Germs and Jesus

Saw this posted on Pinterest( found on etsy) and I giggle every time I see it.  

If you know me, you know I'm a huge GERM-A-PHOBE! And I believe in the power of prayer, because I've seen Him answer in amazing ways!  

Must get this!  :o)  

Motherhood and Body Image

Baby Girl is 6 weeks old (update to come... been a busy week) and I have made it through my 6 weeks of c-section recovery with few issues.  I saw my OBGYN today and have been "cleared" for life!  Sadly, I really didn't have much more than two weeks of "down time" and since then, its been life as usual for this Mama of four.

As I begin to plan and focus my thoughts towards weight loss, I can become discouraged that even though I did lose my "baby weight" from this pregnancy, I am no where near the "size" I wore.  Finding pants to fit is becoming rather difficult and skirts and stretchy pants have become my best friend. Even though I just had a baby six weeks ago, I am anxious to lose this weight and get my body back!

I am encouraged by these words below....

Motherhood is a demanding job. It is so demanding and intrusive, in fact, that it takes over your body. It uses your body, oftentimes rather roughly. This can start to bother us.

Our bodies are tools, not treasures. You should not spend your days trying to preserve your body in its eighteen-year-old form. Let it be used. By the time you die, you want to have a very dinged and dinted body. Motherhood uses your body in the way that God designed it to be used. Those are the right kind of damages. There are of course ways to hurt your body that are outside of God’s design for it and disobedient. But motherhood is what your stomach was made for – and any wear and tear that it shows is simply the sign of a well-used tool. We are not to treat our bodies like museum pieces. They were not given to us to preserve, they were given to us to use. So use it cheerfully, and maintain it cheerfully.

Scars and stretch marks and muffin tops are all part of your kingdom work. One of the greatest testimonies Christian women can have in our world today is the testimony of joyfully giving your body to another. While so many women choose to not have children or abort the children they were given, the testimony of women who know the cost and joyfully pay it is profound. So make sure that you aren’t buying into the world’s propaganda. The reason why so many women don’t want to do it is because it is very hard and has very real costs. The Christian view of self is very different, and you need to make sure that it is the one you have.

(Rachel Jankovic – wife and mom to 5)

A Mama With Wood Floors

In the past, when Hubbie and I talked about owning a home, we never did much dreaming.  We are practical.  We know how much things cost and there isn't much use to dreaming when you are a realist and know dreaming doesn't put the money in your pocket book!  But we always said we hated our carpet.  The last place had berber carpet and yes, its nicer than tradition carpet, but it still was a pain because of sippy cup spots or dirty marks made from little boy's muddy shoes!  So, in the Spring, when we began looking at homes, most of the places had hardwood floors and we thought it was SO nice!  

Fast forward a few months and we've now lived in our home for 2 months (this weekend!  YAY!).  We have hardwood floors and the amount of dust is insane!  I sweep our hallway and living room daily....sometimes twice a day.  Our kitchen must be swept several times a day and the fact that our kitchen is connected to our living room, I'm sure makes it a bit easier to get messes from one room to another.  But not only do we have to wrestle with the hardwood floors and dirt that travels to them, but also the rugs.  Pulling out the heavy vacuum daily just isn't going to happen.... Although, I must say, we're doing pretty good with sticking to the rule of keeping food at the table and its helped!  Drinks?  We're not doing so hot.... but one thing at a time!  Anyway, since moving in, we have been dreaming of some type of device that would make cleaning up a bit easier!  I've drooled over all the spiffy new contraptions, but haven't found anything that did everything I needed it to and is the right price!    

Wal-Mart had a sale on their Bissell 3 in 1 lightweight vacuums and I immediately purchased one!  This new handy-dandy vacuum came to us this morning.  We quickly plugged it in and I was able to vacuum the area rug in the living room and the hardwoods around the rug in less than 2 mins.  Its amazing!  And another thing that sold me on this was the fact that its also a handheld vacuum!  Love it for the car and smaller messes!!!  And for $15- who could beat this!!!  

Now, who wants my 3 yr old vacuum for a steal of a price?!  That big boy is taking up much needed space!!

Moments From the Sleep Deprived

At the doctor's office on Thursday, the doctor and I were discussing Baby Girl's weight gain.  I kept saying it was such fantastic weight gain for a week.  He continually said 10 days.  I kept referring to it as 7 days.  HAHA!  He left the room to grab something for us and while he was gone, I realized that we had been to the doctor's office the week before on a Monday and it was indeed a Thursday.  DUH!  Once the doctor came back in, I apologized and told him why I kept saying a week!  Time flies, huh?!

As we were leaving the doctor's office, I made Baby Girl's appointment for a 2 mos. well baby check up.  I knew all my boys were due visits in the next few mos, so I went ahead and requested that one, if not all three, boy have the same appointment, to decrease the amount of trips to the doctor's office!  When we decided that Bubbie would be the lucky winner of that particular day appt, the receptionist asked what Bubbie's birthdate was.  I told her Dec. 5 over and over again.  I probably told her three or four times.  Finally she asked, are you sure its not Dec. 4.  HAHA!  Yes, yes it is!  DUH!

After leaving the doctors office, Baby Girl and I headed to the bank to do a stop payment on a check that has been lost in the mail.  I opened my purse, grabbed my wallet and started to search for my ID.  Hmm.... no ID.  This is not good.  Especially when you were wanting to get cash from the bank as well.  UGH!  Thankfully, the lady was able to verify some information for me and helped me out so that I did not have to come back to the bank with all four kiddos.  While signing some paperwork, I wrote July 21st 2010.  Hmmm...... not good!

I told the lady at the bank about all my "moments" in the last hour and she and I had a good laugh about the "fog" that you are in after having a baby!!!  Goodness!  Maybe I shouldn't be allowed to drive!

Brain Clutter

Have you ever had a cluttered brain?  One that is so cluttered and has a million, zillion things in it.  Last week I walked around thinking that we were forgetting to be somewhere or do something.  I never remembered what it was.  Maybe I didn't forget.  It sure felt like it though.

Thankfully the closing process is still going smoothly.  I can only give the Lord credit for that.  He has continued to answer prayers and make it so that we can truly see His hands in this process.  We fought the idea of buying a house, kicking and screaming, but when God works it out in so many areas and down to such details that we couldn't have possibly orchestrated, we gotta step back and watch Him work.  As long as we continue to have smooth sailing, we will close next Friday and I cannot WAIT to get this part of our lives behind us and life back to "normal".

I was reminded the other day, in a totally unrelated way, to stop and enjoy this process.  I think my worries, frustrations, anxiousness and fatigue are starting to take over.... what I really need to be doing is continuing to praise Him and trust Him.  Like I said above, this is a totally God thing.  Only He could have arranged everything to happen the way it did.  It truly is a miracle of events.  Hubbie and I are still dumbfounded by the way God worked out such details.  All we can do is chuckle.  I know this has got to be satan's doing, the stress and worry, so I need to keep focused on this moving and home buying being a blessing from God and not a curse.  I was thinking (more like fussing under my breath) that I would never buy a house in June, 31 weeks pregnant, but God knew we'd go through this, during this time in our family, so He has a plan.  I must trust that He will continue to provide and give us the ability and help that we need.

Our home is currently in the state of no return.  Boxes are everywhere.  Clutter.  Junk.  I'm going crazy with chaos!  I had Hubbie tear down the boy's beds (since its so time consuming and in an effort to save time next week) so their mattresses are on the floor. Since we tore down the crib, I set up the pack-n-play in the big boy's room for Buggy and now we all have 3 in there.  Buggy's room has turned into the storage room.  Boxes and boxes and boxes EVERYWHERE!  Sadly, we've packed his room and must start stacking boxes somewhere else.

On Sunday I plan to cook up several meals for the week and pack our kitchen.  It'll be so nice to have the kitchen cabinets cleaned and everything packed away.  The kitchen is always the last thing for us to pack, on moving day, I'm always finishing that last annoying job.  Thanks to a friend's suggestion, I am going to pack away almost everything (dish and cooking wise) and use paper plates, cups and disposable utensils.  Hopefully this will make our week a little smoother and make that final day in the house much less chaotic.  Did I mention that this is our 6th move in almost 9 years of marriage.  9 years ago in the middle of June, 2 days before we got married, Hubbie and I moved all our stuff in our first apartment.  From then on, we moved to various places, locally, and now, finally, we are moving somewhere that is ours and Lord willing, a blessing to our family!

Speaking of normal, I am 31.5 weeks pregnant now and am remembering all the aches and pains and tiredness that I had at this stage with Buggy.  I guess we were chugging through the end of the 2nd trimester so fast with house hunting and all that stress, I didn't even think about my body and now its giving me big warning signs to slow down!  I pack a box or two and my back is ACHING!  I am trying to be productive in the morning and evenings and lay down at nap time.  It doesn't always work, but that is my goal.  Some days it doesn't work out and some days even resting for a hour or two doesn't help at all.  I am so thankful for my husband.  He is my biggest help and will pick up my slack on bad days.

One of my many brain clutters is schooling.  Area schools are finishing up in the next few days and this was around the time that I wanted to start back.  We haven't touched any schooling in about 3 weeks and I gotta admit, its nice to not have that to think about or stress about next year. I haven't asked anyone to do anything even REMOTELY school related.  We've watched entirely too much T.V., played outside and enjoyed our laid back mornings of playing.  I had on the calendar to start school around Memorial Day and since we'll still be in moving, heck, I know it'll be the LAST thing on my mind!  So, my question is, when do we start?  We have VBS one week in June.  Another week I am thinking about sending Bubbie to a space type camp in town.  Then you add in the week of trying to get organized and cozy in our new place.... its almost July by that point, so who knows.  Part of me says, if I can't even get started before July, why try, knowing the baby will be scheduled to come sometime mid July.  But then I think about not starting until September and gosh! that puts us getting out so late!  And I enjoy having flexibility of taking a day off if its nice outside, etc.  So, who knows.....  I need to get a start date so that I can turn the form into the state.  I guess we'll cross that bridge next week after the move. And speaking of crossing that bridge, I guess I had better finish ordering Bubbie's math materials.  Eeek!  Completely forgot!!!

Another brain clutter, back to the move, is that every stinkin' place requires a transfer fee for utilities... even if you're already a customer AND the utilities are already on at the new place.  So frustrating!  I mean, these fees aren't cheap either.  Its not $20 or $30 bucks!  One was over $60!  Craziness!  And then on top of it we'll have random half bills from this place and the new place and for me, an anal money person, I'm trying to keep it all straight!  I actually have a "money" book that if I lose this in the next week or two, during the move, I may die!  It has everything that we're required to pay, dates and appointments for people to come do stuff for us, closing notes, etc.  If I lose this, it'll be bad news!  :o)

The plan this weekend is to tackle our bedroom and laundry room. Its been on the "to-do" list for about a week or two and it MUST get done!  I just pray that we can get though what needs to be done, because right now, I'm feeling overwhelmed and just want to sit down and cry!

Do-It Yourself Camera Strap Cover & Felt Flower

For nine months I have been drooling over different camera strap covers listed on Etsy.  I go online to buy one and something has stopped me and then I spend my blow money, so I wait for the following month to buy it and so on and so forth it goes.

A few weeks ago I started looking closely at an Etsy store that had camera strap covers listed for sale.  I began to realize that basically it was just a "slip cover" for my camera strap and that I knew I could handle that sewing challenge!

Now, the real challenge was to find a fabric that Hubbie wouldn't think was too girly.  Ya know, since I'm the one to ALWAYS take a picture!  I wouldn't DARE do anything that could possible hinder the taking of a picture of myself with the kids!  HAHA!  So, I dug through my fabric stash and found something that I thought was semi boyish.

Then I got the brilliant idea to add a felt flower to the end since the "boy-ish" fabric wasn't girly enough.  I wanted a ruffle, but knew I would have to add that to another strictly Lu camera strap!  I made the felt flower removable so that if my darling Hubbie was taking a BUNCH of pictures...ya know.... say.....at the hospital in a few weeks while I am passed out on pain killers..... he could remove it!  :o)

FYI- he assures me he is secure in his masculinity to handle the felt flower!  ;o)

So, I set to work on the camera strap this afternoon and was shocked by a few things.... first of all, this was one of the easiest sewing projects I've ever done.  It was done, start to finish within a hour or so.  Secondly, it took hardly any fabric.  Awesome!  And thirdly, how do people on Etsy get away with charging anywhere from $15-50?!?!  It probably costs a dollar or two to make!  Of course, I had all the supplies on hand, so it was free for me to make this one!

Why haven't I made one before now?!



**I used this tutorial for the felt flower.  I've made several of these from her tutorial and its so easy and quick! 
I made up my own "pattern" for my camera strap and just kinda winged it, but if you're needing more instruction, check this out.  **  


And don't forget the RECARO giveaway going on here.  It ends tomorrow night!  

Trip to North Carolina, March 2011

Whew!  What a weekend!  I don't even know how time flew by so quickly, but it did!  On Friday evening I was having trouble getting excited about leaving the kids.  I knew they would be fine.  I knew that God was watching over them.  I knew my parents would do a great job with our three little monsters, but I was just having the hardest time wanting to go away.  I know...crazy...crazy....but I truly love being with my kids.  Sure, I enjoy breaks, but I love LOVE LOVE to be at home with my kids in their beds, every night.  I just do not enjoy them not being at home at night.  Call me crazy Mama!  :o)

Saturday morning came and we woke up late and got on the road late.  I was able to say good-bye without crying, got breakfast and we headed down the road.  We hadn't been on the road for two hours when my Daddy called me.  I got a knot in my stomach the size of Texas.....  my Mom and kiddos were locked out of the house.  It took everything in me not to cry and tell Hubbie to turn the car around THAT instant!  All I wanted to do was fix it and make sure my kids were OK.  My family wasn't only locked outside of the house, but the van keys were in the house....so they couldn't go anyway.  It was almost lunch time and it was warm on Saturday.  Anyway, all these thoughts went through my head and I panicked.  I called the rental agency to see if they charged a small fee for "lock outs" and they did not.  I then decided to call the Sheriffs dispatch office to see if they could help unlock the door knob....maybe with a punch key or credit card.  The lady on the phone was the wife of a officer on patrol in our area so she sent him out.  He tried his "trick" and it didn't work.  The whole time we are still driving further away from my children and locked out parents!  Anyway, my Dad eventually found a way into the house.  Thank the Lord! for not having to spend $50 on a lock smith!  Everyone was fine and the crisis was over!

We got to "packet pick up" for the Marathon, ate lunch and then checked into the hotel.  Then we ran out for dinner, drove around to see where we needed to go the next day, made a quick trip to Wally World and went back to the hotel for a early to bed night!

On Sunday Hubbie had to wake up around 4 am to eat something and get ready for the race.  I woke up around 5 and drove him to the shuttle pick up.  My stomach was in knots dropping him off.  He looked so pale and nervous!  All his training for 3.5 mos was about to either pay off or he was going to get hurt or not be able to run past 20 miles..... we were both so nervous!  All I could do was pray for the Lord to encourage him along the way, give him strength to finish and to give him pride to know that no matter what, he was doing something amazing!  I went back to the hotel.  It was only 5:30 and breakfast wasn't being served until 7 and of course, I couldn't go back to sleep, so I watched Fox News, blogged and got ready.  Around 7, I hear an alarm out in the hallway.  It was a fire alarm!  My heart was pounding!  It was one of those things you see in movies or hear about happening, but I froze!  What are you suppose to do?!  So I opened the door slowly, looked around, didn't see smoke, but the alarms were flashing and VERY LOUD!  I grabbed my purse and found the stairwell.  Once I got downstairs, I could see a Bunch of other guests talking about what was going on.  I guess it was an "accident", so I ate breakfast and went back upstairs!  I finally left the hotel at 9:30 in order to park at shuttle pick up and then have plenty of time to get to the race finish line.  Well, when I got to shuttle parking, it was full, so they had a map to another parking location!  What a crazy morning!  I found the spot, parked and no parking or racing officials were there.  Just a long line of spectators waiting!  So I stood in line, HOPING I would make Hubbie's finish time!  We stood in line for 30 mins, something I had not expected or had been told for us to expect waiting that long!  All the racing info was very encouraging about plenty of parking, quick shuttles to and from the race finish line, etc. etc. etc.  Well, we finally got on a shuttle and got to the finish line 20 mins AFTER Hubbie was suppose to finish!  I was so sick about this!  Here my husband just ran his FIRST marathon.... less than 3 years after starting to run at 340 lbs!  I did not want to miss this milestone in his life!  Once the shuttle dropped us off, you had to HIKE to the finish line!  I was busting some butt... so worried that if only I had walked a little faster, I would have seen him!  We all get to the finish line and guess what?!  The race had started 20 mins late!!!  What a blessing!  I was in PLENTY of time!  I got a spot right in the front row, at the finish line and was able to see him finish!

Lots of tears of joy and happiness!  I just can't tell you how many things "worked out" for us on Sunday.  First with the shuttles and then, our hotel wasn't the "race" hotel, because we didn't book early enough, so we had found a hotel, very inexpensive, in the race area, that would allow a slightly later check out time, but then, because of poor shuttle management, we weren't going to be able to make our "late" check out.  Most check outs are at noon. The Wingate was giving us until 1 to check out, at no charge.  Well, once Hubbie finished, we had to stand in line for about a hr to wait on the shuttles to take us back to overflow parking and then we STILL had to drive back to the hotel and get our stuff, so I called, so worried that we would have to pay.  Thankfully, the gal said we had until 3 without a charge!  Another huge blessing!  We made it back to the hotel at 2pm and Hubbie was able to shower and change.  Then we were back on the road for lunch and then a 2 hr trip to Mount Pleasant, N.C. for our bed and breakfast night.

Mount Pleasant is a very VERY small town.  We stayed in the Franklin Street Bed and Breakfast.  Sweet people.  Very beautiful, old historic home.  We had the place to ourselves since we were the only guests!  We checked in and walked to dinner at a "mom and pop" local place that served lots of dinner plates with veggies, homemade burgers, fried chicken and lots of yummies!  Hubbie was able to replenish some of the 4,000 calories that he had burned that morning!  Then we were treated with cheesecake and blueberries and coffee before going to bed EXTRA early!  We were EXHAUSTED!

On Monday, we woke up to coffee and juice awaiting outside our door.  We were able to take our time getting ready and then we ate a yummy breakfast!  We didn't have to make it or clean it up!  What a treat!  Then we headed to Charlotte and the big shopping trip at IKEA!  When I tell you this place is HUGE.... I mean HUGE!  Hubbie and I just gawked in awe at the store front!  We laughed at taking this picture, but only he and I knew why.  I've been getting catalogs from IKEA for about 2 years and have had things thumbed down, written down or mentally jotted in my head.  I was PREPARED for this trip!  We enjoyed wandering through the shop, but by the end of the "show room" I was done!  HAHA!  I guess I'm not that much of a shopper!  I wish the showroom was set up with the items near by to pick up.  I know IKEA does this on purpose... the longer you're in there, the more you spend, etc.  The store is literally a maze!  Anyway, we got everything on our list and made a few mental notes for things that could help organize the boys room.... if we have the extra funds, we may go back and purchase.  Once we checked out, we headed upstairs to eat lunch.  Hubbie has been awaiting their Swedish meatballs and gravy!  He said they were pretty tasty!  We enjoyed our lunch and dessert and then raced to the car to get home!  We had no intention of spending 4 hrs at IKEA.  I was really hoping to be home by 3.  Instead, we were home by 5!  Eeek!  I know my Mama was ready to be done!  ;o)

We made it home safely, with no traffic issues... another praise!  Our kiddos were happy and not so deprived of restrictions and rules that they were unruly...another blessing.  The home was clean and we were able to come home and unpack quickly!

The Lord answered so many prayers for this weekend... prayers for safety and health for the whole family,  a great finish for Hubbie and some quiet time for me and Hubbie.  And we are so grateful to my parents for being so willing to take care of our three boys.  My kids are great kids, but, they are kids and can be a handful.....and for that very reason, we are EXTRA grateful for their willingness!

The weekend was definitely geared towards Hubbie running this race, but I did enjoy being there to support him.  I am very thankful that this race is over and done with and hopefully we can put racing to the side for a few months!  Hubbie jokes that the racing bug has been bitten for a while!  I know it won't be long before he starts planning and scheming and trying to see where he can get us to next!  But I am very proud of all his accomplishments and determination.  I have no desire to run or walk 26.2 miles, but I am very thankful that he's done something that makes him happy, feel accomplished and also, keeps him healthy!

IKEA Trip

I have a whole blog post about this weekend just awaiting pictures, so until then, I wanted to show you what I purchased after spending 4 hours at IKEA today!


Drum roll please....

We decided on this table.  We have been looking for a kids table for a year.  I really wanted a kids table and chairs like you see in church's classrooms.  I was REALLY hoping I could find some at a yard sale or on Ebay/Craigslist.  No luck.  So, this will have to do.  We looked at the wooden tables at IKEA.  They were way too low for Bubbie.  We looked at other options, such as a wall of table tops attached to the walls, with chairs lined up, which I loved the look of and the organization, BUT, we couldn't move it around.  The kids would be stuck against a wall.  I really wanted some flexibility with the table.  So, we chose this round table.  

Then we had to decide on chairs.  Did we want chairs or stools.  We choose stools.... for several reasons.  First of all, we didn't feel like the backs of the chairs (that we tested out at IKEA) were sturdy.  We were afraid that our boys would be a bit too rough with them.  We also thought that for the price, we couldn't go wrong with getting these stools and if we found small classroom type chairs for a thrifty price, we could get those to go with the table.  

We also decided to not get baby girl a chair!  We realized, while calculating months of when she'd be ready for a chair at a kids table, that Bubbie will be almost 8!  ALMOST 8?! by the time Baby girl is 12-18 mos.  Gessh!  By that point, he'll be too big for this table anyway and if we need to, and if this table lasts that long, we'll just let her use his stool or get her a new one, etc.  

We did purchase this for baby girl.  :o)  The high chair wasn't a urgent thing on my list.  I had already planned on buying a space saver high chair for her off craigslist closer to her needing it.  We saw these and thought about it for a while.  We thought that this would be super easy to clean, took up little space, easy to transport, etc.... and its only $20!?  So we went with it!  If we don't end up liking it, I can sell it.  So that made it an easy choice!  We ended up purchasing the tray that goes with it and I'm very happy with this purchase!  

One BIG thing we went to IKEA for were lamps that would be mounted to the walls, so that the boys could have light on their "bunk" and the ability to turn off/keep on depending on their sleep patterns.  One kiddo likes a light off pretty quickly after he's in bed.  Another kiddo likes a light on, so we figured this would help.  We ended up choosing something similar to this... or this may be it. 

 I've forgotten by now!  We looked at so much!  

We looked at quite a few.  Some of them were extremely hot, so that worried me.  A few of them, I really liked, but the cost x 3 was a bit for this project, so we went with cheap and functional rather than something that I loved!  ;o)  This works and hopefully we can lay a few ground rules and we'll have obedient boys!  

You can literally spend all day inside an IKEA.  We didn't know they had a drop off children's play area!  Did you know you can drop your kids off at a staffed kids area?!  I was shocked!  This place sure does think of everything so that you can spend all day shopping!  Food- they've got it.  Shopping carts, bags, carts- they've got it.  Pencils and maps and helpers around the store- they've got that too!  Geesh!  As cool as it was to go, I'm exhausted just at the mention of IKEA!  LOL  Its gonna be awhile before I get  up the energy to go on a shopping trip again!  

One last purchase that I'll mention is canisters!  Canisters is something that I have a hard time spending money on.  I spent MONTHS trying to find red canisters that weren't "dorky" looking.  I finally found some that I liked the look of at TJMAXX YEARS ago!  I don't even know if Peanut was born yet.  Well, they weren't ceramic canisters so they've had some wear on the insides, so I had to use a ziploc bag inside of them to store the item inside the canister.  Its been fine.  Hasn't bugged me.  And the outside has been good to go, but over the time, the outside has gotten so much dirt and food and junk stuck on them, I haven't really been able to get them super clean, so I decided on Friday that I'd see what they had.  I found these.  

A tad too modern for my taste, but I figured I could spruce them up a big.  For $4 bucks each, I thought I couldn't go wrong.  I thought either a spray painted red lid?  Or if I got really creative, I could do this....

Maybe a chalkboard square so that I can write whats inside?!  We shall see!  For now, I'm just THRILLED to have clean canisters awaiting me!  

So, all in all, we did great with our budget.  We didn't pick up anything we didn't need or what wasn't on the list!  After months and MONTHS and MONTHS of drooling over catalogs and seeing what others suggested, I am so thankful to have our trip over and done with!  I was amazed with some of the prices, but other things, Hubbie and I were like, "We can get that at home for that price!" so we definitely didn't get caught up in the "its gotta be cheap since its at IKEA"!  We also got a lot of great ideas!  Boy!  What money can help you do!  If only you had oodles of money, your house would be so organized!  HAHA!  We did drool over a few of the rooms.... and yes, Hubbie did get into some of the rooms and furniture!  I was surprised!  ;o)  He and I definitely have a similar taste in decorating/design after almost 9 years of marriage and 11 years of being together.

Whirlwind! And Catch Up!

Wow!  What a week!  I don't think I stopped for a chance to catch my breath!  I spent the entire week on laundry, school and cleaning.  I wanted every bit of laundry cleaned and put away before we left for Hubbie's marathon.  I am proud to say that only a tiny bit of last minute laundry was left at home!  YAY!  Also, my sweet, hardworking husband cleaned both bathrooms from top to bottom!  When I say cleaned, I mean, on his hands and knees and scrubbed every single inch!  It looks SO good!  All day on Friday, I kept reminding him how much I appreciated it, because they looked THAT good!  We have those tiny old tiles in both bathrooms, so if you sweep, the dirt just gets caught in the grout.  UCK!  It needs a good cleaning like this once a month!  Anyway, it feels SO good to know that the bulk of the laundry is done and the house is clean!

The weather was beautiful this past week.  Friday was so warm that I pulled out the sprinkler and water table for the kids!  Yay for Spring!  Speaking of Spring, today is the first day of Spring!!!  Georgia sure is showing signs of it as well!  We left home in a cloud of yellow dust!  Literally!  Nothing like Spring with all the pollen!  Our azaleas are in full bloom!  So pretty!

My sweetest sister in law's birthday is today also!  Happy Birthday Jana!  I love my sister in law like a sister and am so thankful for her.  My grandparents laugh at memories of my feelings towards Jana when she and my eldest brother started dating.  I did not like her.  Not her personally.  I didn't know her.  I didn't like ANYONE that was going to take my Bubba away!  Thankfully, I realized quickly that she was really what my brother needed and something special!  I wish we lived closer and could raise our children (she is pregnant with no. 4 as well!) together!  What fun our crews would have together if we were close enough for weekly/monthly get-togethers!

A Few Reminders...

As I was pondering my "energy" levels and how I was able to get so much done in such a short amount of time AND my lack weariness by the end of the day, I slowly began to realize that it WAS of God.....and He is more than good.

Think about it.... this girl, me, had a VERY VERY messy, cluttered home...... and she was very sad by circumstances of life.  He sent a few grandparents and hours of quiet..... and she was some how not overly exhausted by life....and got busy.  This is NOT like the girl...... and yet, she got it all done...... Not only does a clean and organized home make this Mama function better, BUT it also makes her happy and God knew that.  He knew that because He created her to be a little uptight....a little neat freakish...

.....and He loves me because of it!  Isn't He good?!  What encouragement.

While reading this weekend, I ran across a few passages that spoke volumes to my weary soul.....

"....because  you are precious to me.  You are honored and I love you."  Isaiah 43:4  

"Let the whole world glorify the Lord;  let it sing His praise."  Isaiah 42:12

And God lovingly reminded me, about four times on Friday, my emotional, cry all day, at anything anyone said or sent to me, of this verse.... it was everywhere.  Facebook.  Blogs.  The radio.  So finally, as I crashed into bed, I told the Lord thank you for the message, because yet, again, I heard it, on the radio.  The radio in the bedroom that I had turned off earlier......  yup!  God gets His message across..... in a whisper.... not a shout!  

"Don't worry about anything: instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  

But.... have you ever read the verses above?  It speaks of being full of joy...IN THE LORD......  Goes  back to my joy posts(here and here) and how do you have joy?  Well, obviously, Paul? Paul right?  Philippians?  He knew.....  Friday was NOT my joyous day.  It started off with me crying... for no reason....and being angry..... and resentful.  Then a blogger sent a beautiful email full of encouragement....and that started it...... I bawled, in my living room......  thankfully God knew I needed 3 kiddos to still be asleep and a husband already at work.  Then, as the morning went on, I was short tempered.  I wanted a pity party.  The day went from bad to worse...as far as emotions went.  I went to my mom's to pick up a bookshelf and was a blubbering fool.... couldn't stop.  I cried for the next few hours off and on.  I didn't have a tissue...and poor Bugs..... riding in the car with his Mama making noises.  :o)  I did NOT have joy and I was forgetting who I was.  I was down about circumstances and I let it get the best of me.  True, I am pregnant and hormonal, but still, I should cling to His promises.  So, I did that.... I made a list of blessings and prayed and thanked God for each and every one of them.....  I told God what exactly we needed.  And I found some peace amidst the uncertainty because His promises.  And because I am His.  I am precious.  I am loved.  I was bought for a price.  And because of what He has done.... 

While I Got A Sec...

Peanut just got home from spending the day with Nana and Pops.  Bubbie is still with Ma and Pa.  Buggy decided to have a party in his bed and is still napping.  So, while I got a second, I thought I'd show the blog-o-sphere what I've been working on.

Now, let me tell you, these rooms did NOT LOOK LIKE THIS 48 hrs ago, so please, don't think I'm a 'SuperMom' because this is a NEW thing....for my home to be semi straight.....my home does NOT look like this.  I think I found a burst of energy or motivation.  Don't ask me where it came from, because peeps, my home has been neglected for a LONG TIME.  I just haven't seemed to  have any energy or motivation...... and with the kids here with me 24/7, I just haven't had a chance to do anything with them under foot or pulling things out behind me.  Maybe its "of God"..... He knew I needed a burst of something to brighten my week!  These neat and organized rooms or spaces are because of grandparents taking my children.  Thank you grandparents!!!

This bookshelf has all of our schooling, coloring books, papers and supplies.  Those little containers are old brown tupperware canisters(found at Goodwill for $4 about a year ago).  I spray painted them(and my patio table/front porch! Oops!) black and then with a coat of chalk board spray paint.  Then I wrote with chalk what was to go in each bucket.  One has crayons.  One has markers.  And the last one has craft supplies- paint, stamps, etc.  On the bottom shelf, I have my cookbooks which have been taking up space in a cabinet that I desperately need for mixing bowls and measuring cups.  

I've wanted to  have one spot for all our "schooling" materials for quite some time.  I went back and forth about where I wanted it and what I wanted.  I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a school room, but that isn't a reality or, really, a need.  We do it fine at the kitchen table.  I took the bookshelf from the playroom, which I hated to do, but it was the only thing we had that I thought would fit into our tiny eat-in kitchen.  We took a large china cabinet out of this space about a year ago and Hubbie and I really didn't want to crowd the kitchen back up.  This does add something else into the room, but its something I can live with.... and looking at it makes me happy that I am organized.  

I love being organized. I think its in my genes and a part of my personality, but frankly, with three kiddos and homeschooling, I just have felt like it was something that I was incapable of creating anymore.  I spent $12 on the baskets, from the Dollar Store (Dollar General, I think) and everything else, I already had.  I have our "next year" school books (a few that I've gathered) in another drawer, so when we're done with these, I'll get rid of, pack up or throw away and then add the new books.  

Do you see that Christmas wreath STILL ON THE FRONT DOOR!?! Ooops!

The playroom, about 4 hours ago, looked like a tornado went off.  And I'm not joking.  Puzzle pieces.  Shoes and socks.  Things from the bathroom.  I mean, these kiddos, grab something, run around and then DROP IT wherever they are.  This playroom was SO BAD that the kids didn't even want to go in.  I decided, since I was almost kid-free today, that I would tackle it.  We're having a yard sale soon and I thought it would give me a chance to see what was left in there that they don't ever touch.  I was able to eliminate a few more toys.....now my bedroom and laundry room look AWFUL.... I cannot WAIT for a yard sale to get rid of all this stuff.  

But anyway, I took the bookshelf from this room, but I still had tons of things that needed a home.....  Mom graciously offered to let me borrow a small bookshelf of hers, that was in the attic.  I'd love a wall system that would eliminate a lot of things on the floor, our plastic shelf and then the small book shelf, but its not in the budget, so I think what we have works.  

We recently added the pack and play into the playroom, for Bugs, when we're doing school.  I've hated to get it out, since its SO big and takes up so much space, but its easier to find a spot and leave it up.  (Can you see my Peanut watching his favorite show?!  So cute!)

 The rug we have to "protect" our already stained carpet, is outside awaiting the Hubbie......  it needs shaking out BADLY!  Too many cracker crumbs!  

And last picture.......

As of last night at dinner time, this room looked like a clothing store had exploded...... clothing EVERYWHERE!  I cannot remember the last time the living room was free of stuff- clothing, toys, whatever.... over a week....probably more..... I tell you, people, I am NOT a laundry gal.  But, with the help of grandparents these last two days, I've gotten it folded.  With help of my 4 men, Bugs didn't help, I got it all put away!  YAY!  And guess what?!  I actually did 3 loads of wash today since I was so "bored".  I haven't folded it, but its washed!  Yay!  There is hope!  

In addition to these rooms being picked up, cleaned or organized.  I also tackled our junk/silverware drawer. Its so neat and decluttered!  My laundry closet is organized.... everything is folded!  

Now, if you come to my house RIGHT NOW, it'll look decent!  I can't promise anything tomorrow....  oh and don't go into our room or the laundry room.  Its.....hmmmm...... disgusting?!  Ummm... yeah....thats a good word.... stuff and piles EVERYWHERE....... can't even walk around in our room..... we get dressed and we sleep in there.... oh and I try to sew....but that is IT!  I think I need a week without kids to tackle those two rooms and Buggy's closet (a.k.a. the closet that houses the boys out of season or too big/small clothing)......but once we have the yard sale, it'll make things a LITTLE easier to weed through.......  

Project 365- Day 3

A local gal is doing the Project 365, which is taking a picture every day, for the whole year.  I have seen other bloggers do this and always enjoyed the pictures, but wasn't sure if I was up for the challenge!  Not sure if I am or not, but hey!  I'll give it a try....

Day 3- January 3rd

Ignore the dirty mirror, the unmade bed and messy room.  I knew if I didn't take the picture before we hurried out the door, it wouldn't get taken....

I wanted to take a picture of my new scarf!  I  bought it at an antique market last week and love the colors.  Its so soft and silky.  I was afraid it was too "bulky" but I think it works great!  

I don't often buy "pretty things" for myself.  When I do make purchases, its for a purpose.... a wedding, to the beach, needing clothing for a season, so I pick up tops and bottoms that I hope will mix and match!  ;o)  

But on this day, I did something completely selfish and bought just because I liked it and I thought it was pretty.  I spent money on myself- and it was fun money- not needed.  It makes me feel pretty and having little things that make me smile is nice...... and desperately needed.

Prayer In My Life

My prayer for the last 2 months has been for the Lord to be faithful to our family and to provide abundantly for our needs.  I know this might be a vague post, but its on my heart and I felt like I should praise Jesus in the midst of my faltering faith.  I believe that the Lord can provide, but knowing me, mover and a shaker, I want things to be taken care of NOW!  I don't want to wait or not know how the car's timing belt will be paid for.  I don't want to schedule dental appts.... I'm thinking I need my wisdom teeth out like YESTERDAY..... and not have the cash, IN MY HANDS!!!  But, whenever I start to worry about expenses and time commitments and things that are truthfully OUT OF MY CONTROL, then I pray.  I don't think I've prayed ever prayed as much as I have until recently... and I do believe in the power of prayer.... but here lately, I feel like since I can't do anything else, I just gotta pray.

About a month ago, we realize that Bubbie's bike was WAY too small for him!  I don't know when it happened, but out of the blue, he was just TOO big for his first bike....  I felt bad that I couldn't just walk out and buy him one.  I kinda looked around and priced them and looked for them at Goodwill/ yard sales.  I mean, I could have budgeted the money for it, but with birthdays and Christmas, and him not WANTING a bike for Christmas (I mean, he did, but he wanted other things more than that....) I just knew we couldn't swing it right now.  I continued to pray for His perfect, faithful provisions....... a few weeks later, Hubbie helped a friend and they asked if we needed their son's "old" bike!

A statement was made at BSF recently that made me think....  what disturbs your mind?  whatever it is continue praise God for what He will do in the future.  whatever you are doubtful of God's power in your life, praise Him for that....  we praise God for the things to come... we praise Him for who He is...... we praise Him for offering salvation and eternal life.....  so I will continue to pray and hopefully, I'll pray MORE than ever, that the Lord, who I have been shown by, time and time again, that He IS abundantly faithful, will reveal Himself to us again in the areas we so desperately need His hand!

A Poem

Tied Down, by Edgar A. Guest

"They tie you down," a woman said,
Whose cheeks should have been flaming red
With shame to speak of children so.

"When babies come you cannot go
In search of pleasure with your friends,
And all your happy wandering ends.
The things you like you cannot do,
For babies make a slave of you."


I looked at her and said: "'Tis true
That children make a slave of you,
And tie you down with many a knot,
But have you never thought to what
It is of happiness and pride
That little babies have you tied?


Do you not miss the greater joys
That come with little girls and boys?
"They tie you down to laughter rare,
To hours of smiles and hours of care,
To nights of watching and to fears;
Sometimes they tie you down to tears
And then repay you with a smile,
And make your trouble all worth while.


They tie you fast to chubby feet,
And cheeks of pink and kisses sweet.
"They fasten you with cords of love
To God divine, who reigns above.
They tie you, whereso'er you roam,
Unto the little place called home;
And over sea or railroad track
They tug at you to bring you back.
The happiest people in the town
Are those the babies have tied down.


"Oh, go your selfish way and free,
But hampered I would rather be,
Yes rather than a kingly crown
I would be, what you term, tied down;
Tied down to dancing eyes and charms,
Held fast by chubby, dimpled arms,
The fettered slave of girl and boy,
And win from them earth's finest joy."

Trying...

Well, its time to purge some bad stuff like....

On a roll.... 2 days without a coke!  The biggest challenge will be not drinking a coke tomorrow when we get Chick-fil-A.....  its SO good!!!  Trying to gulp water!  I use to drink water like it was going out of style and now I just get too busy and forget..... and Cokes are my daily cup of coffee.

3 or 4 days without a dessert!  Woo hoo!  I purposefully didn't purchase any sweets at the grocery store and don't plan on making anything until Christmas baking time.  We've had sweets constantly for what seems like a month... and I love baking.....and I'm bound and determined to lower the amount of sugar going into our body.... The more sugar, the weaker the immune system and I'm wanting to get as many good things into our bodies as possible!!!  ((FYI- we do Sambucus and green smoothies as often as we remember (we try for daily!) Lots of fruits, organic, real yogurt and veggies during the day too! ))

And, I was trying to do the Couch to 5K, but I've never been consistent.  I've started and stopped about 5x... no exaggeration.... so I finally decided to stop trying and just focus on getting out and walking every day.  I failed today.  It was so dark by the time Hubbie got home and I wake up early to get my quiet time and computer time in, but I'm determined to get out at least 5 days a week for a 30 min brisk walk.  At least I'm doing something!!  

Wish me luck!  :o)  

Menu Plan Monday - November 1 thru 7th, 2010

Monday evening- King Ranch chicken w/ chips 


Tuesday evening- Leftover chicken dish 


Wednesday evening- Chili and cornbread


Thursday evening- Out/ field trip 


Friday evening- Homemade Pizza, bread sticks and fruit 


Saturday evening- Leftover chili and cornbread


Sunday evening- Birthday party

-----------------------------------------------------------

We've got a busy and fun week ahead.  Praying the Lord's blessings over our health and our busy schedule.  Just praying we can get it all done and this Mama isn't stressed out of her gourd!  




I went back to monthly menu planning this month.  I thought maybe it would help with the out of control food budget.  We had to add money to the budget last month because of adding in more natural, organic food items.  Our veggie and fruits alone are costing us a bundle each week and we aren't able to afford it all organic!  Ouchy!  But we'll make do and do as much as we can....  


Anyway, I decided to divide our food budget in half this month.  Hubbie gets paid once a month and thought maybe we could divide it in half.  1st thru the 15th, we get X amount of money and from the 15th thru the end of the month, we get the remainder...X amount.  Hopefully it'll help me budget better.  Our food category is the hardest to control and keep a tight grasp on!  I really need to do a better job about getting the cost lowered, but with having so many items like fresh chicken, produce, eggs, milk, flour....those things don't have coupons or if they do, not that often!  I just need to remember to pray over our budget monthly and for wisdom as I spend money.  When I do, God really takes over and helps me to make better choices, but the hardest part is remembering.....  


I was convicted about that last week in my Bible Study Fellowship lesson.  One of the question was "Who do you go to for guidance or when something happens?"  I think, how often I go to people, but also to "self help" type books.  What a convicting question!  I know when we were having so many issues with Peanut a few months ago, I didn't like the child- he wouldn't listen, he wouldn't obey....he was the most unpleasant child to be around.......  and I turned to a lot of books, the internet, my mom, Hubbie....anyone, any book.......  I just wanted advice and wisdom!  I should have turned quicker to the Lord for wisdom and to the Bible for the answers...which is the best parenting book out there!  Silly Lu!  :o)  


Hope everyone has a wonderful week!  Happy Eating!  

Needs Help!!

This is SOOOO not me, but I need help!  I bought two pieces of clearance items at Old Navy and I have no clue how to "winter-ize" them.  Not that I need to worry about winter temperatures right now, BUT I did purchase them for the Fall and bought a pair of cowboy boots to go with them.  Not sure I can pull off the look, but here it goes........

Look no. 1....

Boots by Alberto Fermani
Scarves & Wraps by Old Navy

OK, so.....what color tights would you wear?  For some reason, I'm not loving the bare legs with this ensemble.  I've seen pictures of people pulling this sort of look off, so I guess I'm trying to re-create it....  poorly, I'm sure, but nevertheless, trying.....  so HELP!

Look no. 2......

Longsleeve Tops by DKNY
Boots by Frye

This skirt is really cute and was super cheap on OldNavy.com, but its a tad bit short.... like when I bend over, just a little too short for my comfort... not that I plan to go bend WAY over in front of someone or get in an compromising position, BUT with 3 little boys, I want to be modest AND be able to move around without constantly making sure I'm not shining my hiney.... but it comes down to top of my knee/mid knee when I'm standing straight up, so no one worry!  Its just short for me!   Anyway, I need to know what color tights you'd put with this.  I am clueless and don't plan on wearing the skirt until I have some tights and I really want to wear the skirt!!

Cleaning Freak!!

You know, I was thinking the other day, I use to be a clean freak...  When I was pregnant with Bubbie, I remember thinking that I wouldn't be able to stress as much about my house and I needed to let some things go.  I distinctly remember forcing myself to not stress about the kitchen floor needing to be swept.  I use to sweep my kitchen several times a day- just cause there might be dirt....not because of food from the kiddos.  

Nowadays, the house gets dusted once or twice a month.  The bathrooms...well....those are almost daily frowned upon and then I walk out and shut the door!  2 little boys pee pee'ing in the potty...that room is NEVER clean!  The floor gets vacuumed when I start feeling pieces of food under my feet.  Actually, the only place that gets scrubbed on a daily basis is the kitchen... and that gets cleaned at least 3 times a day.... floors, counter tops, table, the whole sha-bang!  

The laundry is often neglected and in piles around the house- no matter how early I wake up or how late I go to bed- things are left undone almost everyday.  I dream of being able to curl up in my chair and read a book during quiet time and after the kiddos go to bed, pulling out my sewing and work on projects for a few hours.... unfortunately, I just don't have that kind of time anymore.  

This weekend we had a busy one planned and I desperately needed help getting caught up.  On Friday I cleaned out my van.  It was a mess and there were lots of things in there that just didn't need to be.  While the boys ran around the yard like wild monkeys, I threw away and took things into the house.  Thankfully, the weather was GORGEOUS, so it made the task a little bit more enjoyable!  

Next up was the PILES of laundry that had been overlooked for about a week.  Hubbie had started the laundry that morning and for some reason, when he does that, it helps me stay on task with the laundry.  On Saturday once ALL the laundry was cleaned and folded, I ran to the store while Hubbie put everything away.  Then we swapped, I took the kids to a party and he fixed his car (broke down the night before- thankfully it was an "easy" and "cheap" fix).  Once I got home, Hubbie had finished and it was time to cook for company and clean the house. 

Sunday, I worked on the winter clothing.  I tried to purge, but with the two youngest boys being so close in sizes, it was difficult to know exactly how much of a certain size, we needed, so I did manage to purge two bags of stuff and a box to give to a gal pal.  

Once that was all finished, I attacked our room.  When we have company, I am ashamed to say that most of the time, the overflow from the other rooms ends up in ours.  For the last week, our floor was very similar to that of what you might see on one of those reality shows, like Hoarders!  Hubbie said it wasn't that bad, but it really was...shoes needing to be put into the closet, baskets of laundry, little puzzles that the boys had brought in the room, dumped out and then left, leaving the pieces to be stepped on, sewing stuff.....  it was a madhouse and I couldn't go to bed another night looking at it.  So, I sadly put away my sewing and craft supplies, knowing that I wouldn't get to my hobby for a few days weeks and it was taking up valuable space in our room.  

So, all in all, our house looks ten times better than it did on Friday evening.  I owe a lot of that to my darling husband who knew I was stressed and overwhelmed with the amount of things that were on me for the weekend.  Now, if we can just keep the house this neat, we'll be doing GREAT!  

p.s. after working on laundry for 2 days, our laundry hamper is now FULL.....  go figure.....

Just In Case You Ever Wondered....

.....washing your hair with dial or liquid dish washing soap doesn't really work all that well.

Last week we ran out of shampoo.  Don't ask me how.  I stocked up on Pantene at CVS in the beginning of the summer and I guess we went through all those bottles, because when we ran out, we went to our stash and there wasn't anything there!

Believe me when I tell you, I searched every cabinet, drawer, travel bag.... I just knew I had to have a tiny bit of shampoo SOMEWHERE in the house!

So, what do most Momma's do when they run out of something?  Go to the store, right?  So, I did.  I went to Target ALL ALONE one evening and guess what happened?  I forgot shampoo.  BOO!

I improvised with Dial soap.  That didn't work. 

 I improvised with dish washing soap.  That didn't work well either.  

We made it 4 days without shampoo and my hair wasn't looking so hot!  Hubbie and I laugh about it now, but let me tell you, getting that bottle of shampoo was a BIG deal!  Several days without shampoo stinks!  My hair and husband thanked me!

Radio Talking

Today I had the opportunity to be a guest on Mom Talk Radio with Maria Bailey.  If that name sounds familiar its because Maria is the brains behind MomSelect (which I love doing reviews and product giveaways for)!

The topic for today's 7 minute talk was "When do you decide what is for dinner?" Jay from Caffeine and a Prayer and myself had the opportunity to talk with Maria and give other moms our ideas and what we do in our home.  The conversation went by SO quickly!  I didn't even  have a chance to get nervous or wonder what I was going to say.  I must admit though, I did have a cheat sheet in case I got lost in a thought!

My ideas for meal planning? Well, they've been exhausted on this blog and I'm sure others are TIRED of hearing about it, but its a fun concept for me to talk about it!  And everyone reading knows I'm a little uptight a.k.a. anal retentive so its something I proudly own!  For me, meal planning is a chore and does take time, but its always rewarding!  If I don't meal plan, the majority of the time, I'll call my husband and request him to pick up dinner or do the drive thru thing!  Not healthy or easy on the budget!  Which, again, if you've been reading this blog for ANY period of time, you also know that I'm CHEAP!  Like, I squeak when I walk, kinda cheap!

So, meal planning is a must in our household.  I print off a calendar.  I read blogs, look through my recipes cards, cook books, revisit old standbys... whatever it takes!  You can even use Emealz which is really not that expensive when you think about the period of time you get the meals and shopping list planned for you and not to mention, the time you're saving from having to do that on your own!!!  Why don't I do emealz anymore?  Its because I'm a snob!  I know I can plan 7 nights dinner cheaper than they can.... I just gotta do the work, so at this time, I'll continue to it myself.

Jay mentioned something in the conversation that I also do.  Have staples on hand.  Things that you know your family eats a lot of- rice, potatoes, frozen veggies, pasta... whatever you know that your family will eat....  I often stock up on noodles when they are on sale at Publix- gotta love Buy One Get One Free deals! and I usually have a coupon to pair with them.  Last week I hit Publix for some deals and had a coupon for .55 cents off 2 boxes of noodles.  Normally I would think twice about this coupon, but Publix had these particular noodles B1G1 free, so we grabbed a few boxes for less than a dollar.  But by having staples on hand, even when you have no idea what is for dinner, you can also visit your cabinets and piece together a meal.  Nine times out of ten, I always have SOME type of meat in the house.  Pair the meat/chicken/fish with some pasta and some type of sauce and you've got a meal!

If you don't meal plan, which I don't know very women who don't do even a tiny bit of it, start off small and just do a week at a time.  Or just a few nights!  If you're like my family, we ALWAYS have leftovers and I actually plan those leftovers into our weekly menu.  I count on leftovers!  I've been warned though..... leftovers probably won't last for forever with 3 boys in the house, but I'll gladly serve them while I have them!

A huge thank you to Maria and all the folks at MomTalk Radio for having me on the show to talk about a love of mine!