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