Monday: BBQ Mini Meatloves, Garlic Mashers, Broccoli
Tuesday: Chili
Wednesday: Balsamic Chicken with Polenta
Thursday: Grilled Steaks, Roasted Potatoes, Cauliflower
Friday: Pizza!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
Monday: BBQ Mini Meatloves, Garlic Mashers, Broccoli
Tuesday: Chili
Wednesday: Balsamic Chicken with Polenta
Thursday: Grilled Steaks, Roasted Potatoes, Cauliflower
Friday: Pizza!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Taking the training wheels off. . . .
Well yesterday I was amazed that my little girl started riding her bike without the training wheels. Bittersweet to say the least and my heart breaks at the idea of her growing up so fast. She is the sweetest, most gentle soul I've ever known in my life, reminds me of my husband in many ways. Who knows, maybe we all start off that way as little girls, I just don't remember that innocence and free spirit without burden.
It's quite a funny little story. Yesterday, Adrianna wanted so badly to play with friends outside but nobody was home. She saw an older girl riding a motorized scooter thing, this to be exact:
...and she asked me to ask the girl if she could ride it. I of course told her no, she doesn't even know the girl and it's for older kids. I explained that she needs to learn how to ride her own bike without training wheels to learn how to balance before being able to get one of those. I left to run an errand and within the hour I was gone, I can back and daddy taught her to ride without the training wheels...she was SO PROUD! Of course, the first thing she said, after "mommy did you see me?!" was,"now can we go buy one of the electric ones". Uh Oh! One day, was all I said simply and am so grateful she accepted that answer, for now at least. :o)
Anyway, I was watching her ride today after school and felt full of questions. I brought my Bible outside since the weather was so nice I thought maybe that'll get me to sit down and read, but it didn't. Instead I sat and reflected. I thought about the last 2+ years of my faith and how it has grown. I thought about all the people that have come into my life and each gift they had to offer to me. My friend Sabrina, her and her husband have shown us what Hope looks like and how God can use people like them to show to us. My friend Amanda shows me what faith looks like and the strong need there is for women like us to grab onto it and not let go. And Erika, well she has shown me Love, genuine and true love something I'll cherish forever! And never mind all of my other friends that I've grown closer and closer to and all the love, support and guidance they've all given me. Through the women I've mentioned, more and more relationships have blossomed and I can't imagine life without them. There is nothing like having a neighbor right across the street that you KNOW is there for you anytime, anyday. Given the opportunity to live in this house has opened that door and nurtured that relationship for sure. God has surrounded me by women, strong, supportive, sweet, understanding, driven, all different types with all unique qualities and gifts.
Now that's all the great stuff, the relationships, the people....I love them all! What's tough for me is the expectations I set on myself with where my faith should be. What my relationship with God is supposed to look like.
Here's some honesty...
I don't like referring to Jesus as "Christ", it just doesn't sound personal or respectful if that makes any sense, which I'm sure if you are a "seasoned Christian" it doesn't. But I grew up hearing his name used when you are pissed off or stub your toe or something, seriously.
I have a very hard time listening to people talk about how much they love God when I don't see them love people. Isn't that what God is? Relationship, people, love? How can I take them serious? Why am I more afraid of them than anyone else?
I haven't even been baptized yet (well not since I was 1mth old in a Catholic Church) so what does that mean for me? Do I do it because I want to be taken seriously? I believe that Jesus died for our sins and wonder what does being dunk under water in front of a bunch of people mean? Probably a dumb question I know.
I feel awkard around Christians when they refer to "when they were saved" and so on. It's almost like I want to ask, so when you were baptized and accepted Jesus, your whole life changed? Are you really transformed? Do we ever get so see what being transformed looks like or is it a process that takes our entire lives? I usually feel like I don't belong in those conversations and am probably the reject in the group for sure!
I can't even completely be myself around many of the people I know without the fear that me stubbing a toe (just happened a few minutes ago, hence the toe reference again) and saying F*^#! wouldn't SHOCK THE HELL out of them or make them uncomfortable around me, judge me, etc.. etc...
I've experienced culture shock since I've been in Texas. People are sugary sweet, yes. People are polite, yes. But truly I'd rather be around an up front, tell it like it is, light a cigarette and not even care kind of person, because at least I know they are real. I'm not afraid of those types of people. I kind of got off on a tangent a bit here so let me get back on track....
I want a closer relationship with God. I want to rely COMPLETELY on him. I do know that the fear and anxiety would be lifted if I did rely on Him more. I just don't know how to do that. I am definitely that type of person that when I get excited about something, just like I did with Christianity, I will jump right on board, here I am a sponge ready to absorb it all. I get caught up with the excitement of it all. YES I'll be involved in community stuff. YES I'll do whatever it takes to meet people and grow our church so we can do even bigger and better things. YES I'll read my Bible, host a Bible Study, make meals, have meals with people, do anything that is pretty much directly asked of me. But then there is the down time, the moments when I'm alone when I ask myself, "Where are you in your faith?" And that is such an important question for me to ponder and work through.
I have had my own set of Training Wheels on now for over 2 years and I think it's about time I take mine off too. As I watch Adrianna's fearless and determined look on her face while she's riding without them and then the glow of Glory while she pushes back on her breaks to get off the bike, I yearn for that. I feel like a child in my faith and am amazed at how much I learn from my own sweet little ones!
I don't know how else to end this post accept just by asking for prayers. I want to move on, I want to grow but want to do it "genuinely". I don't ever want to be a phony Christian. I don't ever want people to think I am something I'm not. I want it but also want to be true to myself...
I wonder what that looks like...
It's quite a funny little story. Yesterday, Adrianna wanted so badly to play with friends outside but nobody was home. She saw an older girl riding a motorized scooter thing, this to be exact:
...and she asked me to ask the girl if she could ride it. I of course told her no, she doesn't even know the girl and it's for older kids. I explained that she needs to learn how to ride her own bike without training wheels to learn how to balance before being able to get one of those. I left to run an errand and within the hour I was gone, I can back and daddy taught her to ride without the training wheels...she was SO PROUD! Of course, the first thing she said, after "mommy did you see me?!" was,"now can we go buy one of the electric ones". Uh Oh! One day, was all I said simply and am so grateful she accepted that answer, for now at least. :o)Anyway, I was watching her ride today after school and felt full of questions. I brought my Bible outside since the weather was so nice I thought maybe that'll get me to sit down and read, but it didn't. Instead I sat and reflected. I thought about the last 2+ years of my faith and how it has grown. I thought about all the people that have come into my life and each gift they had to offer to me. My friend Sabrina, her and her husband have shown us what Hope looks like and how God can use people like them to show to us. My friend Amanda shows me what faith looks like and the strong need there is for women like us to grab onto it and not let go. And Erika, well she has shown me Love, genuine and true love something I'll cherish forever! And never mind all of my other friends that I've grown closer and closer to and all the love, support and guidance they've all given me. Through the women I've mentioned, more and more relationships have blossomed and I can't imagine life without them. There is nothing like having a neighbor right across the street that you KNOW is there for you anytime, anyday. Given the opportunity to live in this house has opened that door and nurtured that relationship for sure. God has surrounded me by women, strong, supportive, sweet, understanding, driven, all different types with all unique qualities and gifts.
Now that's all the great stuff, the relationships, the people....I love them all! What's tough for me is the expectations I set on myself with where my faith should be. What my relationship with God is supposed to look like.
Here's some honesty...
I don't like referring to Jesus as "Christ", it just doesn't sound personal or respectful if that makes any sense, which I'm sure if you are a "seasoned Christian" it doesn't. But I grew up hearing his name used when you are pissed off or stub your toe or something, seriously.
I have a very hard time listening to people talk about how much they love God when I don't see them love people. Isn't that what God is? Relationship, people, love? How can I take them serious? Why am I more afraid of them than anyone else?
I haven't even been baptized yet (well not since I was 1mth old in a Catholic Church) so what does that mean for me? Do I do it because I want to be taken seriously? I believe that Jesus died for our sins and wonder what does being dunk under water in front of a bunch of people mean? Probably a dumb question I know.
I feel awkard around Christians when they refer to "when they were saved" and so on. It's almost like I want to ask, so when you were baptized and accepted Jesus, your whole life changed? Are you really transformed? Do we ever get so see what being transformed looks like or is it a process that takes our entire lives? I usually feel like I don't belong in those conversations and am probably the reject in the group for sure!
I can't even completely be myself around many of the people I know without the fear that me stubbing a toe (just happened a few minutes ago, hence the toe reference again) and saying F*^#! wouldn't SHOCK THE HELL out of them or make them uncomfortable around me, judge me, etc.. etc...
I've experienced culture shock since I've been in Texas. People are sugary sweet, yes. People are polite, yes. But truly I'd rather be around an up front, tell it like it is, light a cigarette and not even care kind of person, because at least I know they are real. I'm not afraid of those types of people. I kind of got off on a tangent a bit here so let me get back on track....
I want a closer relationship with God. I want to rely COMPLETELY on him. I do know that the fear and anxiety would be lifted if I did rely on Him more. I just don't know how to do that. I am definitely that type of person that when I get excited about something, just like I did with Christianity, I will jump right on board, here I am a sponge ready to absorb it all. I get caught up with the excitement of it all. YES I'll be involved in community stuff. YES I'll do whatever it takes to meet people and grow our church so we can do even bigger and better things. YES I'll read my Bible, host a Bible Study, make meals, have meals with people, do anything that is pretty much directly asked of me. But then there is the down time, the moments when I'm alone when I ask myself, "Where are you in your faith?" And that is such an important question for me to ponder and work through.
I have had my own set of Training Wheels on now for over 2 years and I think it's about time I take mine off too. As I watch Adrianna's fearless and determined look on her face while she's riding without them and then the glow of Glory while she pushes back on her breaks to get off the bike, I yearn for that. I feel like a child in my faith and am amazed at how much I learn from my own sweet little ones!
I don't know how else to end this post accept just by asking for prayers. I want to move on, I want to grow but want to do it "genuinely". I don't ever want to be a phony Christian. I don't ever want people to think I am something I'm not. I want it but also want to be true to myself...
I wonder what that looks like...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Nesting, Organizing, Crafting, Couponing, OHMY!
I guess that's what this stage of pregnancy is all about! LOL April is all about Easter, spring crafts, Christopher's Birthday party along with baby planning!!
I have decided since I have 3 full months before our little girl arrives, I will work on each of their bedrooms month by month. Adrianna's is easy, just have to paint. Christopher's, well that's another story since we are doing a superhero room and that's SO out of my league! Thank God for a superhero geek that's such a great friend of ours....looking to him for designing - LOL! Then there is our sweet baby girl's room, I'm saving her's for last after my baby shower to see what is left to do in there. That also gives me time to make a canvas or two, a bowmaker and figure out how her room will be put together.
So this is my plan:
March:
Just finish up painting the downstairs and get curtains for the kitchen. The rest of decor will be on hold and we aren't working on painting the upstairs for now either. I do have a cool idea for the kids' bathroom, but that will have to wait,not in budget. :o)
* Have a garage Sale
April:
* Adrianna's Room: Paint
* Christopher's birthday party: Baseball theme, decide on decor, cake and location
* Easter Baskets: I'm thinking of doing beach like themes this year. They both need new swimsuits so I'm going to do something like this and stuff it with swimming stuff:
May:
* Christopher's room: Paint, work on wall decor, buy some shelving (thank God it's garage sale season!)
* Start planning my freezer dinner stockpile for when baby arrives.
* Baby Shower!!
June:
* Baby's room: Paint, decorate and buy anything else needed that I didn't borrow or get from my shower.
* Cook and Bake away to freeze for when baby arrives.
That's a rough draft for now. :o)
I have decided since I have 3 full months before our little girl arrives, I will work on each of their bedrooms month by month. Adrianna's is easy, just have to paint. Christopher's, well that's another story since we are doing a superhero room and that's SO out of my league! Thank God for a superhero geek that's such a great friend of ours....looking to him for designing - LOL! Then there is our sweet baby girl's room, I'm saving her's for last after my baby shower to see what is left to do in there. That also gives me time to make a canvas or two, a bowmaker and figure out how her room will be put together.
So this is my plan:
March:
Just finish up painting the downstairs and get curtains for the kitchen. The rest of decor will be on hold and we aren't working on painting the upstairs for now either. I do have a cool idea for the kids' bathroom, but that will have to wait,not in budget. :o)
* Have a garage Sale
April:
* Adrianna's Room: Paint
* Christopher's birthday party: Baseball theme, decide on decor, cake and location
* Easter Baskets: I'm thinking of doing beach like themes this year. They both need new swimsuits so I'm going to do something like this and stuff it with swimming stuff:
May:
* Christopher's room: Paint, work on wall decor, buy some shelving (thank God it's garage sale season!)
* Start planning my freezer dinner stockpile for when baby arrives.
* Baby Shower!!
June:
* Baby's room: Paint, decorate and buy anything else needed that I didn't borrow or get from my shower.
* Cook and Bake away to freeze for when baby arrives.
That's a rough draft for now. :o)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Half way through + 33 lbs!
Well, here I am, not the most flattering picture but at least my makeup and hair were actually done! This was on our date night during our marriage weekend.
20 WEEKS - - - - HALFWAY THERE!
33 POUNDS HEAVIER SO FAR...LOL
20 WEEKS - - - - HALFWAY THERE!
33 POUNDS HEAVIER SO FAR...LOL
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Adrianna's FIRST sleepover with her BFF!!!
Finally, Kylie had her first sleep over here and it was a BLAST! They always refer to themselves as "SISTER" --- I LOVE IT!
Adrianna's School Stuff
TEACHER GIFT HANDSANITIZER & CHOCOLATES (we made it with scrapbooking stuff, blocked the teacher's name hence the pink bubbles! LOL)
MADE CUPCAKES TO BRING TO HER CLASS PARTY . . .
MADE CUPCAKES TO BRING TO HER CLASS PARTY . . .
THE FRIDAY BEFORE HER BIRTHDAY PARTY
RECYCLE PROJECT
100 DAY PROJECT
(USED 100 BEANS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE PLATES SHE WAS GIVEN)
(USED 100 BEANS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE PLATES SHE WAS GIVEN)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
I found some good clearance meat this week along with lots of fresh veggies CHEAP! YAY!
Happy Monday!
Mon: Crockpot BBQ Pork Loin (Homemade Gourmet spices, yum!), sauteed zucchini, brown rice
Tue: Pulled Pork Sandwiches with a fresh broccoli salad
Wed: Pasta CiCi (pasta and chick peas) with salad (adding beans, veggies and feta)
Thu: Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken with Carmalized Carrots
Fri: Leftovers
Sat: Dinner with friends
Sun: Community Meal for Church
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