Menu Plan Monday- Marcy 31st thru April 4th (Partial Week)

 

Wednesday night- Cubed steak, rice and gravy with peas and beer bread

Thursday night- Leftover cubed steak, mashed potatoes with green beans and leftover beer bread

Friday night- Chicken pot pie

Saturday lunch- Out; Saturday night- Burgers(on the grill) with chips/carrots and dip

Sunday lunch- Easter dinner @ Nana's house;  Sunday night- Leftover chicken pot pie

I am late adding my menu this week.  The new menu for E-Mealz didn't come out until today and I wanted to look it over before deciding what we would have.  I've decided to just do a few meals that our family enjoys instead of following the menu plan this week!  For more menu ideas, visit Laura.

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And I can't close this post without adding a picture from our weekend.  The church/preschool/MDO that Bubbie and Peanut attend during the week had a large Easter egg hunt/festival/scavenger hunt type thing on Saturday morning.  Notice Bubbie's eyes?  He cannot take his eyes off our scavenger hunt map.  Oh my word!  My child!  Drives me batty!  Then I remember that I am exactly.the.same.way and I smile!  My poor child has been cursed!

We had a great day- out and about- and the weather was gooorrrggeeeooouuusssss!  Sunny, cool, breezy and the best part was that we were all together as a family and healthy!

Lack of Motivation

I've been in a funk lately.  At first, I was concerned it was depression.  Not a deep, dark depression, but just a gentle sadness or perhaps the "winter blues".  But I am convinced that it isn't either of those.  I am happy.  I am laughing and enjoying life- with my boys and my husband.  I have some of the greatest and sweetest friendships, the most supportive and wise parents and a family that I love.  I am excited it is Spring and the glorious SUN!!! and the promise of summer without the hustle and bustle of the school year and activities!

I think it is more of lack of motivation.  I am typically a very motivated individual.  You can ask anyone, but especially my husband, I am normally the one moving and grooving well past anyone's normal ability to move.  I can't sit down and relax until things are done and looking neat.  I am typically one who likes a neat and organized house before sitting down to retire at night.  But lately, I just am not motivated to do much of anything.  I have begun to blame it on the babe.  (Poor child!!!)  He has finally gotten on a schedule and I am TICKLED!  The crying out worked, once again, and I am thanking Jesus for a structure again!  I cannot tell you how happy and peaceful this makes my heart!  Every night I am not stuck in a chair nursing, or trying to tend to the baby.  Every night Hubbie is not walking up and down the hall trying to get Baby to settle.  We nurse and he is in bed by 8-8:30 every night and ASLEEP for HOURS.  It is a happy thing!  My husband and I can get things done or talk or watch movies or WHATEVER!!!  It really is nice to have our evenings again!  But, instead of doing things around the house or having time to myself to read or watch a movie, we are getting in bed and sleeping- for hours- and sleeping late too!  I am convinced that I am exhausted after months of late nights and waking up in the middle of the night to nurse.

In addition to being able to sleep for hours, I also think I am being molded and shaped and things are happening so that I begun to see a spiritual attack.  So many things have been thrown at me the last 6 mos and very slowly beliefs that I've had since childhood have started to crumble and I'm beginning to see my relationship with my Creator in a different light.  As far as the spiritual attack goes, it all began when we started to pray for peace on a schooling decision for Bubbie.  Once Hubbie and I had made a few decisions and began moving forward on those, I started getting blasted from all sides.  Satan brought anything and everything against me so that I would begin to doubt our decision and my ability.  To say the least, its been a very difficult month emotionally.  Inner turmoil from undergoing so many thoughts and belief changes and trying to stay focused and getting priorities straightened out... whew!  I am exhausted just typing!

Anyway, about 3 weeks ago, I told Hubbie that he and I must get away.  We are both exhausted from certain things going on since the end of 2009 and emotionally- we are just spent!  We need time to clear our heads and be able to regroup spiritually.  Unfortunately, we aren't able to do this right now.  Financially we are SPENT!  Trying to get this last debt paid off is our main goal for the year.  I know people discourage us doing this and also don't understand why we are so focused on this, but we truly do believe this is God's will for our lives.  We have been shown countless times that God does value our efforts towards this.  Even, just last week, God brought just enough $$ that we needed and it was in the most unexpected place.  I can't say it enough, God will bless you time and time again if you tithe and we give Him all the glory for being able to almost be out of debt.  Without Him, this would all be impossible!

So, because we cannot afford to get away and because the babe is still nursing, I am just asking for prayers- prayers for renewing and peace in decisions.  Prayers for satan to flee and for paths to become clear.  Prayers that I will have motivation to get things accomplished around the house!

Finally Began....

Back in January, I wrote down a few goals for myself and my husband. And about three weeks ago, I finally decided to get going on my "discipling my time" - exercise and read Bible daily.  We had already begun walking together as a family- in the evenings- when it was nice outside, but- nothing consistent.  And I knew I needed to do more.

Then my SIL and I decided to start T-TAPP.  This is a program that I really do love.  Its quick and only takes 15 mins.  Jana bought it for me for Christmas right before I got pregnant with Bean, so I really didn't get to use it for very long before I got tired and morning sickness.  So, we began to do the 14 day "challenge" which was do the 15 min T-TAPP every day for 14 days.  After the 14 days, you do every other and do another form of exercising on the "off" days.  I had told Hubbie that I really wanted to do Couch to 5K on the off days.  I had been wanting to start Couch to 5K for a while, but had trouble finding a good and affordable sports bra.  As the 14 days starting disappearing, I realized that if I really wanted to do this, I needed to just bite the bullet, pay for a sports bra and do it!  So, we headed off to Academy Sports.  I tried on several bras and I finally found a (deep breath!) $45 sports bra that fit and held the puppies down!

Monday morning, Hubbie and I woke up about a hr earlier than we needed to, got our gear on, bundled the boys up in the joggers and we headed out on Day 1.  Man!  Let me tell you.... its not easy going up hills or small inclines (as Hubbie calls them!), so he is not allowed to take me up anything with an incline!  Our marriage depends on it!  (HEE HEE!)  We did our daily work out.  I survived!  I have never run with a jogger before and I gotta say, I don't enjoy it.  I don't know if its because I'm short, so the jogger comes to my mid section instead of a normal sized persons waist or what, but I can't move as freely.  When I run without a jogger, its a lot easier for me.

 Anyway....  We did the full week of Couch to 5K this week.  Each day I've gotten a little faster, so I was able to go further.  That made me feel good.  Hubbie is a wonderful encourager and couch!  He tells me when I need to run and when I need to walk.

Speaking of running and walking, when my coach tells me I gotta run, its hilarious doing all this with the bigger boys.  Peanut is back in the stroller saying "GO MAMA!"  and then Bubbie is LOUDLY saying "GO MAMA GO! GO MAMA GO!  You can run faster!!!"  Its quite funny to witness, I'm sure!  The first day of this program, I could hear Bubbie ask his Daddy, "Why isn't Mama going faster?"  He just can't understand why his Mama is sooooooooooooooooo slow!

I'm proud that I've finally started a program and exercising is become something of a daily thing for me again.  Its been far too long!

One good thing about doing these programs(and giving up sweets for Lent, I'm sure) I've lost a bit of weight, but more inches than pounds.  I forgot to take my measurements before Jana and I started the T-TAPP program, but my capris and britches from before I got pregnant with Bean are fitting and a tiny bit loose.  Also, a pair of low cut jeans are so loose that I can pull them off without unbuttoning them, which is a big improvement!  The fact that I can get into Spring and Summer clothes, which is always worrisome after a long, cold winter and Christmas goodies, is a wonderful thing!

Ramblings from the Womb

Last night, as Hubbie made his lunch for today, I sat in the kitchen chair and flipped through the calendar.  Ever since doing marriage counseling, 4 yrs ago, we have had "30 mins" which is basically 30 minutes that I get to discuss business.  We discuss appointments, the children, things that need to get done and our calendar.  I get Hubbie's undivided attention for 45 minutes to a hr 30 minutes!  It has worked out well!  The marriage counselors suggested this because I would tend to bring up "business" items all day and every day.  This didn't give Hubbie a chance to really discuss items or even think about them.  My mind tends to work VERY quickly.  Hubbie has to think and mull over things and really, the only chance he gets to think is when he's running, so sometimes if we do do 30 minutes, things have to be "tabled" because we just don't know.

Anyway, yesterday while we were having a impromptu meeting, I slowly began to flip through the calendar.  Each month turned into me going through the year- deeper and deeper and before I knew it, I was at December.  Then my heart stopped.  There is black ink on December 4th said "Bubbie's 6th Birthday".  And then 15 days later, December 19th read "Peanut's 3rd Birthday".  I quickly turned back to September 15th and I had to catch my heart before it dropped into my stomach and it read "Bean's 1st Birthday".

Oh my! is right!   In just a few short months my baby will be a year.  How has this happened?  Where has time gone?  I feel like most days just FLY by and I wonder what have we done?!  Oh yes, naps, meals, diapers, playing and the day is gone- a day I can never get back.....  frozen in time in their little brains.....

Then I realized what that calendar held and represented...the future....the sad realization that my baby will be 1 in  less than 6 mos and that my first born, whom I brought home so very naive and stupid, will be 6 in less than 9 mos.... ACK!  I quickly told Hubbie what my heart was doing inside my chest.  It was breaking!  And then I uttered the words no father of 3 wants to hear.....  "My babies will be all grown up!  I won't have a baby anymore!"  And Hubbie saw the look on my face and it meant TERROR!!!!

Disclaimer: No, mother, we are not pregnant nor are we "trying"!  

Want A Free Movie?

Ever since becoming parents and especially after we began to pay off debt, Hubbie and I have made a decision to not see very many movies at the theatre.  The cost to see one movie now is just too much for us to swallow......  to read more visit here.  

Interrupt

I interrupt this week on the blog-o-sphere with a very important announcement....  

The babe is trying to crawl.  He got up on all fours this afternoon.  It won't be long now.  

Should I squeal with delight since the Bean is so proud of himself or should I push him down in hopes of keeping him my baby for just a wee bit longer?  

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of March 22st, 2010

Monday Evening- Leftover Beef Stew(which was SOOOO yummy!) and biscuits

Tuesday Evening- Oven Fried Chicken, roasted potatoes and carrots

Wednesday Evening- Leftover chicken, rice and veggie bag

Thursday Evening- Chicken with pasta/veggie bag, corn and bread

Friday Evening- Homemade Pizza and fruit

Saturday Lunch- Out
Saturday Evening- Leftover pizza and fruit

Sunday Lunch- Baked Spaghetti, corn on the cob and garlic bread
Sunday Evening- Country Fried Steak Bits, mashed potatoes and green beans

Almost the end of the month at our house, which means our food budget is getting on the low side!  I have made our menu and purchased all the groceries we should will need until the next pay day (Hubbie gets paid monthly).  This week we have used a few of E-mealz menu items and then a few of the things out of our freezer and "stock-pile".  Publix had some great B1G1 FREE sales this week!  

We have a fairly slow week ahead of us.  MOPS is on hiatus for a whole month... my responsibility load feels a lot lighter with such a nice long break.  I welcome the break on Tuesdays, but will miss seeing all our friends! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful and yummy week planned!  

For more menu planning tips and ideas, visit Laura.  

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring!  Spring!  Spring!

OH, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orcahrd white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

*A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost

Spring is here!  Spring is here!  What a wonderful weekend we had- together- as a family!  And we were all healthy (can I get an AMEN?!)  

Bubbie was under the impression that once March 20th rolled around, he could immediately being to wear shorts and sandals and the weather would always be spring-like!  Thankfully, God heard this little boy's pleadings and gave us beautiful and the most perfect weather!  It was in the 70s, sunny and breezy!

Disclaimer:  Don't worry- my children do not watch Sponge Bob!  

These Crocs were on sale MONTHS ago and Bubbie chose these!  

Wishing.....

..............a very happy birthday

to my sister in law on this first day of SPRING!  

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We love you and hope you have a wonderful birthday!  

St Patty's Day Parade- 2010

Even though I had a "traumatic" St. Patty's Day years ago, all holidays are fun with kids!  This year's St Patty's Day was no exception!

Bubbie's school has a preschool St Patty's Day parade every year.  It is so much fun to watch!  The kids have a blast and the Momma's are scurrying trying to capture all the cuteness on their cameras!

He was all smiles waiting for his Bubba!  

Little man just chilled and kicked his little legs while all the madness was going on!  

My big men!  So handsome, in their green, after the Parade!  

Don'tcha Know

Ever had one of those days?  I think my beautiful SIL summed it up nicely and I think she's right, at the end of one of "those days", you just look around, surveying the damage and realize, you'd rather be in this mess than wanting to be in it and not being able to be!  Thats probably why one of my favorite songs to sing during the day is  this one- 

This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made,

Well will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it,

This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.

Of course, the song is only sung with Keith Green in the background!  HA!  My family thinks my "love" for Keith Green is a little odd!

Speaking of my SIL, she and I are attacking a 14 day challenge of T-TAPP.  If you follow me on Facebook, you know that this is about to kill me!  My thighs are BURNING!  I have also been adding walking a mile or two, every day and this is also a big change for me!  We're almost done and yes, I have seen a difference!  My low cut jeans were so loose the other day, I could pull them off without unbuttoning.  WOO HOO!  Don't forget, I also gave up sweets for Lent.  I'm sure I've lost a few lbs from that too, because I LOVE.MY.SWEETS!

So, yes, I gave up sweets over 4 weeks ago and it has nearly killed me some days.  HA!  Hubbie caught me watching a TV show the other day and drooling over a dessert that a character was eating.  I cannot tell you how yummy it looked.  I think I was right there next to her and smelling the pastry.... I was THAT into the dessert!  I am very thankful that Easter is almost here.  I cannot decide what to eat first.  Ice cream, a brownie or Easter candy!  Decisions!  Decisions!!!

In other news, can you believe its been a WHOLE YEAR since God answered an amazing prayer?  If you don't believe in the power of prayer, you gotta read what happened to us last March.  I am still in awe of His love for His children.  And I miss the Bahamas.....  the quietness and stillness of the ocean and sitting on the beach.  Ahhhh.....  it was perfect and like a dream.

Things that were also like a dream, but much less dreamy, were the fact that I had to pay a late fee on my water bill.  Ahhhh.....$4.03 extra!  OUCH!  That really hurt...... MY PRIDE!  I thought it was due on Wednesday and it was due on Monday...the 15th!  DUH!  I should have mailed it off when I wrote the check ON THE FIRST(!) instead of keeping it in my purse to "drop off one day when I'm on that side of town" on the 15th!  Ugh.... I cannot even remember the last time I was late on a bill.  Even when we couldn't pay our bills, we always PAID them (robbed Peter to pay Paul) ON TIME!

Potato Person

In celebration of St. Patty's Day and all things Irish, Bubbie's school sent home a potato for the kids to dress up.  This was a family affair...one that was due on Monday....and something we all sat down to take care of around 8:30 on Sunday night!  Whoops!

Bubbie had decided on a clown as our family potato.  I didn't have anything "clown-ish".  So the next idea from our brilliant Bubbie, was a farmer.  I didn't think we had all the "things" for a farmer either, but between the three of us, we got something suitable for Bubbie to take to school with him!

Bubbie came home from school, on Monday, beaming!  He said his teacher thought his was the greatest of the class!  I seriously doubt that, because there were some creative potato people, but I was still proud of our potato person!  I wish I could save the potato forever!

St Pattys Day!

Everyone is so excited about St Patty's Day....except me!  HA!HA!  I carry around emotional baggage from this holiday.  Years ago, when I lived in Texas, and I was riding the school bus to Kindergarten, a little boy pinched me because I wasn't wearing the "correct" color of green.  I wish I had a picture of what I was wearing.  I still remember the dress like I wore it yesterday.  It was a mint green with smocking along the top.  And I thought I looked adorable.  Obviously this little boy did not.  I cried and the bus driver fussed at the little boy for pinching me.  I was scarred for life.  Until this day, I have not "celebrated" St Patty's Day!  

Moral of the story:  Don't pinch people!  It could result in life long trauma!

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  I wore TRUE GREEN today and dressed my boys in it too!!!  

Menu Plan Monday- March 15th thru 21st

Monday night- Leftover chicken pot pies and corn on the cob

Tuesday night- Leftover chicken and wild rice soup and sandwiches

Wednesday night- Beef Burgundy with noodles, peas and rolls

Thursday night- Pizza Night

Friday night- Leftover Beef Burgundy

Saturday Lunch- Leftover pizza
Saturday Night- Breakfast

Sunday Lunch- (no clue- will know once E-Mealz weekly menu comes out )
Sunday Night- (no clue- will know once E- Mealz weekly menu comes out)


Have a great week!  For more menu ideas, visit Laura!

We've Made It

Baby Bean is now 6 months old!  Whew!  We made it!  

Here he was just 6 short months ago....ahhh...be still my heart!  He still has my heart wrapped around his tiny fingers!  So handsome and happy!  And he still falls asleep JUST LIKE THIS after nursing!

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So, what have we been up to lately....hmmm.....let me think.....

He eats a lot.  I still have Baby Bean eating on demand.  I did figure it out one day, if he were eating on a schedule, it would be about every 2 to 3 hrs.  He can go 4 with no problem, just depends on his mood that day, if he's sleepy, what time of the day, etc.  

We don't sleep as much as we use to!  And that's putting it nicely!  He started waking up twice a night and then around 4 am, waking up and being WIDE AWAKE!  So, what did this Mother of the Year do, HA! I would rather not say, but since I'm such a real blogger, I'll tell you!  This Mother of the Year, plopped the babe into his carseat, strapped him in, turned on Baby Lullabyes, set the babe in front of the computer and went to bed!  I know!  I know!  Setting myself up for disaster and teaching my children to be dependent on TV and yada yada yada!   Well, after the 3rd or 4th night of this, I was done being "nice" and wanted some sleep!  Along with him not sleeping at night, he doesn't nap that well either!  Some days he does and some days he doesn't!  Now that this little bug is 6 mos, its time to get mean (i.e. cry it out is about to begin!)!  Don't judge!

Baby Bean is not sitting up by himself just yet.  He does really well if he sits in a soft bottom chair or on the bed and can almost lift himself up, etc., but if its on the floor, he can't do it.  He is also trying to crawl.  He has done an army type crawl thing, once or twice, so we know he knows how to make the moves.  Baby Bean does love to roll and roll and roll!  This child rolls from one end of the room to the next.  He gets stuck under things, knocks toys over on himself by kicking them and he such a mess!  His new name should be wiggle wart, because he figures out how to get from one toy to the next!  I am not looking forward to the crawling, because having a toddler in the house, and he not understanding not to throw crayons, small toys, paper, etc. on the floor is going to be a challenge!  We already found a small piece of paper in Baby's diaper and yes, I felt terrible!  Uhhhhh, I think the next 6 mos are going to be even wilder than the first!  

We began Baby Bean on cereal a little over a month ago.  He has finished his whole box of rice cereal and LOVED every bite!  We have now moved to oatmeal which he also loves!  Last week I gave him his first bite of banana and man! he fell in love!  We give some banana every day and it makes him extra happy!  Two nights ago I gave him some sweet potatoes and he gobbled those up quite fast too!  Next up is avocado! 

Baby Bean now goes to childcare once a week!  We attend Bible Study Fellowship again,  every Wednesday and they just started a Under 2 program, so the babies and I are able to go!  It works out nicely.  They have provided a nursing room so that I can feed whenever its needed.  Baby Bean has done so well and has no issues!  Last week, during our MOPS Steering Mtg, a coordinator told me that there was only one other baby in the room and since Baby was so close to 6 mos, I could take him in the room!  Baby ended up being the only child in the room, so he got lots of cuddles from 2 women!  He did great and when I picked him up, he was asleep!  (SCORE!)  

Odds and Ends: 

Baby is still is size 2 diapers.  He is in size 6 and 6-9 mos clothing, which makes this mama very anxious for summer!  The majority of his wintery things are beginning to be too short!  My little bug is quite long!  He has the most beautiful blue eyes...makes me think of the ocean!  He loves to chew on anything.  The saucer and tummy (which ends up being tummy, back, tummy back time) are his favorite things to do!  The bug enjoys Baby Einstein and being entertained by his brothers.  He has a special relationship with his oldest brother, who can make him laugh like no one else can!  If the baby is crying and I am busy doing something, Bubbie, my big helper, will run and entertain the babe until I can get to him!  Here lately, Peanut has finally realized that Bu-boo is a real person!  Peanut is very sweet to give baby lots of kisses and hugs.  He helps burp, brings toys and even runs to me when the baby is crying and lets me know something is wrong!  

Happy 6 months Baby Bean!  We love you so very much!

From Scratch

We make a lot of our own food from scratch.  Its usually a lot cheaper, but also, you know exactly what is going into those brownies or bread or whatever.  It makes me feel good to know that I am providing the "best" for my family.  I'm a snob like that, ya know?! 

Here is what we've been up to lately....

Granola Bars made by my husband

Yummy yummy bread!  (love love love this site! some great stuff!) made by my husband....errrrr....get the picture here?! 

 Lunch!!!  I love this pizza dough recipe!  Its easy enough to make for PJ day lunches!  

My husband and I both enjoy baking things from scratch and try to find recipes that are cheap and easy!  These are just a few of our staple foods around our house!  

The Dreaded Day....Part 2

The dreaded day.....has passed!  Bubbie is doing good!  Hubbie took Bubbie yesterday morning and he said that everything went well.  He didn't even notice the shot and kept chattering away!  Bubbie came home quite "drunk acting" and it was kinda funny.  We'd tell him to sit down and don't move and he'd be up in a second, trying to cruise the house!  He wouldn't get very far without bumping into a wall.  I was very concerned he was going to get hurt and run into the corner of table.  Thankfully, nothing happened to him!  Hubbie bought Bubbie some ice cream and he was very happy.  Also, none of the infection had spread, it was still contained, so antibiotics weren't needed.

While at the dentist, they told Bubbie that he could put his tooth under his pillow so that the tooth fairy could visit.  Bubbie was all questions about this "tooth fairy".  He wanted to know how she knew that kids had lost a tooth!  The tooth fairy did come to visit him last night!  Unfortunately we had little cash in our house and managed to find a quarter!  HA!  Not much for a first tooth "lost" but we'll give him more the next tooth lost...since it'll be a real lost tooth!

Thank you for all the words of encouragement and prayers!  He(and I) did great, so all prayers were answered!  

The Dreaded Day....

is upon us......

this little dude is having his tooth pulled and this mama is sad!  

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About a year and a half ago, my oldest Bubbie was getting out of the bath tub and he slipped.  His sweet little mouth landed on the edge of the tub, all his weight came down on his two front teeth.  To say that I was hysterical is putting it mildly!  I had no idea what to do!  Blood was everywhere!  I had visions of my brother's "near death" (me being dramatic! he fell and bonked his teeth) experience of his own, flashed before my eyes!  After a few minutes, he and I calmed down and I was able to look in his mouth.  One of his two front teeth was chipped and the other was a tad loose.  We called my dentist- no answer.  We called the doctor's office- they suggested the ER if stitches were needed, but otherwise, they said to just wait and call a pediatric dentist the next day... so we did.  We headed to the dentist the next day.  They took x-rays and everything seemed fine.  The dentist said that if any decaying started, it would take about 6 mos.  Well, during this whole time, every dentist appt that Bubbie has had, they take x-rays and ask very thorough questions about the tooth and any issues.  This past visit, they detected that there might be some decaying and a possible infection.  The tooth has definitely changed in color.  Not very visible yet, but if we let it go too long, the infection could be difficult to contain, SOOOOOOOO the tooth will be pulled tomorrow morning.  Hubbie will take him and Bubbie will be put on "happy juice".  I am a little nervous, which is why I will not be going!  

Just say a little prayer for my little man and this mama!  I was really hoping to avoid this!

Visiting With Family

We were all very excited to learn that my mother's parents, Granny and Papa, were going to be in town a few weeks ago!  I can't remember the last time we saw them....  2 summers ago?  That is probably the longest we've ever gone between seeing them!  Between their house burning down, them trying to find another house and then Granny having radiation and of course, us having another baby, little time off for Hubbie and trying to get debt paid off(... and blah blah blah blah) they just haven't gotten down here and we haven't gotten up there to visit!

Mom and Dad brought pizza and salad and we had a good time watching the kiddos be kiddos!  Granny and Mom played games with the older boys and brought gifts!  (Didn't get pictures of that, I guess?!)

I love this picture- of my Granny looking at my youngest and Peanut saying "cheese!" because all the cameras are on them!  Can you tell I take a few pictures?!  He is always ready for a pose!

The next morning we woke up with Bubbie throwing up and I was worried we had passed our stomach bug to my grandparents or parents.  Thankfully, God protected everyone that came over and only 3 out of 5 of us got the bug!

(I promise my oldest son was here that night!  He was probably bouncing off the walls- literally- and too busy to take pictures or chat!)  

Ten on Tuesday - March 9, 2010

Its absolutely a beautiful day outside (sunny, in the 70s and breezy!)and while the boys are napping, I decided to join in on this week's Ten on Tuesday!  For more, check out Roots and Rings!  






1. Of your current hobbies, which would you choose to spend more time, money and effort on?  Why?  

Not sure its still hobby if you hardly ever get to it, but I think it would be a tie between sewing and reading.  I enjoy doing both and just can't seem to find the time!  I know its just a season- Baby Bean will be sleeping and a non-nursing babe soon enough, so I am learning to enjoy this time and my hobby-less days!  

2. List other two hobbies/habitual activities (not chores) besides the one listed above that you regularly do now and didn't choose in Question # 1.  

I coupon pretty regularly, although, if you looked at my notebook, you would say its been very neglected.  I also enjoy blogging and also need to find some more time to catch up on that too!  

3. Why are you spending time on the above two hobbies/  habitual activities at all if you really wanted to spend your time on the first one you chose?...or to put it another way, what are these two hobbies/ habitual activities fulfilling that the first one doesn't if you don't want to put all your effort into the first one?

Good question!  I would love to have plenty of time to do all my hobbies, but I just haven't figured out HOW!!!  I tend to put sewing off because of the time that it takes to get everything set up.  I do not have a room that is completely child proof so that I can leave my machine out all the time.  I also don't have a large area, except for the kitchen table, to cut fabric out onto, so I never have more than a hour or two of free time.  By the time I got everything set up and got started, a child would probably wake up and I would have to pick up so that we could eat dinner, etc....  so, I tend to try and work on sewing when Hubbie is home and lately we've both been so busy and on the go or out spending time as a family, just haven't had a free and well day! As far as reading, I am very picky about my books.  Its been a while since I read a book that I couldn't put down.  When do I find a book or author that I love, I read-read-read!!!  Now, what do I get out of my hobbies or habitual activities- couponing- pride in knowing that I saved money.  I consider couponing NOT a hobby!  Its not fun especially when you're under a time crunch- which most of my activities are, but I feel it is a duty for me to stretch our budget and this is one way that I can do it.  Now blogging is something that I love to do, I feel I am serving a purpose and helping to chronicle my children's lives.  I do not do baby books.  I have tried and tend to forget dates, etc.  I can blog and I love the opportunities I have had by blogging!

4. Read John 3:16 in the Bible....In what way does this passage affect you?  What are your feelings towards these words, positively or negatively?
Well, first off, as a Christian, I view these words as a positive- a promise!  My feeble brain cannot comprehend the fact that someone could love something SO much that you would allow your child to suffer and die for "the cause"!  Can you?!  But through that loving and completely un-human-like sacrifice, we can have LIFE!  Not life here on earth, but everlasting life in that Big Big House!

5. M&M's:  nuts, no nuts, peanut butter?
Oh!  That is so easy!  Nuts and gotta have a coke to wash the peanut m&m;s down!  Yum!  Ok, next question... I gave up sweets for Lent and do NOT need to be thinking of things that I WISH I could be munching on!

6. Putting away the feeling of pride, being a bad thing; what secretly or opening are you proud about yourself?
Hmmm....gosh.... I don't know.  I could "steal" my SIL's answer and say being a stay at home mom.  I am proud of that achievement, because, for us, it WAS an achievement!  It was not a decision that we just made and dealt with.  It took a lot of work.... so I guess us becoming debt free would be my answer.  That we learned from our mistakes, corrected our behavior and began a new way of life for ourselves.  Lord willing, at the end of this year, we will be debt free.  We will begin Step 3 of the Dave Ramsey goals....

7. Given one room in your house to do with what you want, not changing the actual size of the room and with all the money you would need, what would you do?  and be specific!  
This isn't hard AT ALL!  We do not own the home we live in, but I  would rip out the cabinets and counter tops in the kitchen.  Replace the stove/ovens.  Paint the walls a darker yellow (we painted last year, but I'm not a fan of the color).  Then I would rip out the fireplace and have just a wall where the fireplace is!  Believe me- this house would need a ton of work to be worthy of buying!

8.  What's the next movie you're going to see?  Not what you'd LIKE to go see, but one you realistically are going to watch.  

We have Eagle Eye and the chick flick with Jennifer Anniston from Netflix, so I'll probably watch at least one of those sometime this week!

9. Use your keyboard only and make the best smiley/funny/cool face.


8-*

10.  What makes you cry?  What makes you pray?  What makes you laugh?

My parents, g'parents, siblings, kiddos hurting makes me cry.  My children and their future brings me to my knees in prayer.  My kiddos bring so much joy and laughter into my life.

Recipes

I've been busy over at the recipe blog today.  Check it out.

I've posted my Mom's fabulous home made pizza recipe over here and Sante Fe wraps over here.

Menu Plan Monday- Week of March 8th thru March 14th, 2010

Monday Dinner- Creamy Chicken Pasta, carrots and garlic bread

Tuesday Dinner- Breakfast (Waffles, fruit and Bacon)

Wednesday Dinner- Pizza Night

Thursday Dinner- Chicken Pot pies and corn on the cob

Friday Dinner- Leftover pasta

Saturday Lunch- Chicken and Wild Rice soup with corn bread
Saturday Dinner- Wedding to attend

Sunday Lunch- Pepperoni Pitas with chips and fruit
Sunday Dinner- Leftover soup with sandwiches

For more help and ideas on planning your week's menu, visit Laura.

We are doing the E-Mealz for the 3 or 4th week.  Again, its very nice to have something already planned for you.  All I have to do is choose which meals we will do, find a few coupons that correspond with the sale items on my list and get to the store!  The last part- getting to the store- is probably the hardest part!  We had an extremely busy week last week followed by a busy weekend.  We  are all tired of the "go-go-go" (Peanut says that as we run out the door)!  Unfortunately it doesn't look like this week will be any calmer!  But I am thankful for our health so that we can do so many things!  Much nicer than being sick and stuck at home!!!

Hope everyone has a good week!  

M.I.A.

Sorry I have been M.I.A. this week.  There are lots of things I could blog, but couldn't get them from my mind onto the post.  Ever have one of those days weeks in blogging?  Lots of stuff you could say.  Nothing interesting enough to spend the time to do it.  Yup!  Thats how I feel this week!

So, here goes that BORING post....

All is well in Lu land.  We are trying to recover from a week of sickies.  Our living room is filled with laundry.  Laundry to fold.  Diapers to stuff.  Clothes to hang up.  And I still have 2 loads waiting to be cycled through.  Seriously.  We have too many things to wash and not enough time or energy to get it all done in a decent amount of time.  I need a maid!

Bubbie has enjoyed being back into our weekly routine.  School gives him some stimulation and fun away from the babies.  He is very anxious for school to be over though.  He misses his friends dearly.  He can't have playdates during the week(because of school or activities) and since Tuesdays are full with MOPS and all our buddies have school on our PJ Days, he is looking forward to warmer weather and free play days!  I gotta say, I kinda agree with him!  I miss our walking and playing buddies from the summer and am looking forward to free days of playing and park fun!

Peanut is doing good and thankfully, back on his normal diet.  Yeah!  No puke since Thursday!!  He got lots of love yesterday at MOPS.  The teachers just LOVE him and think he is the cutest thing.... I have to agree!  He is my buddy when Bubbie is away at school.  He has been really into puzzles since the end of last year.  Now he carries around a wooden map of the U.S. and does it OVER AND OVER AND OVER again.  He is quite impressive, because this puzzle is something Bubbie had difficulty doing until a year or so ago.  Peanut has his very anal special way of stacking all the puzzle pieces and then saying "TA-DAH!" when he's all done.  Now that he is obsessed with Dora, he hugs his "map" puzzle and carries it around EVERYWHERE!

Baby Bean is doing well.  He is snotty AGAIN  which caused us to miss BSF again this week (more on that later).  This poor child has had a snotty nose, off and on, since before Thanksgiving!  I shouldn't complain though.  God was gracious and kept the baby and I unharmed from the dreadful stomach bug that passed through our house last week.  Baby Bean could possibly be teething.  He is definitely my different child.  My other two drooled from around 4 mos until 2 yrs old- off and on- of course and Peanut teethed before he was 6 mos.  This one doesn't drool.  He just chews on his toes and hands and ME!  Ouch!  He is sweet and cuddly and so very social.  He is anxious to get up and moving.  Not sure how he moves and gets to where he ends up, but he rolls and rolls and rolls and scoots on his tummy and ends up across the room!  He makes noises that his older brothers do and I have to really listen to see WHO made that noise!  I guess he mimics their sounds?!

Hubbie is doing good.  He just ran another race last Saturday that made him run a mile or so and then eat 6 Krispy Kreme donuts and then finish the race (another mile or so).  Can you imagine?  HA!  I had thought about doing the race UNTIL I heard about the donuts.  I like donuts, but 6 was WAY more than I could even DREAM of eating.  I can put 3 away, but after that I am on a sugar rush....6 was too many for me!

When Hubbie got home from the race, I escaped.  I had spent all week in the house and I was going bonkers.  The whole time the kiddos were sick, they seemed fine, but they would puke occasionally.  So imagine 2 wild monkeys being caged up for days!  They were going crazy.  We were all getting on each others nerves by the end and I had even let Peanut play outside in 40 degree weather!  I just wanted them to run and get out some energy for a little while!  So, anyway, I nursed Baby, pumped and ran out of the house.  Mom took me to lunch and then we went to a few stores before I dropped her off.  I took my old Bernina(given to me by my Granny) into the shop.  It hasn't been working right.  I had decided to purchase another machine, but after doing some research, we realized that there was no way I could replace that machine.  It is a old one, but a good one.  Well made.  So, I took that in to get cleaned up and CANNOT wait to get it back!  The sewing bug has been biting me and I want my machine back!!  Before I headed home and back to the real world, I ran into Goodwill.  By this point it was almost dinner so I just knew I wouldn't find anything good, but I did.  I found a brand new pair of Old Navy shoes for Peanut and a gently used pair of Carters shoes for Bubbie.  I found 2 cute little outfits for Baby Bean and a few videos.  All for $11.  Can't beat that!  By the time I got home, the boys were up from their naps and Hubbie had dinner waiting on me!  He had played with the kiddos, cleaned the house up a bit and made dinner!  I had to laugh when he told me "he hadn't stopped" all afternoon!  Yup...sounds familiar!!!  I was thankful for a bit of a break and to recharge!  Now if I could just get a nap!

Speaking of nap, 2 of my 3 are down for one and I've got to get this last one to drift off into sleepy land!

A Baby Shower!!!

Stephanie from Adventures in Babywearing is holding a virtual baby shower for her real life friend, Beth, who is pregnant and due soon.  
If you've never read Beth's blog, you should.  She has an amazing story of hope and love and courage and every time I read posts about her twins, I have tears in my eyes.    
Stephanie is hosting a shower for her with tons of fabulous goodies!!!  And we get to be apart of it too!
Head over to Adventures in Babywearing several times a day and enter to win some really cool gifts!

Menu Plan Monday- March 1st- 7th

Monday- Enchiladas, cantaloupe and chips/salsa

Tuesday- Meat Loaf, mashed potatoes, biscuits and corn

Wednesday- Creamy Chicken Pasta, broccoli and rolls

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday- Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

Saturday Lunch- Sloppy Joes, fries and fruit
Saturday Dinner- Roast, mashed potatoes and carrots

Sunday Lunch- Leftovers
Sunday Dinner- Beef Burgundy, noodles, peas and corn bread


We are, hopefully, out of the sickies!  Boy!  Last week was a long week... kind of like an outer body experience!  I know I was there... just hard to remember being there, because I was just going through the motions... numb and tired!  I am thanking Jesus for no puke since Thursday evening.....  Now I just gotta re-group and recover!  The house is slowly being picked up and cleaned and laundry is getting folded.  My wonderful Hubbie kept the boys on Saturday afternoon for about 4 hrs while I went out to lunch and shopping with my mother.  I even stopped by Goodwill and found a few treasures for $11!  All in all, a great weekend and we survived the 2nd onslaught of sickies this year.  Its nice to be able to leave the house again!

We are still doing E-Mealz.  I wrote my thoughts on the program, thus far, over here.  Since we didn't eat much last week AND we have had leftovers from last week's menu, I only needed to add a few meals.  I plugged in our favorite pizza and breakfast night, so that helped stretch us until E-Mealz came out with another menu next Wednesday (10th).

Hope everyone has a wonderful and healthy week!


For more menu planning ideas, visit Laura.