cooking spray
1 1/2 cups canned black beans (although i forgot to measure and just dumped in a whole can) rinsed and drained
1/2 unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp espresso powder
3/4 cup egg substitute (liquid egg)
2 tbsp low cal, sugar free choc syrup (but i just used lite hersheys) and i added about an extra two tbsp
2 tbsp reduced fat sour cream
1 tbsp butter- unsalted and melted
8 tbsp splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 bag choc chunks (nestle or any even just semi sweet choc chips)
preheat oven to 350, spray 8x8 dish
combine beans, cocoa powder, espresso and egg substitute in food processor, mix until smooth about 2 minutes, scrappings sides halfway through
add syrup, sour cream, butter, sugar, vanilla mix until combined,
add choc chunks
pour into pan, bake 28-30 min turning dish halfway through . a toothpick inserted in teh center will come with soft batter clinging to it (for real, i over baked them b/c i thought it wasn't done enough but thats the right texture)
cool complete in the baking dish on a wire rack, refridgerate leftovers
these are based on crazy brownies to begin with but still these are hugely healthier!!
fat- before 70 grams, after 1.6 grams
calories- before 1500, after 53
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Diagnosis
well, I had my biopsy Friday for Celiac Disease and it came back positive- so no more gluten (found in wheat) for me. I liken this to smoking- I don't have alot of pain right now but if I keep eating gluten I am doing damaage and now that I know it I can't keep doing it. It will be a hard transistion but just like everything else in my life- I will dig in and get to it.
I survived a church potluck yesterday and wasn't totally starving so that was a good sign. And praise the Lord for the internet where I know I can find tons of recipes.
Right now I am ok with it but i know there are going to be some hard days and some cravings but I am going to trust God to give me the self- control to not give in.
In other news- finally a week with not much planned- well I say that but I have some people I need to visit, hopefully Dennae has the baby soon so we can go see them, and we have a mops meeting on Wednesday so we will stay busy but hopefully not as busy as the last two weeks!
I survived a church potluck yesterday and wasn't totally starving so that was a good sign. And praise the Lord for the internet where I know I can find tons of recipes.
Right now I am ok with it but i know there are going to be some hard days and some cravings but I am going to trust God to give me the self- control to not give in.
In other news- finally a week with not much planned- well I say that but I have some people I need to visit, hopefully Dennae has the baby soon so we can go see them, and we have a mops meeting on Wednesday so we will stay busy but hopefully not as busy as the last two weeks!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
wonderful root veggie stew
ok, when I see a recipe that uses turnips, parsnips, and rutabaga I don't run toward it but I did try this soup the other day and it was wonderful!! If you like potato soup you will love this.
Creamy Root vegetable Stew
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 tbsp garlic
1 tbsp fresh rosemary divided
1 lb yukon gold potato- diced
3/4 lb rutabaga- peeled and diced
1/2 lb parsnip- peeled and diced
2 cups veg/chick stock
2 cups water
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper
cheese and bacon to top it
in large stockpot or dutch oven heat oil and saute onion (5 min) then add garlic and 2 tsp rosemary (1 min)
add potatos, rutabaga, turnip, parsnip, broth and water- brin to simmer cook covered 20 min.
place 3 cups veggies in blender/food processor (leaving center piece of lid off for steam to escape), blend until pretty smooth
return to pan, stir in whipping cream and salt and pepper to taste
top individual bowls with the cheese of your choice and some crisped up bacon
I had bought the smallest container of whipping cream and since I didn't know if I would make anythign else with just put the whole thing in so I didn't waste it. Serve with any type of crispy bread and a green salad
Give this a chance- you will get some different veggies (I had never acutally used rutabaga before) and it was pretty simply and very yummy!
(originally taken from Cooking Light magazine)
Creamy Root vegetable Stew
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 tbsp garlic
1 tbsp fresh rosemary divided
1 lb yukon gold potato- diced
3/4 lb rutabaga- peeled and diced
1/2 lb parsnip- peeled and diced
2 cups veg/chick stock
2 cups water
2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper
cheese and bacon to top it
in large stockpot or dutch oven heat oil and saute onion (5 min) then add garlic and 2 tsp rosemary (1 min)
add potatos, rutabaga, turnip, parsnip, broth and water- brin to simmer cook covered 20 min.
place 3 cups veggies in blender/food processor (leaving center piece of lid off for steam to escape), blend until pretty smooth
return to pan, stir in whipping cream and salt and pepper to taste
top individual bowls with the cheese of your choice and some crisped up bacon
I had bought the smallest container of whipping cream and since I didn't know if I would make anythign else with just put the whole thing in so I didn't waste it. Serve with any type of crispy bread and a green salad
Give this a chance- you will get some different veggies (I had never acutally used rutabaga before) and it was pretty simply and very yummy!
(originally taken from Cooking Light magazine)
Monday, October 18, 2010
taking the plunge
we did it... we put on offer on a house.
This is significant for several reasons: 1) of course financially it is a huge decision, 2) it is a short sale which will require lots of patience and trust in the Lord timing it all perfectly, 3) it means we are putting down roots here.
Yes it is a big decision but financially it isn't making much sense to keep renting when we could find something that has payments only about 30-40 dollars more than rent. Also b/c it is a short sale we have to wait at least 30-45 days(hopefully even longer for us) if not longer to hear if the offer was accepted or not. WE are in a lease until April so ideally if we could close in Feb our first real payment would be April and then we are only paying one month of double payments. We are just having to trust that God will make them actually take a long time deciding so we can push it that far (I know- every one else makes an offer and can't wait and here we are stuck waiting and wanting it to take a long time!)
Most importantly it means staying here for a long time. With today's economy people don't necessarily stay in one place for more than 5 plus years so yes we know we could move on but at the same time this feels pretty permanent. Brock's job is pretty solid so for us it is more about the question "is this where we want to settle and raise our family?". With my family being spread all out and Brock's family still in and out since two of his siblings are still in college we don't have any reason to move back toward family- cant move to be near people when they are all spread out! SO yeah, this is saying that we are staying in Atlanta and making this home. which i am ok with- it is looking like my dad and mom are moving to either SD or Montana so at least if we stay here we have a big airport to fly out of.
We are still looking for a new church but there are several good ones with in about 7 miles of the house so we know God will show us which one is for us (hopefully soon too b/c it is hard to not have a church home!)
If you would like to look at some pics of the house here is the link:
http://www.soldbykim.com/irw/printlisting.php?lid=18533&oid=0&aoid=&aid=218&cid=177
This is significant for several reasons: 1) of course financially it is a huge decision, 2) it is a short sale which will require lots of patience and trust in the Lord timing it all perfectly, 3) it means we are putting down roots here.
Yes it is a big decision but financially it isn't making much sense to keep renting when we could find something that has payments only about 30-40 dollars more than rent. Also b/c it is a short sale we have to wait at least 30-45 days(hopefully even longer for us) if not longer to hear if the offer was accepted or not. WE are in a lease until April so ideally if we could close in Feb our first real payment would be April and then we are only paying one month of double payments. We are just having to trust that God will make them actually take a long time deciding so we can push it that far (I know- every one else makes an offer and can't wait and here we are stuck waiting and wanting it to take a long time!)
Most importantly it means staying here for a long time. With today's economy people don't necessarily stay in one place for more than 5 plus years so yes we know we could move on but at the same time this feels pretty permanent. Brock's job is pretty solid so for us it is more about the question "is this where we want to settle and raise our family?". With my family being spread all out and Brock's family still in and out since two of his siblings are still in college we don't have any reason to move back toward family- cant move to be near people when they are all spread out! SO yeah, this is saying that we are staying in Atlanta and making this home. which i am ok with- it is looking like my dad and mom are moving to either SD or Montana so at least if we stay here we have a big airport to fly out of.
We are still looking for a new church but there are several good ones with in about 7 miles of the house so we know God will show us which one is for us (hopefully soon too b/c it is hard to not have a church home!)
If you would like to look at some pics of the house here is the link:
http://www.soldbykim.com/irw/printlisting.php?lid=18533&oid=0&aoid=&aid=218&cid=177
Thursday, October 14, 2010
playground milestone
So I don't tend to think of myself as a panicky mom when it comes to Claire getting hurt- what I mean is I know she is going to fall and get some scrapes and bruises and I know I can't protect from eating dirt. However I may have waited a bit to long to let Claire do something at the playground...
Today she went down the big twisty tunnel slide by herself!! To me this is a big milestone. I haven't let her go down them so far b/c I was afraid she would get stuck and I would have to get her and I don't like those slides. However, considering how much fun she had and the squealing that occurred- I should have sucked it up and let her do it before now!! She loved it and I loved listening to her laugh and enjoy it.
It's also a big milestone for me b/c once again it is one of those reminders that she is growing and now as a toddler is NOT a baby anymore which I think every mother misses. While I am loving each stage and enjoying each stage I still miss the ones that have passed.
I know some of you will read this and think "well that just means you're ready for the next one"- and I have thought of that but not quite yet. I want her to follow basic instructions better and we would love more space. ( I will be happy if we decide to stay in the apt for another year if we need to- but having more space would make having another baby a lot easier too!).
Anyway, we had lots of fun at the playground today and can't wait to go back.
Today she went down the big twisty tunnel slide by herself!! To me this is a big milestone. I haven't let her go down them so far b/c I was afraid she would get stuck and I would have to get her and I don't like those slides. However, considering how much fun she had and the squealing that occurred- I should have sucked it up and let her do it before now!! She loved it and I loved listening to her laugh and enjoy it.
It's also a big milestone for me b/c once again it is one of those reminders that she is growing and now as a toddler is NOT a baby anymore which I think every mother misses. While I am loving each stage and enjoying each stage I still miss the ones that have passed.
I know some of you will read this and think "well that just means you're ready for the next one"- and I have thought of that but not quite yet. I want her to follow basic instructions better and we would love more space. ( I will be happy if we decide to stay in the apt for another year if we need to- but having more space would make having another baby a lot easier too!).
Anyway, we had lots of fun at the playground today and can't wait to go back.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
possible house
Well, as mentioned in the update we have started looking at houses and this weekend we found one that might work. Brock is running the numbers and if they work out the way he thinks they will we might put in an offer. It is a short sale which would be great for us since we are in a lease until April. It is small but in a cozy way not a cramped way and the kitchen isn't perfect but it would work and it has a fenced in backyard, and sits right behind the playground which would be perfect! So anyway, Pray for us please as we think about whether this is the house God has for us!
In other news we had story hour at the library today- which is always fun- Claire loves it. I have some housework to finish up and some reading to do about the Celiac/Wheat thing since no matter what I need to give up wheat and gluten. So I got some books from the library to help me learn what to do and get some good meal ideas (I can't live off of salad!)
Happy Columbus Day!
In other news we had story hour at the library today- which is always fun- Claire loves it. I have some housework to finish up and some reading to do about the Celiac/Wheat thing since no matter what I need to give up wheat and gluten. So I got some books from the library to help me learn what to do and get some good meal ideas (I can't live off of salad!)
Happy Columbus Day!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Life Update- October 2010
Well it has been a while, I let this drop but I want to keep this up at least every once in a while as a place to just keep track of what has been happening in our lives.
We are actually in the middle of a few somewhat large changes so here is the update:
We are looking at houses! Woo hoo, after being in an apartment for the last 10 years this is very exciting to me. It isn't even the space issue (well it would be nice to have more space) but for me the real issue and reason I am ready for a home is that I can't wait to PAINT!! I am not a white walls type of person and of course in apts all you get are cream colored plain walls. Plus I just enjoy painting (and yes I know I am weird), you put on some good music and let me go and I will be happy. I am also ready for a feeling of permanence. Being in an apt has it's pluses but now that we have Claire (who is 18 mos btw) and are thinking of when we would like to have another one we are feeling like we need to pick a place to call home. We know God can move us whenever He wants but as of right now it is looking like we will be in Atlanta for a while. I do wish we were closer to family but with Matt and Amber in the marines and being stationed a different place and with Dad and Mom waiting to find out where God is going to put them in the ministry we don't even know where everyone else will be. Unfortunately for Brock's family we are not planning to ever go back to Saginaw so we are ready for a place to call home. I think for the most part we are enjoying looking at the pics of all the different houses and yes you can get some great deals. It is also an up and down process so we trying to be patient and to wait on the Lord to show us the home He has for us. It is hard to find the amenities we want with a price that will be good for us (we won't buy something we can't afford!). It is exciting though, so keep us in prayer that we would find a sweet home!
God is also moving us to a new church. We loved being at Metropolitan for the last two years and for reasons known only to God He told us about 2 weeks ago to start looking for a new church. We knew we were going to need to start looking b/c where we are looking to move isn't close to the church but God moved us on sooner. It has been hard b/c the people there were truly like family but when God says go you go. On one hand it is fun to go to different places, meet new people and see how God is working in other churches, at the same time it is hard leaving the place that felt like home for the last two years, the place where Claire was born and dedicated... however we know God is leading us to a great new church where we can settle down and become active in ministry.
Claire is doing well. She is 18 months old now and a sweet funny girl. She isn't talking really yet, although she was a bit later to walk as well and very independent. I think she will be one of those children who are late to talk but when she does it won't just be "cup" it will be a whole sentence that will be clear as day. We read all the time and I am trying to get her to point out objects... I know she hears me and she understands WAY more than she lets on! lol. I am not really worried about it even though the doctor wants her to be saying more. I just think when she is ready she will and we are doing what we can as far as talking, reading and labeling things for her.
and last but not least, I am having some health updates- I have suffered from eczema my whole life and no one has been able to really do much about it. I try not to let it impact my life but it does, even on good days (meaning I am pretty clear) I am never completely cleared up and scratching all the time is miserable. So I had an allergy test done in college that said I had a reaction to wheat and gluten (which can either be an intolerance or an actual disease called Celiac Disease). Celiacs actually kills off the villae in the intestine which means you can't absorb nutrients properly leading to lots discomfort and eventually other serious issues from malnutrition. So if you eat gluten you are killing the lining of the intestine, while an intolerance just means your body doesn't process wheat well and you should still cut it out of your diet but if you do eat it the damage to your body isn't the same nor as dangerous. Ok, so anyway the allergy prick test said gluten but I was in college and who really can cut out gluten in college- so I let it go, then last summer I had a biopsy of my skin done b/c a side effect of Celiac disease is skin rash and we thought maybe I had that rash instead of or with eczema but it came back negative. Well I have been on steroid creams for years now b/c they are the only thing that even remotely works but you can't be on those forever and they also have bad side effects. So last week I went to the doctor and got the blood test to prove for sure whether I have eczema (which really doesn't have a cure) or the Celiac. The panel came back positive which means I am reacting to gluten. So I went to the GI specialist and am having an endoscopy on October 29th. That means they will put a tube down my throat and take a little biopsy of my intestine. Please pray that the results would show an intolerance only and not the Celiac Disease. Also, please pray for us as we transition to a wheat and gluten free diet. I will post more on what that entails later, just know that it is a large undertaking and while I am ready to feel better and know that the diagnosis could be worse (both with the intolerance and Celiac, diet changes will take care of everything, there is no pill or something which is good news)- it still a lot to take in.
So there you go- lots of changes. I am feeling like things keep spinning and every time I try to get my feet planted something else changes but I think that is just God's way of keeping me on my toes and reminding me to keep focusing on Him, His plan for us and His goodness.
Now, since I am writing this at 5 am (I have been up since 4- wide awake...) I am going to sign off and try to go back to bed.
We are actually in the middle of a few somewhat large changes so here is the update:
We are looking at houses! Woo hoo, after being in an apartment for the last 10 years this is very exciting to me. It isn't even the space issue (well it would be nice to have more space) but for me the real issue and reason I am ready for a home is that I can't wait to PAINT!! I am not a white walls type of person and of course in apts all you get are cream colored plain walls. Plus I just enjoy painting (and yes I know I am weird), you put on some good music and let me go and I will be happy. I am also ready for a feeling of permanence. Being in an apt has it's pluses but now that we have Claire (who is 18 mos btw) and are thinking of when we would like to have another one we are feeling like we need to pick a place to call home. We know God can move us whenever He wants but as of right now it is looking like we will be in Atlanta for a while. I do wish we were closer to family but with Matt and Amber in the marines and being stationed a different place and with Dad and Mom waiting to find out where God is going to put them in the ministry we don't even know where everyone else will be. Unfortunately for Brock's family we are not planning to ever go back to Saginaw so we are ready for a place to call home. I think for the most part we are enjoying looking at the pics of all the different houses and yes you can get some great deals. It is also an up and down process so we trying to be patient and to wait on the Lord to show us the home He has for us. It is hard to find the amenities we want with a price that will be good for us (we won't buy something we can't afford!). It is exciting though, so keep us in prayer that we would find a sweet home!
God is also moving us to a new church. We loved being at Metropolitan for the last two years and for reasons known only to God He told us about 2 weeks ago to start looking for a new church. We knew we were going to need to start looking b/c where we are looking to move isn't close to the church but God moved us on sooner. It has been hard b/c the people there were truly like family but when God says go you go. On one hand it is fun to go to different places, meet new people and see how God is working in other churches, at the same time it is hard leaving the place that felt like home for the last two years, the place where Claire was born and dedicated... however we know God is leading us to a great new church where we can settle down and become active in ministry.
Claire is doing well. She is 18 months old now and a sweet funny girl. She isn't talking really yet, although she was a bit later to walk as well and very independent. I think she will be one of those children who are late to talk but when she does it won't just be "cup" it will be a whole sentence that will be clear as day. We read all the time and I am trying to get her to point out objects... I know she hears me and she understands WAY more than she lets on! lol. I am not really worried about it even though the doctor wants her to be saying more. I just think when she is ready she will and we are doing what we can as far as talking, reading and labeling things for her.
and last but not least, I am having some health updates- I have suffered from eczema my whole life and no one has been able to really do much about it. I try not to let it impact my life but it does, even on good days (meaning I am pretty clear) I am never completely cleared up and scratching all the time is miserable. So I had an allergy test done in college that said I had a reaction to wheat and gluten (which can either be an intolerance or an actual disease called Celiac Disease). Celiacs actually kills off the villae in the intestine which means you can't absorb nutrients properly leading to lots discomfort and eventually other serious issues from malnutrition. So if you eat gluten you are killing the lining of the intestine, while an intolerance just means your body doesn't process wheat well and you should still cut it out of your diet but if you do eat it the damage to your body isn't the same nor as dangerous. Ok, so anyway the allergy prick test said gluten but I was in college and who really can cut out gluten in college- so I let it go, then last summer I had a biopsy of my skin done b/c a side effect of Celiac disease is skin rash and we thought maybe I had that rash instead of or with eczema but it came back negative. Well I have been on steroid creams for years now b/c they are the only thing that even remotely works but you can't be on those forever and they also have bad side effects. So last week I went to the doctor and got the blood test to prove for sure whether I have eczema (which really doesn't have a cure) or the Celiac. The panel came back positive which means I am reacting to gluten. So I went to the GI specialist and am having an endoscopy on October 29th. That means they will put a tube down my throat and take a little biopsy of my intestine. Please pray that the results would show an intolerance only and not the Celiac Disease. Also, please pray for us as we transition to a wheat and gluten free diet. I will post more on what that entails later, just know that it is a large undertaking and while I am ready to feel better and know that the diagnosis could be worse (both with the intolerance and Celiac, diet changes will take care of everything, there is no pill or something which is good news)- it still a lot to take in.
So there you go- lots of changes. I am feeling like things keep spinning and every time I try to get my feet planted something else changes but I think that is just God's way of keeping me on my toes and reminding me to keep focusing on Him, His plan for us and His goodness.
Now, since I am writing this at 5 am (I have been up since 4- wide awake...) I am going to sign off and try to go back to bed.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monthly Meal Planning (October)
Since many of my friends on facebook wanted info on my monthly meal plan I figured it was easier to post it here.
First of all, I am by no means a pro at this, this is only my third month with it but I will gladly share what I do.
I tried couponing but frankly I ended up buying more of things that I don't think we really need (5 boxes of granola bars are great at 50 cents apiece but we aren't going to eat them very quickly so in the long run I don't know that it saved me any thing). Also, for me it was time consuming and I didn't like going to 3 different stores and being in Atlanta, we don’t have the same types of deals I know some of you can get (doubling up to a dollar, case sales, or canned goods for like 30 cents for example).
Since couponing wasn't really working, and I hated spending at least an hour each week planning the menu (if I spent less time we only had meals that were easy/cheap such as hotdogs/sloppy joes/tacos/spaghetti- all of which are fine but not every week!) So since I wanted to try different, healthier, more exciting meals I decided to try planning for the month. This way I spend an hour or just over that to plan the menu, then each week I only have to go through the recipes, make the list of ingredients and off I go.
Now some notes:
First of all I recommend finding a monthly healthy cooking magazine that you like and getting a subscription- here's why:
they will do all the work of planning based on what will be in season and it will be healthy stuff!! For example, I got my Oct magazine last week, that meant all I had to do was go through and pull the recipes I wanted to try and plug them in to my calendar- saving me a lot of work, you can plug those in then fill around them with your favorites. I feel the subscription cost is well worth getting healthy timely recipes.
also, I am trying to make 1-2 meals per week vegetarian/ using beans and lentils. I am also trying to use a lot more green veggies... which i need help with- we eat broccoli and green beans but I need more ideas for things such as brussel sprouts/cabbage/kale so if you have some good recipes please share them with me.
You will see lots of repeated broc/brussel sprouts on this menu b/c I put them in now and then each week I am going to Google for a few fresh side dishes, I just haven't had time this week to do that.
When planning, make a quick list of your families favorites/easy/quick recipes. For example- I have a recipe called "Greek pizza" that I love and its pretty easy and cheap, same for things like pancakes/tacos/quiche that I can plug in after putting in my more exciting options.
The great thing about a monthly menu is you can try lots of new recipes- for example I think about 85 percent of this month is new recipes for me.
Monthly planning also helps me to roll over ingredients easier- so if I am buying parsnips for a side dish, then a couple days later I can use it in soup. Also this way I know to plan to use all my fresh veggies/fruit early in the week then I can do leftovers/breakfast for dinner/quiche toward the end of the week (I do my shopping on Thursdays so I can plan that by Tuesday/Wednesday I will be on the tail end of keeping things fresh).
Each week I can also then try new desserts as well, each week I pick one/two desserts to add in which I can then make whenever I want.
also for us, I don't actually like to cook much on the weekend (I know most people, especially those of you that work need to do most of your cooking then but since I don't actually love cooking I try to take the weekend off, plus we never know what we are going to be up to) so you will see things like hotdogs/sandwiches/mac and cheese as my lunch options b/c that way if we aren't home it doesn't really matter.
I just made a table in word with 7 columns,and 6 rows- put your days of the week in the top row then space out the next 5 rows and save that as a template, i don't put the numbers of the days in b/c that way each month i just put the first of the week in and it saves me time since i don't really care about the specific date anyway (as a SAHM they all come and go...lol)
You can choose to type in your recipes but I am old fashioned and prefer to write mine out which is why I don’t have a copy right on the computer to show you. if you choose to type it out you can also type the ingredients in as well but i find that took too long. I just pull the recipes I want and keep them in a binder-
so next topic: how i manage the recipes:
I have a three fold system- as i come across recipes i like, either from my monthly magazine, online or whatever I cut it out or write it on a note card. These then get put into a accordion file folder in categories such as main dishes/pasta/soups/baked goods/desserts/appetizers. Then when I am making my monthly menu I can look through those to find recipes I want to try. Once I try a recipe and we like it and I know I want to make it again I move it to a different binder- one that I put plastic sheet protectors in- I use the kind made for holding pics (find it in the office supply section, not the plain full sheets but ones divided, but not the baseball card kind b/c they aren't big enough to adequately display the names of the recipes) Some recipes you will have to fold up but that way you can use 6 recipes per page (front and back). This way you can keep the recipes you know are tried and true separated from the ones you want to to try (b/c most of us tend to have tons of recipes we want to try but wont get to for a while!)
OK I think that about covers the tips/basic info I wanted to share, now here is my October plan:
(remember most of these recipes I have pulled from a magazine and have in a pile to keep out, or they are the ones I do by memory- if you see a recipe you are very interested in let me know and I will email it to you although I may not have tried it myself yet- the point of this was not to share every recipe with you but just to show you how I do the monthly plan)
October 1: mini meatloaf with mashed potatoes and broccoli
(Saturday) 2: roasted cauliflower pasta, salad- dinner, lunch- grilled cheese
(Sunday) 3: lunch- leftover pasta, dinner- Bulgar Greek salad
4: maple glazed salmon with sauteed brussel sprouts and rice
5: Tuscan baked chicken and beans
6: Greek pizza
7: fish with herbed couscous pilaf and carrots
8: Parmesan pork cutlets, sweet potato, salad
9: lunch: hotdogs, dinner: apple parsnip soup, biscuits, broccoli
10: lunch: sandwiches, dinner: veg lasagna (with added lentils)
11: chicken with lemon and leek linguine, salad
12: creamy root veg stew and goat cheese crostini
13: leftovers/quiche
14: Mexican lentils and rice
15: crispy onion chicken, brussel sprouts and sweet potato
16: lunch: mac and cheese, Dinner: chicken stuffed with spinach, feta and pine nuts
17: lunch- grilled cheese, dinner: savory bean and spinach soup (slowcooker) and carrots
18: spaghetti, broccoli, breadsticks
19: pancakes
20: tacos
21: Mexican bean and barley chili, salad
22: fettuccine Alfredo, green beans, carrots
23: lunch- hotdogs, dinner: shrimp tabbouleh
24: lunch- leftover tabbouleh in a pita sandwiches, dinner: loaded potato soup/ and broccoli
25: toasted clubs, carrots, cauliflower
26: sauteed Worcestershire chicken, sweet potato, broccoli
27: pasta e fagolie soup, breadsticks
28: rotisserie chicken, brussel sprouts, sauteed peppers
29: pork roast with carrots and potatoes
30: lunch: sandwiches, dinner: white chicken chili, carrots
31: lunch: leftover chili, dinner: (use leftover pork roast)- make into: bbq, tater fries, green salad
November 1 (since mine goes Thursday to Thursday): stir fry
2: pancakes
3: quesidillas
First of all, I am by no means a pro at this, this is only my third month with it but I will gladly share what I do.
I tried couponing but frankly I ended up buying more of things that I don't think we really need (5 boxes of granola bars are great at 50 cents apiece but we aren't going to eat them very quickly so in the long run I don't know that it saved me any thing). Also, for me it was time consuming and I didn't like going to 3 different stores and being in Atlanta, we don’t have the same types of deals I know some of you can get (doubling up to a dollar, case sales, or canned goods for like 30 cents for example).
Since couponing wasn't really working, and I hated spending at least an hour each week planning the menu (if I spent less time we only had meals that were easy/cheap such as hotdogs/sloppy joes/tacos/spaghetti- all of which are fine but not every week!) So since I wanted to try different, healthier, more exciting meals I decided to try planning for the month. This way I spend an hour or just over that to plan the menu, then each week I only have to go through the recipes, make the list of ingredients and off I go.
Now some notes:
First of all I recommend finding a monthly healthy cooking magazine that you like and getting a subscription- here's why:
they will do all the work of planning based on what will be in season and it will be healthy stuff!! For example, I got my Oct magazine last week, that meant all I had to do was go through and pull the recipes I wanted to try and plug them in to my calendar- saving me a lot of work, you can plug those in then fill around them with your favorites. I feel the subscription cost is well worth getting healthy timely recipes.
also, I am trying to make 1-2 meals per week vegetarian/ using beans and lentils. I am also trying to use a lot more green veggies... which i need help with- we eat broccoli and green beans but I need more ideas for things such as brussel sprouts/cabbage/kale so if you have some good recipes please share them with me.
You will see lots of repeated broc/brussel sprouts on this menu b/c I put them in now and then each week I am going to Google for a few fresh side dishes, I just haven't had time this week to do that.
When planning, make a quick list of your families favorites/easy/quick recipes. For example- I have a recipe called "Greek pizza" that I love and its pretty easy and cheap, same for things like pancakes/tacos/quiche that I can plug in after putting in my more exciting options.
The great thing about a monthly menu is you can try lots of new recipes- for example I think about 85 percent of this month is new recipes for me.
Monthly planning also helps me to roll over ingredients easier- so if I am buying parsnips for a side dish, then a couple days later I can use it in soup. Also this way I know to plan to use all my fresh veggies/fruit early in the week then I can do leftovers/breakfast for dinner/quiche toward the end of the week (I do my shopping on Thursdays so I can plan that by Tuesday/Wednesday I will be on the tail end of keeping things fresh).
Each week I can also then try new desserts as well, each week I pick one/two desserts to add in which I can then make whenever I want.
also for us, I don't actually like to cook much on the weekend (I know most people, especially those of you that work need to do most of your cooking then but since I don't actually love cooking I try to take the weekend off, plus we never know what we are going to be up to) so you will see things like hotdogs/sandwiches/mac and cheese as my lunch options b/c that way if we aren't home it doesn't really matter.
I just made a table in word with 7 columns,and 6 rows- put your days of the week in the top row then space out the next 5 rows and save that as a template, i don't put the numbers of the days in b/c that way each month i just put the first of the week in and it saves me time since i don't really care about the specific date anyway (as a SAHM they all come and go...lol)
You can choose to type in your recipes but I am old fashioned and prefer to write mine out which is why I don’t have a copy right on the computer to show you. if you choose to type it out you can also type the ingredients in as well but i find that took too long. I just pull the recipes I want and keep them in a binder-
so next topic: how i manage the recipes:
I have a three fold system- as i come across recipes i like, either from my monthly magazine, online or whatever I cut it out or write it on a note card. These then get put into a accordion file folder in categories such as main dishes/pasta/soups/baked goods/desserts/appetizers. Then when I am making my monthly menu I can look through those to find recipes I want to try. Once I try a recipe and we like it and I know I want to make it again I move it to a different binder- one that I put plastic sheet protectors in- I use the kind made for holding pics (find it in the office supply section, not the plain full sheets but ones divided, but not the baseball card kind b/c they aren't big enough to adequately display the names of the recipes) Some recipes you will have to fold up but that way you can use 6 recipes per page (front and back). This way you can keep the recipes you know are tried and true separated from the ones you want to to try (b/c most of us tend to have tons of recipes we want to try but wont get to for a while!)
OK I think that about covers the tips/basic info I wanted to share, now here is my October plan:
(remember most of these recipes I have pulled from a magazine and have in a pile to keep out, or they are the ones I do by memory- if you see a recipe you are very interested in let me know and I will email it to you although I may not have tried it myself yet- the point of this was not to share every recipe with you but just to show you how I do the monthly plan)
October 1: mini meatloaf with mashed potatoes and broccoli
(Saturday) 2: roasted cauliflower pasta, salad- dinner, lunch- grilled cheese
(Sunday) 3: lunch- leftover pasta, dinner- Bulgar Greek salad
4: maple glazed salmon with sauteed brussel sprouts and rice
5: Tuscan baked chicken and beans
6: Greek pizza
7: fish with herbed couscous pilaf and carrots
8: Parmesan pork cutlets, sweet potato, salad
9: lunch: hotdogs, dinner: apple parsnip soup, biscuits, broccoli
10: lunch: sandwiches, dinner: veg lasagna (with added lentils)
11: chicken with lemon and leek linguine, salad
12: creamy root veg stew and goat cheese crostini
13: leftovers/quiche
14: Mexican lentils and rice
15: crispy onion chicken, brussel sprouts and sweet potato
16: lunch: mac and cheese, Dinner: chicken stuffed with spinach, feta and pine nuts
17: lunch- grilled cheese, dinner: savory bean and spinach soup (slowcooker) and carrots
18: spaghetti, broccoli, breadsticks
19: pancakes
20: tacos
21: Mexican bean and barley chili, salad
22: fettuccine Alfredo, green beans, carrots
23: lunch- hotdogs, dinner: shrimp tabbouleh
24: lunch- leftover tabbouleh in a pita sandwiches, dinner: loaded potato soup/ and broccoli
25: toasted clubs, carrots, cauliflower
26: sauteed Worcestershire chicken, sweet potato, broccoli
27: pasta e fagolie soup, breadsticks
28: rotisserie chicken, brussel sprouts, sauteed peppers
29: pork roast with carrots and potatoes
30: lunch: sandwiches, dinner: white chicken chili, carrots
31: lunch: leftover chili, dinner: (use leftover pork roast)- make into: bbq, tater fries, green salad
November 1 (since mine goes Thursday to Thursday): stir fry
2: pancakes
3: quesidillas
Monday, March 8, 2010
behind in posting but sick
I know I am behind in posting but I am very sick today (joint pain, throwing up...) Brock even had to stay home to take care of me. I just wanted to let everyone know I will post and tell you all about last week but just not today!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Easy Monday
Well,
I think Claire is trying to give up her morning nap and I am just not sure what to do about it- what I mean is that I don't know when to switch to put her down at a later time. I have tried for a week now to put her down at 9:30 when she used to and all she does is talk and play in the crib. I leave her there for almost an hour. Then she wants to go down around 12:30 for 2-2.5 hours which is fine but then around 5 she is tired again but then I am afraid to put her down because bedtime is 7. So we will see what happens I guess, when she is tired she will sleep I know but at the same time I am big on getting enough sleep and I hate when she is fussy tired at 5 b/c that is when Brock is getting home and I want her happy for him!
In other news we had a couple that we met at Lamaze class over for dinner saturday- it was a nice time and I hoping we can have some weekly/bi-weekly play dates. We also had Daniel and Dennae over for dinner and bible study last night so it was a good weekend.
B/c we had company my house is pretty clean, I made a bit of baby food this morning and now am going to work on a monthly meal plan. We have to work on getting our grocery bill lower so I am goign to try the monthly meal plan idea and a price book to compare prices between Aldi/Kroger and Publix. Off to work on that, have a great day,
God Bless,
Lottie
I think Claire is trying to give up her morning nap and I am just not sure what to do about it- what I mean is that I don't know when to switch to put her down at a later time. I have tried for a week now to put her down at 9:30 when she used to and all she does is talk and play in the crib. I leave her there for almost an hour. Then she wants to go down around 12:30 for 2-2.5 hours which is fine but then around 5 she is tired again but then I am afraid to put her down because bedtime is 7. So we will see what happens I guess, when she is tired she will sleep I know but at the same time I am big on getting enough sleep and I hate when she is fussy tired at 5 b/c that is when Brock is getting home and I want her happy for him!
In other news we had a couple that we met at Lamaze class over for dinner saturday- it was a nice time and I hoping we can have some weekly/bi-weekly play dates. We also had Daniel and Dennae over for dinner and bible study last night so it was a good weekend.
B/c we had company my house is pretty clean, I made a bit of baby food this morning and now am going to work on a monthly meal plan. We have to work on getting our grocery bill lower so I am goign to try the monthly meal plan idea and a price book to compare prices between Aldi/Kroger and Publix. Off to work on that, have a great day,
God Bless,
Lottie
Friday, February 26, 2010
Don't feel like it but will anyway
I don't actually feel like posting but do want to stay connected and for family reading this I do want them to feel connected.
We have had an average week. Nothing really special going on. Claire is eating a lot and not wanting to take a morning nap but that's it. Three days in a row now she has acted tired but then not gone to sleep when I put her down. The first day I do think she ended up sleeping a few minutes (or at least was totally quiet). Yesterday she didn't nap at all in the morning and today I put her down, she didn't sleep so I got her back up and have now put her back down again- she is laying there but isn't asleep yet (though am hoping she does fall asleep). Not only am I just not ready to give up that time, but most importantly she still needs it- I am a bit of a stickler on making sure she gets enough sleep.
I have also started looking at things for her first birthday which is next month. We are having it at the church after the morning message so am trying to figure out whether to just have cake or try to plan some games and what not, will have to talk to pastor about that though b/c we don't want the afternoon service to be pushed back.
I made baked apple chips today which are very delicious and am glad I made them now so that I can get used to making them as a snack for Claire. I am now off to cook up a large amount of hamburger that I bought yesterday (making mini-meat loafs, then ground beef for lasagna, tacos and chili).
Have a great day,
God Bless,
Lottie
We have had an average week. Nothing really special going on. Claire is eating a lot and not wanting to take a morning nap but that's it. Three days in a row now she has acted tired but then not gone to sleep when I put her down. The first day I do think she ended up sleeping a few minutes (or at least was totally quiet). Yesterday she didn't nap at all in the morning and today I put her down, she didn't sleep so I got her back up and have now put her back down again- she is laying there but isn't asleep yet (though am hoping she does fall asleep). Not only am I just not ready to give up that time, but most importantly she still needs it- I am a bit of a stickler on making sure she gets enough sleep.
I have also started looking at things for her first birthday which is next month. We are having it at the church after the morning message so am trying to figure out whether to just have cake or try to plan some games and what not, will have to talk to pastor about that though b/c we don't want the afternoon service to be pushed back.
I made baked apple chips today which are very delicious and am glad I made them now so that I can get used to making them as a snack for Claire. I am now off to cook up a large amount of hamburger that I bought yesterday (making mini-meat loafs, then ground beef for lasagna, tacos and chili).
Have a great day,
God Bless,
Lottie
Monday, February 22, 2010
lots of company!
Well, Friday night our pastor and his family came for dinner. Now let me just say that we LOVE our pastor and his family however, they get lost every time they come here! We had a great time with them though.
Then Saturday I went to a children's boutique sale and did well although I wish I had known it was coming b/c I would have saved up and than bought a lot- it was up to 75% off and there were some great deals. I spent 50 dollars on 4 things but look at what I got:
The pink dress was 12 (from 35) and is a possibility for Claire's baby dedication/birthday (through scheduling issues we ended up deciding to wait until her 1 year birthday and dedicate her then). The purple dress is for next summer-10$ (from 50). Then funny thing about the Christmas ones- the reindeer jumper was 12 (from 75) and is for next Christmas. The other jumper with the ornaments was 15 (also from 75) but its a size 5! lol, Brock didn't understand but those of you with kids know what those boutique prices are like and if you can get that kind of a deal its worth saving it!! Plus I figure she can wear it at least 2 years b/c she can wear it as a dress and then as a tunic. Plus its sweater material so its nice and cozy!
I also got my hair cut Saturday and then we went for a walk- where I walked a mile and than ran a mile and a quarter!!! That's a big accomplishment for me- since I used to run but never really loved it.
Sunday was church and then our first neighbors Nick and Tessa came for dinner. We just love them but don't get to see them that often since they bought a house, so it was great to grill out with them.
Today is cleaning and I made some baby food. I won't post tomorrow (Tuesday) b/c we are having more company! Our first baby friends are coming- what I mean is that we met during Lamaze so we feel our girls were sort of first friends! they are only a few weeks apart and we haven't seen them since the class (they thought they were moving but didn't) so anyway we are having a play date. Then in the evening I have my LAST class!!! WOO HOOO!!!
God Bless,
Lottie
Then Saturday I went to a children's boutique sale and did well although I wish I had known it was coming b/c I would have saved up and than bought a lot- it was up to 75% off and there were some great deals. I spent 50 dollars on 4 things but look at what I got:
The pink dress was 12 (from 35) and is a possibility for Claire's baby dedication/birthday (through scheduling issues we ended up deciding to wait until her 1 year birthday and dedicate her then). The purple dress is for next summer-10$ (from 50). Then funny thing about the Christmas ones- the reindeer jumper was 12 (from 75) and is for next Christmas. The other jumper with the ornaments was 15 (also from 75) but its a size 5! lol, Brock didn't understand but those of you with kids know what those boutique prices are like and if you can get that kind of a deal its worth saving it!! Plus I figure she can wear it at least 2 years b/c she can wear it as a dress and then as a tunic. Plus its sweater material so its nice and cozy!
I also got my hair cut Saturday and then we went for a walk- where I walked a mile and than ran a mile and a quarter!!! That's a big accomplishment for me- since I used to run but never really loved it.
Sunday was church and then our first neighbors Nick and Tessa came for dinner. We just love them but don't get to see them that often since they bought a house, so it was great to grill out with them.
Today is cleaning and I made some baby food. I won't post tomorrow (Tuesday) b/c we are having more company! Our first baby friends are coming- what I mean is that we met during Lamaze so we feel our girls were sort of first friends! they are only a few weeks apart and we haven't seen them since the class (they thought they were moving but didn't) so anyway we are having a play date. Then in the evening I have my LAST class!!! WOO HOOO!!!
God Bless,
Lottie
Friday, February 19, 2010
lovely lunch
We just had lunch at Brock's office with him and then with Susan (the office manager who has been a great encouragement and friend to me).
We also had to stop at walmart for night time diapers and nipple replacements for our bottles- but here is the stupid thing- they don't make many in the fast and heavy flow size which is what we need. The ones they make just have this tiny little hole and Claire would be way to impatient for that. So we decided to wean from the bottle and just go with a sippy cup. The one I got has a bottle shape but then three different nozzles to transition from one stage to the next. Hopefully that works- she is already just under 11 months so timing wise I am fine- she will still get formula it will just be in a sippy.
Tonight our pastor and his family are coming for dinner and games. That will be lots of fun. Then tomorrow there is a baby boutique sale downtown that I want to go to. Will post later on if I go and what great deals I get!
Hope you have had a good week, and enjoy your weekend,
God Bless,
Lottie
We also had to stop at walmart for night time diapers and nipple replacements for our bottles- but here is the stupid thing- they don't make many in the fast and heavy flow size which is what we need. The ones they make just have this tiny little hole and Claire would be way to impatient for that. So we decided to wean from the bottle and just go with a sippy cup. The one I got has a bottle shape but then three different nozzles to transition from one stage to the next. Hopefully that works- she is already just under 11 months so timing wise I am fine- she will still get formula it will just be in a sippy.
Tonight our pastor and his family are coming for dinner and games. That will be lots of fun. Then tomorrow there is a baby boutique sale downtown that I want to go to. Will post later on if I go and what great deals I get!
Hope you have had a good week, and enjoy your weekend,
God Bless,
Lottie
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Claire walked with help!
So last night Claire started walking with her pushcart toy!!!! Up until then she hadn't really shown signs of wanting to move by walking but last night she grabbed that handle and was off!! I don't want to rush walking, but it is very exciting! She can push it all over until she runs into something which means I then have to run over and move her and the cart around so she has a straigtaway again!! She is 10 3/4 month old.
We also had a lovely visit with some of Brocks family last night. Dean and Barb are actually Brock's second cousins I think (his dad's first cousin). THey are on thier way to Florida. It was lovely to see them, we learned some more about the family tree (Brock has started a hobby- Praise the Lord!- of working on his family tree- I like this because it gives him something to do in the evenings after Claire goes to sleep so we can both be working on different things and yet still be in the same room while not being in each others way!). Anyway... Barb knows a bit about the family history so Brock got to add several people to his tree.
In other exciting yet still frustrating news... I am down 12 pounds.... but most of my clothes still dont fit right. I am glad about the 12 pounds but its still so frustrating when I all I want is a basic sweater to wear to the grocery store and yet I still just look fat! I dont' even look pregnant which would be fine (I would rather have people think i look pregnant than just fat!). I am doing well at excercising, I did my hour of kickboxing this morning. I have to keep working on portion sizes and dessert/sugars. I know it will take time and I want it to be a lifestyle change which also takes more time than a "DIET" but still... I want to put on a sweater and not look in the mirror and be disgusted.
Today is grocery shopping day and I don't have much on my list b/c I am hoping to make mostly pantry meals as we are getting too close on our budget. I do couponing but am still not seeing the major savings I would like. So anyone with tips on saving on groceries please pass them on to me!
God Bless,
Lottie
We also had a lovely visit with some of Brocks family last night. Dean and Barb are actually Brock's second cousins I think (his dad's first cousin). THey are on thier way to Florida. It was lovely to see them, we learned some more about the family tree (Brock has started a hobby- Praise the Lord!- of working on his family tree- I like this because it gives him something to do in the evenings after Claire goes to sleep so we can both be working on different things and yet still be in the same room while not being in each others way!). Anyway... Barb knows a bit about the family history so Brock got to add several people to his tree.
In other exciting yet still frustrating news... I am down 12 pounds.... but most of my clothes still dont fit right. I am glad about the 12 pounds but its still so frustrating when I all I want is a basic sweater to wear to the grocery store and yet I still just look fat! I dont' even look pregnant which would be fine (I would rather have people think i look pregnant than just fat!). I am doing well at excercising, I did my hour of kickboxing this morning. I have to keep working on portion sizes and dessert/sugars. I know it will take time and I want it to be a lifestyle change which also takes more time than a "DIET" but still... I want to put on a sweater and not look in the mirror and be disgusted.
Today is grocery shopping day and I don't have much on my list b/c I am hoping to make mostly pantry meals as we are getting too close on our budget. I do couponing but am still not seeing the major savings I would like. So anyone with tips on saving on groceries please pass them on to me!
God Bless,
Lottie
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Teeth pain
So it doesn't matter what I do, I could brush and floss every 5 min. and I would still have cavaties. With that said I have had 3 root canals and jsut recently had my first crown. Well this morning was the day I went back to get the final crown (they give you a temporary one so they can make molds and make a proper final one). But it is making my gums hurt like crazy. I am actually going to take some pain pills for it. Plus I only got 5 hours of sleep last night so I am feeling it. Every so often I have nights where I just wake up wide awake- not stressed or anything and just can't get back to sleep. So I am tired and in pain, and I have my special ed class tonight- which wouldn't be so bad but I have already learned what they are teaching... you know how sometimes you take a class and its like "Wow- I learned so much"... well this is not one of those classes- its everything I already took so it feels like a waste of time.
The good news about today is that Claire has been really good and Brock is working from home today (so I could be at the dentist) so at least even though I am really tired he has been here if I needed anything. Plus I find that I just really enjoy when he is home. It used to not bother me if he had to work late or if he traveled but lately I just want the three of us to be home and together all the time now!
Hope you all have a better tuesday than I am.
God Bless,
Lottie
The good news about today is that Claire has been really good and Brock is working from home today (so I could be at the dentist) so at least even though I am really tired he has been here if I needed anything. Plus I find that I just really enjoy when he is home. It used to not bother me if he had to work late or if he traveled but lately I just want the three of us to be home and together all the time now!
Hope you all have a better tuesday than I am.
God Bless,
Lottie
Monday, February 15, 2010
Happy Valentines Day
We had a nice weekend. Didn't go as planned but nice the same. Dennae was going to come watch Claire on Saturday so we could go out but the snow came and we didn't want her on the roads. We did got to Olive Garden- we just took Claire. We were going to go out to eat and then the movies so at least we did get a nice meal.
Olive Garden is sort of a special place for us: it was our first date, and for our first V-day I was working as an RA so I couldn't leave the dorms and Brock picked up OG take-out so we could at least eat a nice meal together so it was sort of fitting that we did that again for this v-day.
Claire was a bit fussy this weekend- I think last week was a bit much for her- between three days of no morning naps and all the people/excitement of the preschool and then revival. She seems a bit better this morning though which is good.
I spent the day cleaning- one of those modes where its not enough to just generally pick up- I wanted to make sure everything had a place and was where it belonged.... it always amazes me how much stuff it seems we have and we don't even really like having lots of belonging... its just all the little things that accumulate.
Sweet moment of the day:Claire spent several minutes playing with a baby doll this afternoon. It was just fun to watch her.
Hope you all had a lovely Valentines Day!
\
Olive Garden is sort of a special place for us: it was our first date, and for our first V-day I was working as an RA so I couldn't leave the dorms and Brock picked up OG take-out so we could at least eat a nice meal together so it was sort of fitting that we did that again for this v-day.
Claire was a bit fussy this weekend- I think last week was a bit much for her- between three days of no morning naps and all the people/excitement of the preschool and then revival. She seems a bit better this morning though which is good.
I spent the day cleaning- one of those modes where its not enough to just generally pick up- I wanted to make sure everything had a place and was where it belonged.... it always amazes me how much stuff it seems we have and we don't even really like having lots of belonging... its just all the little things that accumulate.
Sweet moment of the day:Claire spent several minutes playing with a baby doll this afternoon. It was just fun to watch her.
Hope you all had a lovely Valentines Day!
\
Friday, February 12, 2010
Crazy week-sorry for not posting
Ok, Sorry for not posting, I do really plan to post regularly but this week got crazy!
Last weekend we spent Saturday just hanging out and I had some stuff to get ready for Sunday. Then Sunday started Revival services so we spent all day there.
Monday I subbed at Heiskell (the preschool where I worked before Claire came). They let me take Claire which is fantastic. She loves it b/c its so interesting to have new toys and people. It is hard to manage a baby and 12 four year olds but the other teachers help and Claire is so good that she makes it pretty easy. Then revival at night.
Tuesday was the same except that Brock took Claire to revival while I went to my special ed class which will keep my certificate current. (btw, only 2 more weeks to go and one assignment!)
Wednesday was the same. It was hard to work in the morning, take care of home stuff in the afternoon and then being out at night. I did a bit of cooking for the evangelists too so it was a crazy busy week for us. I do have a new found respect for working moms. At the same time, I am SOOO thankful that I get to stay home.
One of the messages during revival sort of centered on keeping our homes as a haven and I that is what I want. I could work, and I know myself enough to know that everything would get done and done fairly well b/c I am a perfectionist like that, but...I would be stressed and tired and our home would not be a place of rest and peace. I want my children and husband to feel that our home is a place of rest and a haven from the stress of the world. Thank you Brock for working so hard so that I don't have to.
Thursday was grocery shopping day and now finally Friday, just catching up on the housework and other things that needed to be done. Btw, Claire is working on a 3 hour nap which has been nice b/c I was able to do some baking, made some baby food, and cleaned the bathroom (I had to scrub the floor behind the toilet--- its my LEAST favorite job ever and it was getting bad so I HAD to do it!).
Tomorrow Brock and I are going out on a date! Dennae is going to come watch Claire and we are using some gift certificates (thank you Sandra!!) to go to Olive Garden and the movies. WOOO HOO!!
I hope you all had a good week and have a great weekend. (I will try to post but weekends are family time so it may or may not happen!- if it doesn't- Happy Valentines Day!)
Last weekend we spent Saturday just hanging out and I had some stuff to get ready for Sunday. Then Sunday started Revival services so we spent all day there.
Monday I subbed at Heiskell (the preschool where I worked before Claire came). They let me take Claire which is fantastic. She loves it b/c its so interesting to have new toys and people. It is hard to manage a baby and 12 four year olds but the other teachers help and Claire is so good that she makes it pretty easy. Then revival at night.
Tuesday was the same except that Brock took Claire to revival while I went to my special ed class which will keep my certificate current. (btw, only 2 more weeks to go and one assignment!)
Wednesday was the same. It was hard to work in the morning, take care of home stuff in the afternoon and then being out at night. I did a bit of cooking for the evangelists too so it was a crazy busy week for us. I do have a new found respect for working moms. At the same time, I am SOOO thankful that I get to stay home.
One of the messages during revival sort of centered on keeping our homes as a haven and I that is what I want. I could work, and I know myself enough to know that everything would get done and done fairly well b/c I am a perfectionist like that, but...I would be stressed and tired and our home would not be a place of rest and peace. I want my children and husband to feel that our home is a place of rest and a haven from the stress of the world. Thank you Brock for working so hard so that I don't have to.
Thursday was grocery shopping day and now finally Friday, just catching up on the housework and other things that needed to be done. Btw, Claire is working on a 3 hour nap which has been nice b/c I was able to do some baking, made some baby food, and cleaned the bathroom (I had to scrub the floor behind the toilet--- its my LEAST favorite job ever and it was getting bad so I HAD to do it!).
Tomorrow Brock and I are going out on a date! Dennae is going to come watch Claire and we are using some gift certificates (thank you Sandra!!) to go to Olive Garden and the movies. WOOO HOO!!
I hope you all had a good week and have a great weekend. (I will try to post but weekends are family time so it may or may not happen!- if it doesn't- Happy Valentines Day!)
Afterschool muffins
THese are super wonderful muffins, they are really pretty healthy and easy to make.
Afterschool Muffins (from Raisin Bran)
1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon- mix together to sprinkle on top of muffins
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 cups raisin bran
1 1/4 cup milk
1 egg*
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup chocolate chips
mix flour, sugar, salt and baking powder- set aside
in large bowl mix raisin bran and milk- let sit for a min until cereal softens.
add egg, oil and choc chips, mix well.
add flour mixture until just combined
these make great mini muffins too but the recipe says 12 muffin cups coated with non-stick spray but I always end up with more so plan on either 1 and half batches of big muffines or 1 tray of big and 1 tray of mini.
My MIL just told me the greatest egg substitute too- mix 1 tablespoon flax seed meal with 3 tablespoons water and let sit a min. - makes the sub for one egg. (I tried it in some bread today and it worked great) Gives you some extra fiber and no cholesterol!
Afterschool Muffins (from Raisin Bran)
1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon- mix together to sprinkle on top of muffins
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 cups raisin bran
1 1/4 cup milk
1 egg*
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup chocolate chips
mix flour, sugar, salt and baking powder- set aside
in large bowl mix raisin bran and milk- let sit for a min until cereal softens.
add egg, oil and choc chips, mix well.
add flour mixture until just combined
these make great mini muffins too but the recipe says 12 muffin cups coated with non-stick spray but I always end up with more so plan on either 1 and half batches of big muffines or 1 tray of big and 1 tray of mini.
My MIL just told me the greatest egg substitute too- mix 1 tablespoon flax seed meal with 3 tablespoons water and let sit a min. - makes the sub for one egg. (I tried it in some bread today and it worked great) Gives you some extra fiber and no cholesterol!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Sweet moment with Claire
Claire spent some time today playing with the shoe bench. She pulled the shoes out then tried to put them back in. It was just one of those sweet times where you watch your baby and are just amazed that God would grant you the privledge of being thier mother. I think heaven must include time where you can replay these moments and be reminded of all the sweet times with your children.
Lemon no bake creamy cheesecake
I forgot I was going to post the super easy cheesecake recipe-
18 graham crackers- finely crushed (about 2 3/4 cups) Or cheat like me and just use a graham cracker crust from the store (I had gotten one on clearance otherwise I would grind up my own crust)
to make the crust- mix the crackers with 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted melted butter and 1/4 cup sugar.
Spray an 8x8 pan with nonstick spray and press half the crust mix in, refrigerate 1 hour.
While that is working make the filling:
1 (8oz) package lite cream cheese- softened
2 cups milke (I used 1% and it was fine)
1 (3.4 oz) package instant lemon pudding ---- now notice the 3.4 oz size becuase I didn't and only got the 1 oz size and had to use regular vanilla to make up the difference- which means i can only imagine how lemony and yummy it would have been with all lemon! I also used the sugar free version which makes this dessert really not all that bad.
blend the cream cheese and 1/2 cup milk until no clumps then add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk and the pudding mix, beat 1-2 min until smooth and it thickens a bit.
pour pudding mixture over crust and sprinkle with remaining graham cracker crumbs. refrigerate at least 3 hours or until set.
Now as I stated, you can use lite cream cheese, milk and sugar free instant pudding to cut calories. also you don't have to sprinkle the remaining on the top and really you probably don't have to add sugar to the crust either- just depends on how sweet you want it.
It was super easy and very yummy! Enjoy!
18 graham crackers- finely crushed (about 2 3/4 cups) Or cheat like me and just use a graham cracker crust from the store (I had gotten one on clearance otherwise I would grind up my own crust)
to make the crust- mix the crackers with 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted melted butter and 1/4 cup sugar.
Spray an 8x8 pan with nonstick spray and press half the crust mix in, refrigerate 1 hour.
While that is working make the filling:
1 (8oz) package lite cream cheese- softened
2 cups milke (I used 1% and it was fine)
1 (3.4 oz) package instant lemon pudding ---- now notice the 3.4 oz size becuase I didn't and only got the 1 oz size and had to use regular vanilla to make up the difference- which means i can only imagine how lemony and yummy it would have been with all lemon! I also used the sugar free version which makes this dessert really not all that bad.
blend the cream cheese and 1/2 cup milk until no clumps then add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk and the pudding mix, beat 1-2 min until smooth and it thickens a bit.
pour pudding mixture over crust and sprinkle with remaining graham cracker crumbs. refrigerate at least 3 hours or until set.
Now as I stated, you can use lite cream cheese, milk and sugar free instant pudding to cut calories. also you don't have to sprinkle the remaining on the top and really you probably don't have to add sugar to the crust either- just depends on how sweet you want it.
It was super easy and very yummy! Enjoy!
Lazy Friday
So no post yesterday b/c I just didn't have the time. I did do the grocery shopping but also spent a bit of time organizing a home binder. Others have a done a great job of putting together a home management binder- with everything needed to run their homes and while mine is not much compared to what they have done I am trying to work on it. It is a basically a place to compile all the things needed in your home. Mine has mostly articles and clippings I have found, and some recipes. So in mine I have stuff like- diet plans/exercises, holiday ideas, home decor, baby articles.
I pulled most of the recipes out though and am going to keep them in an accordion file b/c I was getting too many. I clip them from magazines or any that I print. I have decided I need to start really trying new menu items. One (of the MANY!) goals of staying home was to become a better cook. Thus my goal is at least one new recipe a week. So last night instead of plan turkey chili, I made chili pie- its basically the chili with cornbread mix on top then baked. It was ok except I forgot the beans (Brock was ok with that though as he isn't a big fan of beans but I was very disappointed!). Also, I was using shredded turkey and I really think it would have been better with hamburger as the recipe called for. I also made a super easy no bake cheesecake which I will list at the bottom of this post.
So anyway, between grocery's and organizing yesterday I didn't find time for this. Today is truly a lazy Friday. Brock is working the late shift- 11-8. So we had a lazy morning, blueberry pancakes, I got a few things done while he played with Claire and now he is at work, she is still napping and I had time to have a cup of tea. It is perfect tea weather too- it's cold and rainy.
OH, big news (and I will post more about this later) but I am "getting healthy" (I don't want to say diet b/c this is a a lifestyle change) but anyway, I hit the 10 pound mark!!! It took one month but I lost the first 10 pounds. My goal is between 50-60. When I hit 50 I will be happy but 60 is like the ultimate goal.
Well, I want to crochet a bit before Claire wakes up from her nap so have a lovely Friday everyone,
God Bless,
Lottie
I pulled most of the recipes out though and am going to keep them in an accordion file b/c I was getting too many. I clip them from magazines or any that I print. I have decided I need to start really trying new menu items. One (of the MANY!) goals of staying home was to become a better cook. Thus my goal is at least one new recipe a week. So last night instead of plan turkey chili, I made chili pie- its basically the chili with cornbread mix on top then baked. It was ok except I forgot the beans (Brock was ok with that though as he isn't a big fan of beans but I was very disappointed!). Also, I was using shredded turkey and I really think it would have been better with hamburger as the recipe called for. I also made a super easy no bake cheesecake which I will list at the bottom of this post.
So anyway, between grocery's and organizing yesterday I didn't find time for this. Today is truly a lazy Friday. Brock is working the late shift- 11-8. So we had a lazy morning, blueberry pancakes, I got a few things done while he played with Claire and now he is at work, she is still napping and I had time to have a cup of tea. It is perfect tea weather too- it's cold and rainy.
OH, big news (and I will post more about this later) but I am "getting healthy" (I don't want to say diet b/c this is a a lifestyle change) but anyway, I hit the 10 pound mark!!! It took one month but I lost the first 10 pounds. My goal is between 50-60. When I hit 50 I will be happy but 60 is like the ultimate goal.
Well, I want to crochet a bit before Claire wakes up from her nap so have a lovely Friday everyone,
God Bless,
Lottie
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wacky Wednesday?
No it wasn't really wacky but Claire did not want to sleep as she normally does- although she is finally down for her afternoon nap. Wednesay's are coupon/getting ready day. It takes me a while to get my lists done and it is impossible with her awake (b/c she wants to grab at the coupons!). I start by going to thegrocerygame.com and southernsavers.com to print a list of what's on sale (these both match what is on sale with the coupons from the paper). You have to pay for the grocery game and I did actually just cancel my subscription because southernsavers does it free. The format of thegrocerygame is easier but they don't match the new dates for the penny item at Publix so it isn't really useful. The penny item is a deal at publix- on thursday (or some wednesday's depending on where you live) if you spend 10$ before coupons you get a special deal for a penny. For example this week its sugar so I will buy 10 dollars worth BEFORE coupons and get sugar for a penny. Since this deal is only available that is why I go grocery shopping on Thursdays. Anyway, after I print the lists of coupon/sales then I make my menu for the week (based if I can on what's on sale). I then pull out my coupons and get everything ready. I will post more on coupons later- such as how I organize them. For me this takes most of the day b/c as I said I can only do it when Claire is napping.
In other news- we walked today. By that I mean I pushed Claire around and up all the huge hills in our apartment complex. The hills here are huge and it is a full workout to walk them all. I also just picked up and am about to go get ready for church.
Also, funny Claire story- so most moms have a cabinet of tupperware for thier babies. Claire of course has one and she likes it- in fact she likes it so much that today she climbed IN the cupboard! It was really funny (unfortunatly the camera didn't work so I didn't get a picture) but it was great. She just looked at me like "what is so funny mommy?"!
God Bless,
Lottie
In other news- we walked today. By that I mean I pushed Claire around and up all the huge hills in our apartment complex. The hills here are huge and it is a full workout to walk them all. I also just picked up and am about to go get ready for church.
Also, funny Claire story- so most moms have a cabinet of tupperware for thier babies. Claire of course has one and she likes it- in fact she likes it so much that today she climbed IN the cupboard! It was really funny (unfortunatly the camera didn't work so I didn't get a picture) but it was great. She just looked at me like "what is so funny mommy?"!
God Bless,
Lottie
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Tuesday- laundry day
Today is laundry day. I have the first load in the dryer, one in the wash and one waiting to go in. Now maybe I am not doing enough laundry but I am confused about how some people can do laundry EVERY day? Either they are exaggerating or they are very messy! Honestly I can see where once we have more than one child the laundry would add up but those who do it every day I just don't get. Maybe that's b/c I don't want to do laundry everyday though. I don't mind it but I don't want to do it everyday. I just don't like the hanging stuff up part- I don't even mind folding, I just don't like hanging things up. So what tends to happen is that I pull out the things that need to be hung up after they are dry and lay them out but then who knows they they will actually get hung up! I just hung up clothes from last weeks laundry. I put everything else right away- I just don't like taking the time to put them on a hanger and hang them up...I know that sounds strange and lazy but that's just the way it is.
In other news, I am making Amish friendship bread today. I will post more about that in about 10 days b/c I found a way to make less of it (you make a batch but then have some left that you can give away or you have to throw it away) so I want to try it out first but if it works I will post how you do it. Today I am actually making four loaves of it b/c I am going to take some to my "exceptional child" class that I have to take to keep my teaching certificate currant. It is a sweet bread so seeing as how I am trying to loose weight I don't want it in the house! However, it is very tempting as the house smells AMAZING!! I will have to have a slice with a cup of tea later today. It is rainy and cold and the perfect day for some tea and sweet bread.
We got to skype with Grandma and Grandpa Haiderer yesterday. I am so glad they got to see Claire and she gets to see them. It's hard to be so far away from family but this way they can still get to know her. She showed them her toy bin, how she can crawl and stand up and how she loves her alphabet blocks. We spent about a half hour with them. Thank the Lord for the wonderful technology that lets us stay connected.
well, back to the laundry, bread and keeping a 10 month old entertained!
God Bless,
Lottie
In other news, I am making Amish friendship bread today. I will post more about that in about 10 days b/c I found a way to make less of it (you make a batch but then have some left that you can give away or you have to throw it away) so I want to try it out first but if it works I will post how you do it. Today I am actually making four loaves of it b/c I am going to take some to my "exceptional child" class that I have to take to keep my teaching certificate currant. It is a sweet bread so seeing as how I am trying to loose weight I don't want it in the house! However, it is very tempting as the house smells AMAZING!! I will have to have a slice with a cup of tea later today. It is rainy and cold and the perfect day for some tea and sweet bread.
We got to skype with Grandma and Grandpa Haiderer yesterday. I am so glad they got to see Claire and she gets to see them. It's hard to be so far away from family but this way they can still get to know her. She showed them her toy bin, how she can crawl and stand up and how she loves her alphabet blocks. We spent about a half hour with them. Thank the Lord for the wonderful technology that lets us stay connected.
well, back to the laundry, bread and keeping a 10 month old entertained!
God Bless,
Lottie
Monday, February 1, 2010
Basic Monday- weekly schedule
So our Monday has pretty much followed our schedule. I cleaned/organized a bit, did the shredding, organized a kitchen rack and vacuumed. Also took care of some business phone call things, Claire has napped and played and in all it has been a nice relaxing day. I should have cleaned the bathroom today but didn't get a chance b/c I really prefer to do that when Claire is napping and I was doing other things, so it will have to be done tomorrow.
I posted a basic daily schedule yesterday but also want to post our weekly schedule (this will help some of you know the best days to get a hold of us).
Monday- cleaning - picking up, the bathrooms, vacuuming.
Tuesday- Laundry and any other cleaning
Wednesay- getting ready for shopping day on thursday- this means making my list, sorting my coupons and getting them all ready to go. (more on couponing later- as I have info and also want help b/c I know I could be saving even more).
Thursday-grocery day- it takes about two hours (I go to Publix, Kroger and sometimes Walgreens). I like to go after Claire's morning nap so usually between 12:20-2:30/3 is when we end up going.
Friday- catch up day- any other things that need to be done, cleaning, getting ready for the weekend.
Saturday is flexible, it just depends what we have going on.
Sunday- Church from 9:30-2- our church does sunday school 10-11, then service 11-12, then we serve a lunch from 12-1 and then have an afternoon service from 1-2. When we get home its nap time/spend time together.
I believe that staying home should be a joy and a ministry which means I like to not be super busy all the time, the most important things I can do for Claire right now is to keep her on a schedule and to meet her needs of play and learning.
Well, off to make a salad for dinner- we are having spaghetti, salad, and breadsticks. Hope you all have a lovely Monday.
God Bless,
Lottie
I posted a basic daily schedule yesterday but also want to post our weekly schedule (this will help some of you know the best days to get a hold of us).
Monday- cleaning - picking up, the bathrooms, vacuuming.
Tuesday- Laundry and any other cleaning
Wednesay- getting ready for shopping day on thursday- this means making my list, sorting my coupons and getting them all ready to go. (more on couponing later- as I have info and also want help b/c I know I could be saving even more).
Thursday-grocery day- it takes about two hours (I go to Publix, Kroger and sometimes Walgreens). I like to go after Claire's morning nap so usually between 12:20-2:30/3 is when we end up going.
Friday- catch up day- any other things that need to be done, cleaning, getting ready for the weekend.
Saturday is flexible, it just depends what we have going on.
Sunday- Church from 9:30-2- our church does sunday school 10-11, then service 11-12, then we serve a lunch from 12-1 and then have an afternoon service from 1-2. When we get home its nap time/spend time together.
I believe that staying home should be a joy and a ministry which means I like to not be super busy all the time, the most important things I can do for Claire right now is to keep her on a schedule and to meet her needs of play and learning.
Well, off to make a salad for dinner- we are having spaghetti, salad, and breadsticks. Hope you all have a lovely Monday.
God Bless,
Lottie
Sunday, January 31, 2010
First an update on our weekend since for now pretty much anyone who reads this will know us and can use this as a way to follow us.
We have had a wonderful weekend, Saturday I did the grocery shopping (since I didn't get the chance to go on Thursday when I normally do), then made some apple/pear mash for Claire. Saturday night we went to Daniel and Dennae's to celebrate his birthday- Dennae made the most wonderful chocolate cake. Thankfully she told me in advance so I could ration my calories (as I am getting healthy this year)! Today was church and now Brock and Claire are napping and I am putzing (cleaning/this/facebook/dinner). I do enjoy the relaxed pace of Sundays.
Next I want to post our schedule- one because as a mom it helps me to see what others do, and two because I know some (especailly our family) isn't quite sure when the good times to call are.
Our basic daily schedule is as follows:
Claire wakes up at basically 7:30- give or take 10 min. so I get up with her, give her a bottle and we all have a few minutes before Brock leaves for work just before 8.
8-9 is excercising/play time. Most of you have heard me say that I have the best baby in the world- here is a great example. While I am doing my kickboxing tape she will just play. She has found her toy box and loves to stand at it and pull stuff out. She also likes to crawl over to our shoe bench and stand up there.
After excercising we eat breakfast- Claire gets baby/table food and then sometime between 9:30 and 10 she goes down for her morning nap.
While she naps I work on an cleaning/special cooking (meaning anything that needs to be done ahead of time for dinner or if I am baking or making something for church)I also talk to my sister in law at this time (more about her and the special blessing she is to me in another post).
Claire will sleep between 1.5 to 2 hours in the morning. When she gets up(around noon usually) we play until she is hungry then have some lunch. Now on grocery day this is when we go, otherwise we just hang out- play, clean, organize.
At 2 we like to watch Rachael Ray-this is the only time I really have tv on when Claire is up. That one hour is the one hour of the day where I have said that I am going to enjoy just doing nothing- it is sort of the time I claim as mine to relax b/c all I have to do is relax and play with my sweet baby!
By the end of RR Claire is ready for her afternoon nap- lately its been about 3:30-5. While she is sleeping I finish any cleaning(like laundry) and make dinner.
Thankfully Brock's schedule is really set and He is always home by 5:30 so timing dinner is pretty easy. We eat when he gets home. Then he and Claire play while I do the dishes. If you really want the best time to catch the three of us it is between 6-7 because she is talkative and playful.
7 starts bedtime- bath, diaper, bible story, bottle. Brock and I both do the bath, then I do the diaper, then he does the bible story and putting her to bed. The few minutes of him reading the bible story are the BEST moments of the day. I like to watch from the door- seeing Claire cuddled in Daddy's arm is just incredible. I enjoy my time with her but seeing that... it brings tears to my eyes!
After Claire is in bed then we do a little devotional and then relax until around 10 when we head to bed.
Later I will explain some more of the specifics about why we do some of the things we do- as I know a few of you reading this will not have children yet and it may be helpful to hear a mother explain why they do certain things.
God Bless,
Lottie
We have had a wonderful weekend, Saturday I did the grocery shopping (since I didn't get the chance to go on Thursday when I normally do), then made some apple/pear mash for Claire. Saturday night we went to Daniel and Dennae's to celebrate his birthday- Dennae made the most wonderful chocolate cake. Thankfully she told me in advance so I could ration my calories (as I am getting healthy this year)! Today was church and now Brock and Claire are napping and I am putzing (cleaning/this/facebook/dinner). I do enjoy the relaxed pace of Sundays.
Next I want to post our schedule- one because as a mom it helps me to see what others do, and two because I know some (especailly our family) isn't quite sure when the good times to call are.
Our basic daily schedule is as follows:
Claire wakes up at basically 7:30- give or take 10 min. so I get up with her, give her a bottle and we all have a few minutes before Brock leaves for work just before 8.
8-9 is excercising/play time. Most of you have heard me say that I have the best baby in the world- here is a great example. While I am doing my kickboxing tape she will just play. She has found her toy box and loves to stand at it and pull stuff out. She also likes to crawl over to our shoe bench and stand up there.
After excercising we eat breakfast- Claire gets baby/table food and then sometime between 9:30 and 10 she goes down for her morning nap.
While she naps I work on an cleaning/special cooking (meaning anything that needs to be done ahead of time for dinner or if I am baking or making something for church)I also talk to my sister in law at this time (more about her and the special blessing she is to me in another post).
Claire will sleep between 1.5 to 2 hours in the morning. When she gets up(around noon usually) we play until she is hungry then have some lunch. Now on grocery day this is when we go, otherwise we just hang out- play, clean, organize.
At 2 we like to watch Rachael Ray-this is the only time I really have tv on when Claire is up. That one hour is the one hour of the day where I have said that I am going to enjoy just doing nothing- it is sort of the time I claim as mine to relax b/c all I have to do is relax and play with my sweet baby!
By the end of RR Claire is ready for her afternoon nap- lately its been about 3:30-5. While she is sleeping I finish any cleaning(like laundry) and make dinner.
Thankfully Brock's schedule is really set and He is always home by 5:30 so timing dinner is pretty easy. We eat when he gets home. Then he and Claire play while I do the dishes. If you really want the best time to catch the three of us it is between 6-7 because she is talkative and playful.
7 starts bedtime- bath, diaper, bible story, bottle. Brock and I both do the bath, then I do the diaper, then he does the bible story and putting her to bed. The few minutes of him reading the bible story are the BEST moments of the day. I like to watch from the door- seeing Claire cuddled in Daddy's arm is just incredible. I enjoy my time with her but seeing that... it brings tears to my eyes!
After Claire is in bed then we do a little devotional and then relax until around 10 when we head to bed.
Later I will explain some more of the specifics about why we do some of the things we do- as I know a few of you reading this will not have children yet and it may be helpful to hear a mother explain why they do certain things.
God Bless,
Lottie
Friday, January 29, 2010
I really enjoy learning and reading other's blogs but I also need a way to keep family and friends updated and so I am going to try this blogging thing. I want to keep track of our family as we grow- thus the idea of sharing the heartbeat of our family (in the sense of just sharing the mundane/funny/interesting parts of life but also of sharing the things that are important to us). I like the idea of a place to write about what I am learning as a wife, mother and most importantly a Godly woman. When we found out we were expecting I felt this whole new calling to become the best wife and mother I can be and I want a place to keep track of that journey. I hope that our family and friends will enjoy reading about our life, but I also hope that those who read this will do a few things for us:
- I hope it will keep me on track, I want the accountability that this could bring
-I hope that as I grow I will learn things that I can pass on to others, so I hope for them that they learn from me.
- I hope others will use this as a place to teach me!
God Bless,
The Haiderer's
- I hope it will keep me on track, I want the accountability that this could bring
-I hope that as I grow I will learn things that I can pass on to others, so I hope for them that they learn from me.
- I hope others will use this as a place to teach me!
God Bless,
The Haiderer's
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