always is funny to watch the preschoolers play the bells. Some of my other friends children have had some performances in the past that have been pretty funny. Not mentioning any names here... Jenn and Stacey.... ;p Today I watched miss Elena doing so well, concentrating so hard and when it would be her turn she truly was pleased. Once they were done and all is quiet Elena pipes up " TEACHER, I DID GOOD!!" Oh I laughed so hard I cried! Oh out of the mouths of babes. I soo needed that laugh today. Thank you my wonderful child!!

Winter Wonderland?

You hear the weather forecast and sometimes you get the snow they predict, for us sometimes it goes right over us and hits the snow belt. So I was a bit surprised when I opened my window yesterday morning to see this! The Newspaper said we had 14 inches of snow! I didn't think we would get much seeing how we have had such a mild winter. But it snowed for over 24 hours and we sure were hit!
Dh did his duty and spent 3 hours outside with the shovel and snowplow. The kids were devastated because it was just too cold for them to go out and play. They did have a treat watching dad and all the neighbors blowing a lot of snow around. I hope they can get out in the drifts at least one of these days - some of the drifts in our yard are as tall as the baby! But around here they aren't calling for temps in the 30's until next week :0

This is our deck, off to the right you can see the handle of a big wheel bike that was left there. Hard to believe it was a few weeks ago the kids were outside playing and riding bikes! There are icicles everywhere these are the only ones I would take a shot of, haven't been out in the snow yet! Too Cold! The kids are really enjoying looking at the mounds of snow. Not loving 3 days of school off in a row though!

Wordless Wednesday - Dreaming of warm weather fun..

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Snowed In

Thanks for the birthday wishes girls! and KC for the song. How very sweet :) It took me the whole day but I fuddled through it and am feeling better today! I think I should of just scheduled some kind of break for myself, I was regretting spending the day just doing my regular "duties" . Anyways the day has past- another year of my life has begun.

Today was yet another snow day, We have been hit with the blizzard all the weather people were predicting. I, being a SAHM don't actually mind the snow days, it is kind of nice to HAVE to take a day or two off . I was disappointed this morning though. My daughters preschool was cancelled, My sons kindergarten was canceled and MOPS was cancelled for me and the baby. Dh was walking out the door when I heard the news and I got all (pretend) dramatic and clung to him " NOT MOPS! I wanted to go to MOPS today!! Waa, Waa. "The kids looked at me like I was crazy. I kind of was as today was Chocolate day and those mommas know how to make some chocolate goodies:)
Probably was a good thing though since we are in the midst of our shape up challenge and although I have been doing decent at getting in good workouts(4 in last week, 1 so far this week) my diet could still use some shaping up and I have no will power with a buffet of chocolate and baked goods! We'll have to make some minor adjustments to that I guess.

Today being snowed in wasn't bad though. We tried to do some things to make the day fun. Finished up all the kids Valentines for their classmates and teachers, some other snowy day craft activities and since the kids have been fighting a little cold, Ethan requested chicken noodle soup for breakfast so we decided to have a mix-up day. We had lunch for breakfast, dinner for lunch and breakfast for dinner. They thought that was the greatest!
They have already called off school for tomorrow and I am guessing AWANA will be canceled tomorrow night as well so I better head over to family fun and look up some things to keep us busy tomorrow! Fun suggestions are always welcome:)

It's my Birthday and I'll blog if I want to!

Ever have one of those days like you know you really should be doing about 100 other things?? As I sit here in my pjs and robe and watch the time tick by, I really don't want to do anything else. Its not that I have anything relevant to even be doing on here, I just don't want to move. It's cold and snowy outside and I am just in sort of a funk. Usually birthdays don't effect me in this way. Usually I plan a spa day for myself and just treat myself. I have lunch dates and people to meet with. This year I just wasn't in the mood. My dh keeps asking me what I want to do and I just don't know! So for now I will just sit here, listen to my girls play with their toys next to me and do nothing. Just take another step into my 30's with stride.
Maybe I'll go take a morning nap with the baby? That sounds like a nice thing to do... I don't have to get out of my jammies to do that:)

Menu Plan Monday

I am gonna start next week adding some new recipes to our meals that we rotate. I keep finding so many things I wanna try!

Here is our week:



Monday: Hubby cooking - no idea what he is planning ;)

Tuesday: Turkey Rice soup, Rolls

Wednesday: Pizza, salad (I could do without pizza every week, but my family would strongly disagree) This week we are making homemade, maybe we'll make a heart shaped pizza??

Thursday: Meatball stroganoff, green beans

Friday: Smoked sausage, rice, mixed veggies

Saturday: mom & Dad are going out on a date:) Chicken nuggets, Fries and Corn for kiddos.

Sunday: Whole chicken, mashed potatoes

Dessert for the week: Grandmas butter cookies! We made a big batch of them and the kids helped me cut them out in heart shapes. yummy:)

I know I didn't write out the cost for each meal like I did last week, didn't have as much free time.
The meatball stroganoff is a new recipe this week. We make stroganoff sometimes with ground beef, sometimes with steak. The kids aren't always crazy about ground beef in casseroles, so here is a new take on it that I think sounds more fun.

Meatball Stroganoff:
1 sm onion
1 10.5 oz can beef gravy
1 14 oz can beef broth
4-5 meatballs per person
1 sm can mushrooms
8oz pasta
4 oz sour cream
Fry onion in butter for 2 min. Add beef gravy, beef broth, meatballs, mushrooms, and bring to a boil. When mixture is at full boil, add pasta and cook until pasta is tender. Add sour cream right before serving.

For More Menu planning, check out Lauras blog.
Have a blessed week!

Wordless Wednesday- A new friend

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Have a great Wednesday!

Menu Plan Monday

I feel like Mondays and Wednesdays are the only days I get a chance to get on here lately. Definitely need to organize my time a bit more to have more posts! So what is turning into my favorite day of the week. I put some time into it this week. I am one who will cut out coupons, but will leave for the store and forget them or really not take the time to use them the best way. This week while the baby was eating ever so slowly, I went through all the grocery ads, looked at the sale items and matched up where I had coupons. All in all I bought $130 worth of groceries and spent $72 :) I was quite excited! I will have to definitely schedule time to do that each week, it was a little thrill to see how they add up!

This week I have put the cost of each meal, and we have 5 people eat regularly so what it costs per serving. (I had a little time on my hands sitting with the baby who was a major slow poke eater this week)
Also this week I have posted a dessert for the week and will post that recipe. It is a new one, but the pic looks yummy:p I can't wait to try it.

Here's the menu:
Monday - Black bean taco salad $8.44 Total meal - $1.69 per serving (5 people)
Tuesday - Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread - $5.50 meal - $1.10 per serving
Wednesday - Pizza - $3.00 -2 12" pizzas. I got two Digorno pizza on sale w/ coupons CHEAP!
Thursday - Chicken Casserole, corn, crescent rolls - $5.62 meal - $1.37 per serving
Friday - Ham, cheesy potatoes, mixed veggies - This doesn't count really since the ham is leftover from a few weeks ago and I just spent $2.00 on the potatoes and veggies
Saturday - My birthday dinner at our aunts house! (FREE :)
Sunday - Whole Chicken, Garlic mashed potatoes, Green beans, Rolls - $6.00 meal- $1.20 per
serving.

The dessert of the week is S'mores Bars.
Here is the recipe:
8-10 whole graham crackers
1 pkg fudge brownie mix (13x 9 in pan size)
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup chopped peanuts

Arrange graham crackers in a single layer in a greased 13x9x2 in baking pan. Prepare the brownie batter according to package directions. Spread over crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min. or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Sprinkle with marshmallows and peanuts, bake 5 min longer or until marshmallows are slightly puffed and golden brown. Cool on a wire rack before cutting. makes 2 dozen bars. $3.94 total.

Thanks for checking out my menu! I will be sure to stop by and see yours too! For more Menu planning check out Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Wordless Wednesday

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Shape up Challenge! Week One

I am trying to keep my motivation up as it is quick to dissolve. I find having kids makes it easier and easier to allow myself excuses when really what does it take to make 30 min for myself to exercise? I mean I manage to find time to check in here a few times a week... so here it goes.

My MOPS group started this Shape- Up Challenge last week trying to promote healthier moms. So many of us are complaining about what we want to do with ourselves but never seem to make it a priority, so we started kind of a biggest loser competition. It is a challenge, but it also is a chance for us to come together and work towards a goal and keep each other motivated! There are prizes in this and accountability to others. At each meeting (twice a month) we have a weigh in and a place to track our measurements. So it is pounds and inches lost. I usually base it on inches or how I feel. Last week we started it out with a kickboxing instructor who I thought was going to demonstrate some things we could do, oh did she! It turned out it was an actual class we had to do!! Which in one way was great because so many of us that thought we weren't ready to take a class, decided this could be fun working out together.

So I have been trying to work out at least 3 days a week, but that gives me to much room to not do it. To skip a workout which turns into a few workouts, etc. etc. So this week I have decided to make working out part of my daily schedule. Mon-Fri need to fit in at least 30 min of something.
My personal goal is to lose 15 lbs. Really 10 would put me at my pre-pregnancy weight, so I am shooting for just a bit more. So far this week I have managed to do an hour class that my church offers yesterday and 45 min of pilates today.

I have a small discussion group that is helping with the motivation, we were to get together today and workout together, but my baby was sick so I wasn't able to join them:(
Now I just have to stay focused. I am planning on taking my kindergartner to school a bit early tomorrow so I can sneak in a workout before dh leaves for the day. This is a 12 week competition and we have just one week under our belts. Now for the rest of the challenge! Keep ya posted:)

recipe for bacon ravioli

I am taking a break from baking to check out some recipes, My preschooler has snack for school tomorrow and she wants gingerbread cookies, so my son wants to take a treat to school too, so we are also made oatmeal butterscotch cookies. mmm. my house is smelling soo good right now!
Here is the recipe for the Bacon Ravioli. It is really easy and Really yummy!
you need:
8 slices bacon, diced
1 cup alfredo sauce
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup fresh bail or 1 TBSP dried basil
1 lb frozen or refrigerated ravioli
ground black pepper to taste

Fill one pan with water, cover and bring to a boil. Meanwhile saute' bacon until crisp. Drain off fat. Stir in Alfredo sauce, milk and basil. set aside.

Cook Ravioli, uncovered in boiling water according to package directions. Drain and return to pan Pour sauce over ravioli and stir gently. Warm over low heat, season with pepper and serve.

Menu Plan Monday

Once again its time for me to sit down and plan my meals for the week. I sat down yesterday and went through cookbooks. My dh and I are trying to really buckle down this year and not spend so much, so I am doing my part by keeping the food budget down. So looking for new easy and inexpensive ideas. Here is our meals for the week. Looking forward to checking everyone else's out to get some inspiration!

Monday: Taco Grande, black beans and corn
Tuesday: Bacon ravioli, fresh green beans, garlic bread
Wednesday: Minestrone soup, corn bread
Thursday: Crispy chicken, baked potatoes, apple/carrot salad
Friday: pizza
Saturday: Meatball sandwiches, baked french fries -never made these last week.
Sunday: Dh will be somewhere watching the game, so probably pancakes and sausage, fruit

That is it, oh and I have never been a fan of low fat, cheeses or anything, but we are going to make a conscious effort to use low fat versions of things to make them a little healthier for everyone. I make a lot of casseroles and we eat a lot of cheese so that is one small step towards healthier living.
Check out Laura over at http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com for more menu planning... Have a great week!!

Wordless Wednesday - Daddy and his girl

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Menu Plan Monday - January 22

Hello! Laura over at http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com hosts Menu planning Monday and once again I will say what a difference this has made in my life! I was in a major dinner rut and it took a little time to sit down and do this, but it works and with so many perks. Laura mentioned this in her Thursday Thirteen about why she likes meal planning. It saves time, saves on my budget and the family likes knowing ahead of time what is for dinner, it's not just me springing a box meal on them at the last minute because I am crunched for time and cannot think.

I didn't get a chance to get on here last week and post, but since we are on a major budget right now, I sat down and made my meal plan. I planned out meals for the rest of the month! and believe it or not, I planned out 20 meals and with coupons and local sales and purchased all with the exception of fresh fruits and veggies, milk and I spent only $250.00!! I was soo excited so now we are sitting here with a pantry and freezer full. Less trips to the store with 3 kids in tow makes this momma a happy one!

So here is my meal plans for this week:
Monday: Mexican Monday - Chicken Quesadillas, Spanish rice
Tuesday: Meatloaf, noodles, green beans
Wednesday: Baked potato soup
Thursday: Chicken casserole, peas and carrots
Friday: Homemade pizza
Saturday: Spaghetti Pie, salad, bread sticks
Sunday: meatball sandwiches, baked french fries

The spaghetti pie is one of our favorites and a meal I make for moms a lot when they have a baby. I will post the recipe if anyone is interested. Its just a new take on regular spaghetti.

1 lb ground beef
1/2 c chopped onion
1/4 C green pepper
1 jar (15 oz) spaghetti sauce
8 oz spaghetti, cooked and drained
1/3 c grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs beaten
2 tsp butter
1 c cottage cheese
1/2 c shredded mozzarella cheese

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees, cook beef, onion and green pepper in lg skillet until meat is browned. Drain fat, stir in spaghetti sauce. In a large bowl, combine spaghetti, Parmesan cheese, eggs and butter, mix well. Place in bottom of 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Spread cottage cheese over top; cover with sauce mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake until mixture is thoroughly heated and cheese is melted about 20 minutes.

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesday go to http://www.wordlesswednesday.com or http://www.5minutesformom.com

Wordless Wednesday

For more wordless wednesday go to http://www.wordlesswednesday.com or http://www.5minutesformom.com

Menu Plan Monday

This is my first week actually posting my meal plan. I have been doing this for the past few weeks and it amazed me that I could actually save money on my grocery bill by planning out my meals! In fact last week my grocery bill was only $30.oo because I planned meals with mostly what I had on hand. I normally would just restock my pantry each week and then stew forever about what to make each night. Now I have the week planned and if the family doesn't feel like something, I can just switch meals. SO MUCH EASIER! So I want to say thanks to Laura over at I'm an organizing junkie http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com She is the one who hosts the Menu plan Monday. You can link over to her and check out other menus too!:)

Here's mine for this week:
Monday: Pork chops, pierogies, green beans
Tuesday: Beef stroganof, peas & carrots, rolls
Wednesday: white turkey chili, cornbread
Thursday: Ham, augratin potatoes, mixed vegies
Friday: Pizza at our aunts house
Saturday: Chicken alfredo w/ broccoli, breadsticks.

I know its pretty boring, This week is digging out of the pantry week. Usually in our house Mondays are mexican mondays and Wednesday is crockpot or slow cooker day. Also if I find any good recipies that I like online I will link to them when I plan them.

Off to surf other menus for some fresh ideas!

Here comes 2007!

Just had to start this post with a pic of me and my hubby. New Years Eve was our 7th wedding anniversary. We were married December 31, 1999. That year the world was supposed to end. We laugh because the other date that had everyone all afraid of that year was the anniversary of our first date which we celebrate each year-09/09/99. All the computers were gonna crash on that day. We used to joke that we were destined to be doomed ;) When I sat down to update my calendars yesterday, I just couldn't believe it was time to do this already. At least I remembered to change my calender, I usually toss the old one before I realize I didn't transfer birthdays onto the new one, then I have to call everyone to update. So in one little aspect I am ahead of the game! YAY! Now I still am focusing on what to make as a new years wish. Don't make resolutions because - bad me... I don't keep them. So a wish seems more realistic. Of course there is the old stand by, eat healthier, exercise more. But I think I want to stretch a little deeper this year. I want to make more time to read, I want to get more involved with a bible study. I help out with different activities MOPS, AWANA, volunteer at the kids schools but I want to find something that I can truly be passionate about. so that is something I plan to ponder on just a bit more.

Our year in review: I cannot be as detailed as Tina - what a good memory she has!!
This year started as a really good one - we were able to finish a few house projects that we have wanted to do since we bought the house, we were able to connect with some family members we haven't seen in awhile, Ethan started kindergarten, Elena started preschool and Jason started middle school, made some new friends, and lost some very dear loved ones. The end of this year has been a tough one for our family but through it I think a different, closer family is taking its place. My husband has come to church with me for a month straight without me asking him! THAT is what I am most excited about.
So for this new year my main focus is to keep my family close, to laugh and love everyday. To be thankful for what God has blessed us with and for each new day! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!