30 is coming...

My 30th birthday is vastly approaching.  Two months almost to the day and I'll have left my 20's!  I'm not sure why but this scares the pants off me!  I'm not going to lie it is terrifying, I wonder can I still call my mom crying when something goes wrong?  I'm I too old now for certain things? 

Life isn't what I dreamt of all those years ago.  My husband doesn't look like a half naked cowboy with muscles for days like imagined, although he did buy his first cowboy hat the other day!  I don't live out in the country with my seven kids either.  Before the thought crosses your mind, no I didn't have a litter.  God did bless me with two wonderful boys that are just as wild as seven little ones!

I've decided for me it is time to be a little selfish.  I have to put forth the effort on some things that I have hidden in the depths of my soul that need to be laid to rest once and for all. 

I can't go into my 30's with the bondage of my past haunting me at every turn.  I have to live with it everyday and I have to learn that my past doesn't define me. 

My husband put it best, God forgives me now I just have to forgive myself!

I've set some pretty clear goals for myself for the next couple of months!
~ Finish a much needed bible study
~ Finish the Insanity workout
~ Finish organizing some things around the house
~ Get more time in with my kiddos
~ Be a size 6 by my 30th birthday
~ Learn not to dwell on the past, I have to move on as hard as it may be!

The most important thing is, I want to turn 30 knowing I accomplished my biggest goal of all!  I want to be proud of who I am and what HE has made me!  I will turn 30 and feel the love of Christ before all others, and that has to be the most profound thing in my life to date.

My Approach to Homemaking

One can scour the Internet for days visiting blogs on homemaking!  I think in an essence we are all in search of the same thing, 'how does she do it?'  I'm guilty as charged, I love to see how others make the day go by, probably because I have this intense need to figure out a better way and maybe a little curiosity as to what someone elses world is like.  (Does that contradict itself?, oh well you get what I mean!)  I've taken the time to hone my homemaking skills, theoretically, but lacked in driving it into home every time!  I simply fall short, I try this for a while and then that, but nothing seems to stick!  Maybe it is a lack of desire or my impatient brain wanting everything done right away.  Then when things don't get done, I'm blowing my top and give up!  Maybe I just need more caffeine...hmmm, food for thought. 

Any who, my approach to homemaking is simple, TREAT IT LIKE A J-O-B!!  You know one of those things that sends out a paycheck from time to time.  Most of our husbands have one, so why shouldn't we?  My house is my job, my kids are my blessings!  You can't get that confused, once you think of your kids as a job all sorts of things could go wrong. 

Like any job one has a job title and responsibilities, right...
So what would a housewives job title be that isn't just plain housewife...you don't always want to get one those comments all the time.  You know the, 'OH you stay HOME all Day!' comments.  I like to think of myself as a Domestic Engineer!  Has a nice ring to it huh? 

Lets see job title, check!  Now on to job responsibilities (insert chuckle here)!  The amount of personal jobs we have is enormous and probably surpasses the hours we have to get them all done in a day.  WRONG!  Lets be honest none of us are perfect!  We can't get it all done because we set our own expectations too high!  We seek to be like the Proverbs 31 woman, but HELLO she is just an example.  God knows we can't get this all done, literally.  So lets make things a little more simple, then add in the extras when we get the time.

Simple Jobs of the Domestic Engineer:
1. Don't burn down the house, key factor can't be a housewife if you burn down the house!
2. Provide food for household members, no extras just the person you are married to and the kids!
3. Wash underwear and towels daily, bad things happen when your husband runs out of clean undies and doesn't have a towel to dry off with :-)

See simple...everything else you get done in the day is a bonus!  I know what your thinking, 'OH LAWD her house is a mess!'  Well today it is but usually it is not!  I somehow manage to find the time to get a few other things done. 

My point is don't focus on what you can't get done, focus on what you can!! We are our own worse enemies and the only person who is going to get upset the most if nothing gets done is us! 

Now go be great domestic engineers!

Confessions of a Sinner

I'm not perfect, but then again what Christian is?
I have sinned just like everyone else on this Earth!  I am thankful that Jesus died on the cross for my sins!  I am blessed by Him and the Father, able to be forgiven for my sins!!  For the select few that might read this...these are a few things that I have to remind myself it is OKAY to mess up sometimes, as long as I come to Him in the most humble way possible and confess my sins!

I struggle with Christianity more than Vanity...sometimes my appearance to others is more important than my appearance to HIM!

My children don't have the mother they deserve...my anger catapults me to place no woman should be and the verbal garbage that spews from my mouth can be horrific.

My husband is left picking up the pieces all to often...he is my strength, he is hard to love, and he is my weakness all in one. 

My home does not reflect the image I want people to perceive...in other words it is more of a mess than a hand reaching out and welcoming people.

My feet are dirty...I have stepped on others to achieve what I thought I deserved and not what HE thought I deserved.

I have a jealous heart...I constantly compare myself to others, and think 'why not me?'

I hold myself less accountable than I do others...I am the 'teapot calling the kettle black' as they say in the south.

My arms are very short at times...I don't reach out to help others as much as I should.

My cardboard confession would do something like this...
"I am stubborn, strong-willed, and bitter"
"by the Grace of God I am FORGIVEN!"

God has called me aside to focus on myself, and how I need to be disciplined to be a better person.  No I don't feel like I'm in time out, I feel like I have been called to enjoy life more and He is sharing his wisdom with me to become more!

Insanity workout day 2...plus free flowers!!

Insanity day 2 ate my lunch, lol!  I have to say that Plyometric Cardio is the hardest day for me.  I only got about 25 to 30 minutes of the workout done last night.  Tonight I have Cardio Power and Resistance and if my memory serves me right it would be that bad.  I'm only on day 3 but already I noticed my double chin is slimming!!  The scale however IS NOT my friend!!!  I'll keep working out and I'm sure I'll see the numbers NOT go down!  I build muscle like crazy but gain weight too, it stinks because it makes me feel like I'm not losing any weight.  Oh well, I'll know the difference in two weeks when it is time to measure myself and weigh in again.  Until then I'm going to try my hardest not to fret and I'll share my results then!

On to better news!!  Last night my brother and his family made a surprise visit!  How awesome is that since I only see him once in a blue moon considering he lives three hours away.  He dissappeared on us and I found him two houses down talking with my neighbor.  He was complimenting her on her garden and she decided that she was going to split off her canna lillies and give both of us some!  WOOHOO!!!!!  Trust me this is a good thing.  I recently found the urge to garden and bring new life to the outdoor spaces of my home.  I feel like I need to go through the trials and tribulations of gardening to get me through some tuff personal stuff from my past.  Anyways, I'm one step closer!  I have accumulated cannas, aloe, and amarylsis.  

You will have to forgive me if any of my spelling is frightful!  For some reason or another I can't get spell check to work on blogger!  Hmm...I'll work on it for a bit. 

Until Tomorrow,
Lisa

Insanity Day 1...and a NEW DINING TABLE!!!!

I finally started Insanity...AGIAN!  I'm really happy with my fit test results but not so much my measurements!  I'm going to keep going though and try and get a more balanced diet in the mix.  I saw results so fast the first time that I'm hoping I see results again, SOON!  On days like this when I feel strong and fearless I get a lot done!  So far it is not even 10 a.m. and I've already cooked breakfast for my boys, made egg salad for my hubby's lunches, got my roast cooking the crock-pot, and got a load of clothes in the washer!  Not bad for waking up around 7 a.m., I still have a list a mile long, but one thing at a time.

Things are a little messy around here so I'm going to swing on over to one of my fav. sites to visit Mrs. Candy and get her messy house rescue!  I don't let my house get that bad but when I fall behind this is the perfect thing to use!  She basically outlines your to-do list for you so we don't have to waste even more time trying to get things done. 

I also got a new-used dining room table yesterday!!!!!  Yes this excites me this much!!!!!  My old one was falling apart, literally the chairs were on their last leg, no seriously!  I have shopped around for months and begged and pleaded with my husband to give the go ahead on a new one!  So when he sold his old truck the other day I was given a green light!  The stars aligned and prayers were joyfully answered as I got the EXACT table I have always wanted!!  It is in perfect condition and I got it for a steal at $350!  When the previous owners had originally bought it they paid $1200!  I will be cooking for all eternity to show my husband how much I appreciate him buying this for me!!  Yes, I'm still that excited by it!  I have spent some real time lately fixing up the house, hanging pictures, and even a new towel ring in the bathroom!  It just goes to show how when you put your whole heart into something God makes sure that you always see how appreciated you really are!  

Blessings,
Lisa

I'm still getting the hang of this...

I've had a lot going on lately and I'm still trying to get the hang of blogging regularly.  I'm here I haven't left anyone.  In fact tomorrow I start my Insanity workout for the second time!  I'm going to be blogging about that for awhile!  I have to put forth the effort and for some reason sharing gives me more endurance to keep going.  I'll try and post progress picks, what I'm eating, and of course keeping with my housewife roots...how I manage to fit this all into my day!  Tomorrow is just the fit test and I will do it as soon as I put my kiddos to bed. 

Weekly Planning ~ An Overview

I've said it before and I'll say it again!  With my analytical brain I have to plan out everything!  So much so that it drives my husband insane, the one thing he hates to hear out of my mouth is "Okay, what's your game plan?"  Sure I could fly by the seat of my pants, be spontaneous, and go with the flow as they say.  However, when I try to do this I usually end up in a heap of a mess pulling my hair out!  I've been this way my whole life, I inherited it from my parents.  So when I decided to be a stay at home mom, things were no different.  I treat this household like it is my full time job, I get a lunch break and a few snack times throughout the day.  I schedule out my chores for the day, the meals we will eat, and the activities we will do.  Do I get it all done in a day, no life always throws in its little surprises that take me away from the things I want and or should be doing.  I am no one to give advice, the only thing I can do is lead by example.  Some people are planners, some people aren't.  Yet, if you aren't a planner and you aren't getting anything done, maybe you should try planning.  Or if you are a planner and your wound so tight you have no time for fun, maybe it is time to let your hair down so to speak.  I ask that everyone take a little time for reflection and see if your life could use a little more planning.

My plan for the week:
Hubby is on overtime nights all week ~ need to have extra nomex.
Both boys have a Dr. appt. Tuesday afternoon ~ have dinner fixed for hubby early
Last day of school is Thursday ~ Oldest son has school in the morning bus arrives at 7:30!!

Not much should take me away from my normal routines.  I'm hoping that we are able to start the summer off with a little fun in the sun before the boys get tubes in their ears!  Maybe we can plan a trip to the beach in the weeks to come!  Remember always plan for fun!

Meal Plan For May 21 - May 30

I make my menus out to coincide with my husband's paychecks.  Usually it is two weeks at a time, but in order to have a menu post for next week I'm only giving you week one!  By doing it every two weeks I get all my grocery shopping done at once and don't have to go back to the store except to pick up fresh vegetables.  The dinners on my list for this week are:

Today - Leftover Pot Roast

Thursday - Chicken Enchiladas w/ Pico and Guacamole

Friday - Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy and Baked Beans

Saturday - Blackened Chicken w/ Zucchini Fritters and Potato Salad

Sunday - Garlic Chicken Orzo

Monday - Cajun Chicken Burgers w/ Sweet Coleslaw and Sweet Potato Fries

Tuesday - Santa Fe Grilled Chicken Salad

Wednesday - Deer Round Steaks, Rice, Brown Gravy, and Corn on the Cob

I also plan out my breakfast and lunch menu too.  I love to stay ultra organized in the kitchen because I know if I don't then we will result to take out and a lot of food goes in the garbage.  I do try and cook three meals a day.  My enemy in life is the drive-thru and if I don't stay on top of it we become really close friends.  I hope to share some of these recipes soon!  How do you plan out your meals?

What I'm Wearing

I'm still trying to find myself in a more modest world.  I haven't done it in a long time, but I think it is time to show you what I am wearing.  I know I am a visual learner and for me to learn how to dress more modest it is important that I see how others dress.  That is why I find it important to share with you how I am dressing, just in case someone else wants to see some examples. 

It isn't much, just a purple dress with a white undershirt.  My husband hates this dress so I only wear it at home or to run quick errands.  I am learning that for me it isn't important to keep my legs completely covered.  I think just above the knee is fine, and I don't think I will go all skirts anytime soon.  I will keep trying more and bringing more into my wardrobe.  Again that is for me and everyone has to be accustomed to their own feelings.  I'm sorry for the poor picture quality.  It is an antique mirror and hard to see.  I'll have to have my husband start taking my pictures outside.

HE does provide!!

I don't like sharing my financial situations with people.  However, this situation was so powerful to me that I had to share.  As I have posted my children have been sick and one medication for my youngest son had to be ordered and wouldn't be available until today.  The medicine cost $25.00 and I know to most this wouldn't be a problem and for me normally it wouldn't be a problem.  This last couple of months has hit us hard and used our savings with my surgery and my husband's truck breaking down.  I prayed that the money would be provided to us for two days.  I worried about it yesterday to the point of tears!  Well my husband called just a little while ago and said you aren't going to believe this but for some reason $44.11 has been deposited into our savings account.  I seriously almost cried!!  So of course I darted off to the pharmacy before some kind of bank error came into play to buy the medicine for my baby!!  Just another reminder that God does provide and as long as you believe and trust in the Lord, HE will take care of HIS children!

Patience is a Virtue

With my little boys being sick I have had to remind myself that patience is a virtue.  My two year old spent the day yesterday, most of the night, and morning screaming!  I'm not sure why I've done everything I can to comfort him but for some reason he just wants to scream.  I've been trying very hard to not lose control and show my quick temper, and I think I'm doing a good job.  As you can imagine my Monday chores did not get done.  So today I have to tackle the bedrooms and the bathrooms!  I also have to get the grocery list made out for tomorrow, which means I have to get the menu for the next two weeks done today too (I will share this later).  Procrastination has been my theme this week. 

On the table tonight: Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Bell Pepper, and Rice all done in the slow cooker! 

Today I just wanted to share some scriptures that help me remember that patience is just as important steadfastness.

A man's wisdom gives him patience;

  It is to his glory to overlook an

    offense.

            Proverbs 19:11

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,

peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22

Therefore, as God's chosen people,

holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves

with compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Manic Monday



Our family portrait taken at the lake. 
This is my parents backyard!

Well my manic Monday is living up to its name!  My family and I went to the lake this past weekend to visit my parents.  We played hard and my oldest son caught his first fish!  We were very tired and my kids ended up getting sick.  So first thing this morning we were at the doctor's office, both have double ear infections AGAIN!  They also added they both needed tubes in their ears!  My oldest son has already had this done and the poor little guy has to have them again. 

I've been making some changes on my home management notebook.  I recently noticed that my cleaning schedule was not very efficient.  I have changed it so I can focus on one certain area of the house on a particular day.  I'm still working out the kinks but it looks like my new schedule will be like this:

Monday ~ Bedrooms
Tuesday~ Bathrooms
Wednesday ~ Living Room & Grocery Shopping
Thursday ~ Kitchen
Friday ~ Floors
Saturday ~ Dining Room, Den & Weekly Planning
Sunday ~ Odds 'n Ends

I'm still keeping my daily chores the same.  I just need to concentrate more of my time on certain things so I'm not running all over the house trying to get things done.  I will print out the new schedule and update my binder.  Then I will post pics of my new and improved home management notebook!

Frugal Fridays ~ Campfire Donuts

As a stay at home mom I have to find some crafty ways to make the dollars stretch.  It is important to me to make my husband feel like he doesn't just work to pay bills or feed two growing boys.  Today I would like to share with you something that is a near to my heart.  This is something my mom used to make all the time growing up and it really is cheaper than the alternative.  Campfire donuts have been around for a long time and are easy to make.  The cost difference between regular donuts from the store and made at home is astronomical.  I spent a whopping 39 cents for mine!  Compared to the 5 dollars or so at the store. 

Campfire Donuts
~ 1 Can refrigerated biscuits tube
~ 1 cup vegetable oil
~ 1 cup powdered sugar
~ 1 cap from a water bottle or something like it

Heat oil in a small saucepan on medium heat.  Meanwhile cut a hole in the center of each "donut" with the cap.  Line a plate with paper towels and set your powdered sugar next to it.  Cook each donut (holes too!) until light golden brown on each side, when done lay on paper towels and sprinkle with powdered sugar.  It is that simple! 

I haven't met a kid that didn't like them, and for less than $3.00 for all the ingredients you are still coming out way cheaper than the alternative! 

A Little Update

Finally!! I am back in the game after my surgery!  I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back on here, but I took the full six weeks off to prioritize some things and get better.  After having my surgery I have found my life completely different; I see everything as a gift and nothing as a task.  I'm going to be making some changes in my life, and in my blog!  I hope to be here more frequently and blog everyday, even if it is mindless things.  I asked myself what is it I wanted my readers to see when they look at my page.  My only answer is that I want you to see ME and how I make it through the day with all the tools that HE has provided.  I hope that you all can learn a few tricks of the trade from me, and teach me a few things along the way.  I'm on a new journey I guess, my mind is clear my heart is grounded and faith is stronger than ever.  The answer of prayer can be more than anyone could every imagine!! 

I always try to have a daily verse that sticks out in my mind for the day.  Today was a little more than a verse but it fits in perfectly on how I feel lately.

        Be very careful, then, how you live - not
        as unwise but as wise, making the most of 
        every opportunity, because the days are evil. 
       Therefore do not be foolish but understand
       what the lord's will is.
                  Ephesians 5:15-17

The Weeks to Come

Over the next few weeks many changes are coming for me personally, and for my home.  I am having a hysterectomy next Wednesday, don't worry I'm excited about this.  Do I want more kids, yes, but I also want a life that is manageable and right now with the way things are it isn't manageable.  So I am going to rid myself of something that has been a problem for me since I was nine years old!  Other things are changing too!  I've given myself a deadline, and hopefully I can stick to it.  My house is a mess, no matter how hard I try sometimes I just can't find the time to get it all done in a day.  Pile on a few days of not getting it all done and you can imagine how bad things get.  My deadline is April 3rd, it is the day my mom comes to stay with me for my surgery.  She is truly my role model, she worked full time, took care of us kids, and then our house was always clean on top of that.  I stay at home all day and it looks like squatters live here.  I'm sure it isn't that bad, but to me it feels that way, and I know it feels that way to my husband.  Not only have I gotten lazy with my house I'm lazy with myself too.  I read somewheres that once you give up on yourself your husband starts to give up on you too.  This just can't happen, I won't let it!  Lately I have been doing the Insanity workouts and I thought I was improving, but I just looked at my Facebook page and my aunt posted a picture of me.  I don't mind it but good grief I looked TERRIBLE!!  So I think once I get a little more in tune with myself my house and my family will all reflect that.  Happy wife happy life, right?

Modesty

Please excuse my son's messy room!

Over the last two years I have done more than my fair share of scouring the Internet in researching modesty.  I have been trying to find out how I needed to change my wardrobe to be more modest and womanly.  If you are wondering if I am skirts only, the answer is no.  However I can't promise you that I will always be that way.  When I wear skirts now, I feel more complete and comfortable in who I am.  I don't feel like I am as critical with my appearance the way I am when I'm wearing tight jeans and a low cut shirt.  I have made a promise to myself to try and wear more dresses (budget permitting) and slowly make the change to be more covered.  I have prayed about this and asked God to lead me in the way that I should go, and I believe that for me to wear more modest clothing is what I should do.  I had to also look at my home life and decide how this would benefit there as well.  It slapped me in the face like a ton of bricks!!  I have two little boys and they look up to their momma, they admire their momma, and I didn't want to set the wrong example of how a woman should look and or be treated because of the way she looks.  It is my job to help guide them so one day they will find a suitable helpmate for their homes, and I couldn't live with myself if they only believed a woman's body was the most important thing.  So from now on I am hoping to set the bar in my house.  In doing so I also decided to share with others how I dress, to give others examples of how my style is evolving.  Every Tuesday I will be posting what I am wearing for that day, I hope you enjoy!

A Little Update

I have been absent this last week and I am sorry.  The weather has been nice, and we have had so much going on at our house that I haven't had the time for the computer.  I hope to have some new things posted tomorrow.  Blessings to all, and I hope everyone is well.

Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring

Ingredients
~1 tube Pillsbury Grands Biscuits
~3 Tbsp. butter, melted
~1/2 cup maple syrup
~1/3 packed brown sugar
~3/4 tsp. cinnamon
~1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions
1. Spray a bundt pan with non-stick spray
2. In a bowl, combine the melted butter and syrup.
3. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts.
4. Place half the syrup mixture in the bottom of the bundt pan and sprinkle with half the sugar mixture.
5. Lay the biscuits evenly spaced and overlapping in the bottom of the pan to form a ring.
6. Pour the remaining syrup over the biscuits and sprinkle with the remaining sugar.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool for a minute then invert onto a serving plate.

Terrific Tuesday

I have had my struggles lately keeping on task, I am working on finding a solution to help me stay motivated and busy during the day.  That being said I have a list of things to be done today, hopefully I can get them all done!  I have to finish my meal plans for the next two weeks tonight.  I'm looking for some more healthy and nutritious meal plans for my family so we can be a little more health conscious.  On the rest of my list for the day is:
~Laundry
~Dishes
~Wipe down appliances
~Clean top of fridge
~Clean microwave
~Sweep living room floor
~Wipe down couches
~Sweep laundry room floor
~Dinner - pork tenderloin, creamed potatoes, green beans, brown gravy

Daily Scripture:
    She selects wool and flax
         and works with eager hands.
                     Proverbs 31:13

Wow!  Looks like today's verse might help send me towards the solution I was looking for!

My Busy Weekend

My husband was off this past weekend, in fact he had almost 4 days off since he was sick.  This is the first time in a long long time we have all had that many days together, and it was truly missed.  When he started feeling better we got to work on the bathroom we have been renovating over the past month (pics to come soon).  We painted the walls and the linen closet and installed the vanity light.  Between handling the boys and working on that project I didn't get a lot done around the house, including cooking.  We ate out way to much over the last couple of days so I have to make up for it over the next few days.  I did manage to get my floors mopped and stay up with the laundry. 

We also had a really nice day here yesterday so we all got to play outside for a couple of hours.  My DH mowed the grass and I pulled weeds while the boys played.  I think it was a productive weekend just not when it comes to staying on schedule and getting all the housework done. 

It is yet another Monday and we still have lots to do, like every Monday I guess.  Tonight is spaghetti night so the cooking part will be fairly easy and will give me some extra time to play with the boys and get some more projects done around the house.  Like that recipe binder I've decided to add a little flare to!

I've been a little late on my scripture memorizing so I'm picking up where I left off on Friday.
     She brings him good, not harm,
         all the days of her life.
                    Proverbs 31:12

Activity Box

A few weeks ago I found myself looking for a better way for the boys to help pick what kind of activities we would do when we had some free time.  So I came up with the idea of turning an old wipe box into a storage container for little cards with different activities printed on them.  I printed little cards from this website for free!  They have all kinds of little cards from chores to daily routines and back again.  For my project though I printed all the ones that the little boys love to do, like paint or play on the trampoline.  After I printed them out I pasted them on to some scrapbooking paper to give them a little flare on the back.  I then to take it a step further

and laminated the squares to protect them from little hands.  I love the variety it gives us with our free time, but still keeps us structured plus the boys think of it like a game. 

Sick Kids + Sick Husband = LAZY DAY

A couple of days ago I noticed my kids were coming down with something, so like any other paranoid mother I carted them off to the pediatricians office to have their symptoms checked.  My concerns were confirmed by what the doctor calls a virus, I honestly think this is just a word they use when they know they are sick with something and don't know what.  My oldest son, who has had breathing problems in the past was promptly put on steroids and breathing treatments to help curve his cough before he gets pneumonia AGAIN!  Then my baby was told to rest and let it run its course.  So off we went to get home and wait for daddy to get up who was working the night shift.  I thought he would be able to help with the kids but when he woke up it was confirmed that he was sick too!  Great now I have 3 sick boys and only 2 hands.  Do you get where I am going with this?  That is right, I can't get anything done!  So now it is Friday and I am still trying to find the time to get yesterday's chores done.  I did get most of my cooking list done, everything except the waffles and pizza dough so the housecleaning shouldn't be to much.  It really is a big help now that the DH is home to help out too.  Then again, I might just take the day to rest, who knows what the time will bring.  Sometimes it is nice just to be lazy!

Today's Scripture:
    Her husband has full confidence in
                  her
        and lacks nothing of value.
               Proverbs 31:11

Thursday Chores

If you take a peak at my HMB page you will see that every day I have a list of chores to complete.  Recently I have added to this and I am trying to remember a bible verse a day.  I am starting off easy and going with Proverbs 31:10 - 31 for my first section to memorize since I already know some by heart.

My To-Do List:
~ Clean trash cans
~ Sweep living room floor
~ Wipe down couches
~ Sweep laundry room floor
~ Clean toilets
~ Clean bathtub
~ Wipe mirrors in bathroom
~ Dust bathrooms
~ Laundry (daily)
~ Dishes (daily)
~ Wipe bathroom sink (daily)
~ Sweep kitchen and dining room (daily)
~ Put away toys (daily)

My Bible Verse:
A wife of noble character who can find? 
  She is worth far more than rubies.
         Proverbs 31:10

A Marathon of Cooking

I have lots and lots to do today!  I have a ton of things to cook and decided to share with you before I get started.  Well the first 2 things are done, but I still have lots more to do.  Yesterday I put a pork roast in the crock pot so I could make pulled pork sandwiches for dinner tonight.  I have a crock pot that I can take off the warmer and then it is a serving dish, so I stuck it in the fridge last night and this morning put it back on low so I can shred it later.  I also made pigs in a blanket for the boys breakfast with the LAST 2 waffles out of the freezer.  Next on my list is breakfast burritos, I make a batch of 20 and freeze them so my husband can eat and I don't have to get up at 4 a.m. to make him something.  I also need to make more waffles for the freezer.  They are in high demand in my house and go quickly.  I still have to put a chicken in the oven; I will shred it to make chicken enchiladas and chicken salad sandwiches later this week.  Tomorrow for dinner we are going to have roasted chicken so I might cook 2 chickens today and get the other one out of the way.  I also want to try and make some pizza dough, I have never done this, so I'm hoping I can get it done in time to make pizza for lunch.  Wish me luck, I might need it!

Weekly Meal Plan

Today is Wednesday, and on this day I plan out my meals for the week.  I do my grocery shopping every other Wednesday so I find it really important to keep a stocked pantry and a menu planned for each meal.  If you want to find a great FREE printable for menus organized home has all kinds!  So on this weeks menu we have:

Wednesday: rosemary roasted chicken, garlic Parmesan orzo, steamed veggies

Thursday: pulled pork sandwiches, sweet potato fries

Friday: spinach chicken enchilada, guacamole, and salad

Saturday: pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans

Sunday: Teriyaki chicken with rice and salad

Monday: spaghetti with Texas toast

Tuesday: garlic chicken orzo

I also will be cooking a bag of breakfast burritos for the freezer and waffles for the boys.  It is so easy to fix and freeze, then they can take them out on the mornings we are in a hurry or I don't want to cook breakfast.  If I get a chance I will also be making some pizza dough to freeze as well.  This makes pizza time way cheaper and my family loves homemade pizza!

A Day in the Life of Me

Before I decided to blog about my home life I was following a few different ones.  One was Mrs. Candy at joyfulchristianhomemaking, and she challenged others to record what a day looked like in their home.  Yesterday was my manic Monday.  I call it this because of all the laundry I know I'll have from changing all the bedding.  However this day was a little different.  First off, my son didn't have school and I decided to be a little more modest in my day.  I'm a jeans a T-shirt girl from my heart to my toes, but yesterday I adorned myself with a skirt and a knit top.  It was a learning experience, and maybe I'll try it again more often.  As long as I don't look "old" as my husband put it.  So here it goes a day in the life of me:
7:00 a.m. ~ The first critter, Logan, crawled out of his bed and into mine.  I love these kind of mornings.
7:30 ~ Critter two, Cason, joined in on the cartoons in Mommy's bed.(Side note DH left for work at 4)
8:00 ~ We all get up, I change the boys and they go play while I get dressed.

8:15 ~ Start breakfast, on the menu today is campfire donuts!
8:45 ~ We all eat Breakfast

9:00 ~ I jot down a few notes and the boys scurry off to play then I feed Marley, the puppy beast they call a golden retriever, then I start on breakfast dishes
9:30 ~ The boys ask to watch a movie that is coming on TV so I allow them so I can get started on cleaning the house.  On to laundry I go!
10:00 ~ By now I have one load in the washer, the dishwasher is going, I've changed Cason, vaccuumed, dusted, and tidied his room. 

10:15 ~ I start hanging up shirts from the dryer then move on to getting the rest of the kitchen clean.  My counter tops are a hub for junk!

11:00~ My kitchen is now clean and I pull out colors for the boys to color while I make lunch.  On the menu is tuna salad, cucumbers, and apple wedges.

11:30 ~ By now the boys have eaten and it is time for quiet time!  Cason takes his nap and Logan goes to his room to play and watch a movie (he is autistic and needs the time alone to unwind from his mornings) Then I start on my lunch and take a little break. 
12:15 ~ I change out another load of laundry, fold some clothes, and put clean sheets on my bed.  I also take the quiet time to fix my hair and put on some makeup for when my hubby gets home later.

1:00 ~ Change out yet another load of laundry (I usually don't have this much to do, I promise).
1:15 ~ Cason is up and changed, he had a diaper leak so now I have to change his sheets AGAIN! YAY more laundry, then I fold blankets and sheets.
1:30 ~ Take time to sit and jot a few notes
1:35 ~ Time to put away all the laundry and fix a snack for the boys, apples and granola bars.
2:00 ~ REST!!!
2:45 ~ I start cleaning Logan's room, vaccuum, dust, and tidy.  It needed lots of tidy today!

3:20 ~ Unload dishwasher, by now my DH has called and said he didn't want spaghetti for dinner (our usual Monday night cuisine) and opted for sushi instead, that ofcourse was fine with me!
3:25 ~ Laundry, the story of my life today!
3:40 ~ Play with the boys and wait for DH to get home early at 4!
4:15 ~ Daddy is home and the boys take advantage of it! Sorry my camera died about this point.
4:45 ~ Leave to go pick up dinner
5:30 ~ We all eat dinner then get the boys ready for bed.
6:00 ~ The boys go to bed, yes I know this is early but our autistic son can't handle much more after this time so they go to bed.  My husband decided to go to bed too.  I stayed up and watched TV, I was exhausted and elected not to do anything since everyone was asleep.
10:00 ~ Time for bed.  Goodnight!

Saturday Weekly Planning

On Saturday mornings I always try to lay out my week ahead.  It gives me time while the children are watching cartoons to get some quiet time to make a list of things that need to be done. This is mostly things that may have been neglected in the last few days.  Since I have had the flu this last week my list is very long this time.  This Wednesday is also my shopping day, I usually get all my grocery shopping done every other Wednesday (payday) so it takes me a few days to get all my menus lined out with grocery list and coupons in hand.  I start on Saturday with getting the menus down, on Sundays I will pull any coupons I need, and on Monday I will start making the grocery list.  I try to finalize everything on Tuesday and have it all ready, especially if I have to go to multiple stores.  I also go through my homemaking notebook (I hope to have this posted soon) and make sure everything is in order and all appointments and household things do not collide. 
My to-do list for today:
Change sheets on all beds
Laundry
Dishes
Wipe down cabinets
Clean kitchen sink (make it shine)
Dust hallway
Sweep floors in kitchen and dining room
Divide and conquer toys
Cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner
10 minute strength training
30 minute cardio
Bible study
I definitely have a lot to get done today, so I better get moving!

For My Readers

Lately I haven't done much of anything.  I have been trying to figure out how to balance it all.  I think life in general is a balancing act sometimes, but this last month or so nothing has gone the way intended.  Over the last few weeks we have had several problems in our house.  A little broken knob turned into a full renovation in our bathroom.  We also have had several trips out of town for my son's doctor and to visit my parents for my dad's birthday.  All this piled on top of bringing up a new blog isn't the best of circumstances, but I'll muddle my way through.  I have been debating on what avenues to take with my blog and I really can't help but wonder what the best point of approach is.  My life as a housewife encompasses so many things, just like any other homemaker.  Some of the more important things my daily activities touch on is the basics of running any household.  Throw in an autistic four year old, a tantrums two year old, and a shift working husband and I'm sure you can imagine the chaos any day can bring.  I've prayed long and hard on how to merge my daily life with a blog that actually would interest others.  So for the most part I'm going to try and focus on recipes, Lord knows we could all use some ideas sometimes, cleaning and how to make it more efficient and fun, and basic household management.  From time to time, I'll throw in a few house and craft projects with my basic take on what it means to be a housewife and biblical womanhood.  I sincerely hope you all enjoy and follow me, rather I know you personally or not.

Manic Mondays

Mondays in my home are usually very busy.  Today is no different, and I have set aside certain task to be done on certain days.  Monday is the day for the bedrooms to get the attention they need.  If all goes as plan my to-do list looks like this:

• spray all mattresses with allergen spray
• change sheets on all beds
• vacuum all bedrooms
• dust all bedrooms
• clean TVs
• dust ceiling fans in each room
• polish furniture in the bedrooms
• cook dinner - Crock pot Lasagna Monday is pasta night
• laundry
• sweep floors - golden retrievers are very very hairy!!
• take out trash
• make sure all clothes are put away
• pick up toys with boys
• dishes
• clear counter
• wipe down table and chairs

I've had a few people see the size of my to-do list and ask how do I have time to get it all done.  My answer is simple, if things are going the way they should it becomes very easy.  Most often my days start around 7 in the morning and end around 8 in the evening.  Now before you ask, yes I do have enough time to get my house clean, cook three meals, and tend to my children; how?  Well if you don't sit down much a lot can be accomplished.

Garlic Chicken Orzo with Roasted Tomatoes

Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 fresh, skinless boneless chicken breast - cut into bite size pieces
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
3 cups fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup roasted tomatoes (recipe to come soon)
fresh grated Parmesan cheese for topping

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.  Add orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.  Until al dente, then drain.
2.  Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, add the garlic and red pepper and saute for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.  Stir in chicken, season with salt, and cook until lightly browned and juices run clear.  Add tomatoes and mix well, reduce heat to medium.  Mix in parsley and orzo then add spinach.  Continue cooking 5 minutes, stirring often until spinach is wilted.  Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Grilled Chicken Santa Fe Salad

My mother came for a visit and this was our dinner! 

To make this salad you will need:
Lettuce - I used green leaf, Boston, and iceberg
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Peppers
Green Peppers
Green Onion
Cucumber
Avocado
1 Can Black Beans
1 Can Whole Kernel Corn
Creole Seasoning
Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette - Kraft makes a great one
Fresh Chicken Breast
Santa Fe Style Tortilla Strips

Start by preheating your grill, then marinade your chicken.  I usually let mine sit for 20 to 30 minutes. 
Cut peppers in to large strips so they don't fall through the grate on the grill.  Then start tearing your lettuce into a large salad bowl.  Finish chopping all your vegetables and put them into the salad bowl as well.  Drain and rinse the black beans and add desired amount to salad.  Next comes the corn drain three fourths of the can, saute it with a teaspoon of creole seasoning.  The extra liquid will cook out and start to char the corn.  When finished place the corn in a bowl and in the fridge to cool.  Meanwhile go to the grill and cook the chicken, I flip mine often so it doesn't burn the edges.  How long it takes to cook through depends on the thickness of the chicken.  Also add you pepper strips to the grill and cook on both sides until lightly charred.  Make sure to use grill spray so nothing sticks!  Cut chicken strips and peppers to bit size pieces.  Toss in the corn, chicken, and peppers to salad and finish with more of the vinaigrette.  Top with tortilla strips and ENJOY!

Welcome!

I wrote this on my sparkspeople.com blog and it inspired me to revamp my current blog and give you this!  I hope you enjoy it, I'll try to get my things on here frequently but you'll have to excuse me if I miss something from time to time!  So here you go...

To all my fellow housewives…
Being a stay at home mom is something I consider as a blessing. Sure I could put that college degree to use and "work" for a living, but right now I don't have to. I don't have to worry about what TV shows my kids are watching, if they have a jacket on while playing outside, or who is getting them on or off the bus. It's ME that does all of those things. I try to keep the house tidy and presentable incase of the unexpected visitor, but I know it doesn't always happen that way. As I type this I have dirty dishes in my sink, laundry waiting to be done, and a floor in dire need of a sweeping. My husband never has to worry about where I'm at, what's for dinner, or if he has clean underwear. My backyard looks like its very own park with a swing set, trampoline, and tire swing; and lets not even mention my living room. The room of all rooms that houses most of the daily activities for a 4 year old and 2 year old little boys. I cook the meals, wash the clothes, clean the house, and raise my children; and yes I do it mostly on my own. I don't ask for help much and usually I'm to proud to admit defeat. However with this glorious job that I feel I am blessed with comes some drawbacks. My weight isn't where I want it, my body looks funny, I haven't had my haircut in months, and I'm pretty sure my wardrobe is seriously out of date. Then I start wondering why is it this way, where did things change? When did I become one step away from a "What Not To Wear" special or worse one step away from being the old cat lady after my kids have moved on? (Okay honestly the cat lady thing would never happen, I am NOT a cat person!!) I've duelled upon my appearance since I gave birth the first time! I've researched homemaking, and though not perfected it I work hard at it. Then I realized something, I put all my time in my home and my family that as so many of us do I forgot about me. I forgot that my birth certificate does not read Mommy or Honey. It says Lisa, the name my parents chose for me some 29 years ago. I was Lisa long before I was a mom or a wife, and I will be Lisa on my tombstone one day. One of my low points is that I don't put forth the effort for me, and I don't take time to actually look at myself in the mirror with out pointing out the bad things. When was the last time I looked in a mirror and said wow I have pretty eyes, when was the last time you looked in the mirror and realized your beauty beneath the fat, or wrinkles, or new gray hairs? This year I decided to challenge myself to be better, and I'm now inviting you to challenge it with me. If you read this, pass it on to those who need it. Remind yourself if no one else will, that you are someone other than Mommy. All I'm asking is that when you wake up in the morning after you change those diapers or get those babies off to school, take a moment to look in the mirror and enjoy what you see. Then do something little that you feel would make you be a little more like a woman than you normally would do. This could be something as simple as brushing your teeth first, or putting on an outfit instead of those sweats. I once said I had no one to dress for when I was at home then today I walked out of my room in a pink T-shirt and my 4 year old looked it my with those HUGE brown eyes with the longest eye lashes you have ever seen and said "Wow Mommy you look pretty! I think your the prettiest Mommy ever!" My heart smiled, I then knew I have someone to look nice for, my babies are watching and they see a happy pretty Mommy and that makes them happy. So please join me and let me know how it goes, maybe by the time we bring in 2013 we will all be taking more time for ourselves and realizing our potential not just as Mommy or Honey, but also with that name that are parents gave us long long ago.