Menu Plan Monday

With Chris in Denver at an opening for the next two 10 days this mama is keeping it simple! We are beginning our first week using our FIAR curriculum and studying the book The Story About Ping. I thought it would be fun for the kids and I since we all love to cook to go with an Asian theme Mon-Fri this week!  Adrianna checked out a Chinese cookbook and this is what we all decided on:

Monday: Shrimp Springrolls, fresh orange slices
Tuesday: Chicken Porridge
Wednesday: Pork Lo Mein
Thursday: Orange Chicken in Crockpot (Family favorite, it's awesome!)
Friday: Hot Dogs from Around the World --- China
Saturday: Breakfast for Dinner
Sunday: Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Monday: Long Noodles with chicken
Tuesday: Mini Fried Eggrolls
Wednesday: Salad, Fruit, Won Ton Soup
Thursday: Muffin Tin Lunch
Friday: Lunchbox for Field Trip
Saturday & Sunday: PB& J's and Turkey Sandwiches with chips

STOP the INSANITY!!!!!!!

Well, I did it!  I admitted to my husband, sister and best friend that I HAVE A PROBLEM! I have been overeating......NOT taking care of my body.....binging.....stress eating......barely being active, and most important - - - NOT CARING that I'm doing it.

There has been so much stress in my life that I have felt I don't have any mental energy to put into my "healthy lifestyle".  When I'm eating salmon for lunch, veggie omelettes for breakfast and double veggies/no starch at dinner....THAT is when I'm in my "happy place".

Chex mix, cookies, chocolate bars....those are NOT my "happy foods".


I know this.


What is my problem?


I *KNOW* better!


It's time to STOP THE INSANITY!!!

My sister came home the other night and saw me in a loose shirt and yoga pants and her words hit me, HIT ME HARD.....

"G, don't do this!" (sis)

"Do what?" (me)

"Everytime I've seen you lately you are wearing baggy shirts, yoga pants and now you bought three shirts that are loose fitting.....this is how you dress when you feel subconscious, when you are not happy with your body.  STOP IT!" (sis)

So, after that I confessed to Chris how I'm binge eating, drinking 8 cups of coffee a day, maybe ONE cup of water, barely exercising and HATING it!  I confessed to Kim the exact thing this morning so I have no more excuses.

Time to get back on track.

I give myself grace.

I can only do so much at a time. BUT I know that if I don't put myself first, things will start to get ugly.  My mood controls the environment of my home....YES, I have that power.

This will be my  Monday.....

Here's to accountability!

Where are the Homeschool Posts?

Ha!  Yes, I'm hoping to get posting about our homeschool journey soon.  It's going great!  The transition has gone way smoother than I anticipated.  We are finished with our 3rd week today and after watching them and learning from them, I *think* we found our groove. I was set up sort of "peace mealing" it together, using some curriculum recommended from friends, continuing with some notebooks from their public school, online stuff, and found that it wasn't working for us.

I needed to feel confident in my curriculum decision.  Enter.....FIVE IN A ROW (FIAR)....I think this is going to work well for ALL the kids!  Adrianna will start with us at level one too and we'll take it as it comes with moving up. I'm sticking with our Grammar choice and switching both kids to Math U See. This is going to be GREAT for them!  They are both kinesthetic learners just like me!  Finding this was HUGE for me! Can't wait for next week.

We are finding our place in the HS world and a big weight has been lifted from my chest in being "okay" with not doing it like everyone else.  We are not doing a Bible study(yet).  I'm not doing Creation Based Science. We are starting of minimalists and adding a little as we go.  Everything isn't set up all pretty and perfect.  I don't feel 100% organized.  I go with the flow alot easier than I thought I would.

This is life.

It is beautiful.

Last August, we stepped into unfamiliar territory.  We left our one and only church. We moved forward with homeschool plans. We opened ourselves up to the opportunity to pursue something different than we were doing.  We admitted things out loud that made us vulnerable and our hearts open for hurt and pain.  Our faith has been in a tough place to be honest.  But through it all, I have known the thing God wanted from me is to BE STILL.  I have been obedient. I am still trying my best to be patient and faithful as we move forward on some major life decisions in the next couple of weeks.

My focus is on the one thing I've wished for my entire life, "a family", my family.

I received a message from a friend.  He's my old bootcamp instructor and while I loved bootcamp, I needed to go in a different direction.  What's amazing is that I know the connections made are always made for a reason.  He said this so well I had to post it on my blog to refer back to as a reminder:

Ma'am, understand this...the way you desire your life to be is only achievable through faith and action. That means you can do this.

Fear is going to be part of the journey. Embrace it with the undying conviction that you are willing to go all in and design your OWN life.

Along the way, you will attract everyone and everything that is supposed be in your life. You don't have to judge it, question it or even think about it.

As long as you know you are making your highest choices like: doing what you know is best for your kids (homeschooling), providing tremendous value and service to others (restaurant and the other blessed things you do), practicing your faith and spiritual walk (your way), and growing stronger with your friends and family that support you (the others will weed themselves out) - then you're on the right path.

I am so "WOWed" by this message and thankful for knowing people that want to invest in me just because.

I *will* be blogging soon about HS stuff.....right now, we are trying to figure out other "life" stuff!

Menu Plan Monday

Lunches

Monday:  Downtown Austin Lunch with Daddy

Tuesday:  PB&J

Wednesday:  Pasta & Beans

Thursday:  Muffin Tin Lunches

Friday:  Playdate at Chick Fil A

Dinners

Monday: Meatloaf

Tuesday: Salad

Wednesday: Pizza

Thursday:  White Chicken Chili

Friday:  French Dip Sandwiches

Saturday:  Date Night

Sunday:  Lasagna Rollups

Freezer Cooking

Life is SO much easier when you take some time out to freezer cook!  Here are my plans for this week to get me through 2-3 weeks!  I LOVE Money Saving Mom....she saves me time, energy and money for sure!

Chicken Breast baked and diced to freeze in 1lb portions.

Ground Turkey to season and fry up in 1lb portions.

Waffles, enough for 2 weeks.

Wheat bread for the week.

Homemade breadsticks in the bread machine.

Homemade pizza rolls using a batch of dough from above.

Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Triple batch of homemade spaghetti sauce for freezer. (3 Sundays' worth!)


Would love to also make....

Chocolate Chip cookie dough

Zucchini Bread

Banana Bread

We will see how our week goes! LOL

Menu Plan Monday

With Week 1 of Homeschooling under my belt (YAY!), I am feeling SUPER, and I know the key to a successful week is preparation and organization.  This is pretty much how I operate anyway, but making sure I am more disciplined with it myself is now KEY! So, I'm ready for a great week 2!

Dinner:

Monday: Chicken Quesadillas

Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Italian Wedding Soup (from freezer)

Friday: Baked Tilapia, rice & veggies

Saturday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn

Sunday: Pasta Primavera with Sausage

Lunches:

Monday: PB& J, banana slices, yogurt

Tuesday:  Calzones

Wednesday:  Hot Dogs, Sweet Potato Fries

Thursday: Muffin Tin Lunches

Friday: Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

Words to Live By

I just saw this on a friend's Facebook status and I needed to put it somewhere I can refer back to!  With so many decisions to be made in our lives right now, these ARE Words to Live By!


Words to Live By –The Holstee Manifesto 

This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often.
If you don’t like something, change it.
If you don’t like your job, quit.
If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV.
If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.
Stop over-analyzing, life is simple. All emotions are beautiful.
When you eat, appreciate every last bite.
Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences.
Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them.
TRAVEL OFTEN; getting lost will help you find yourself.
Some opportunities come only once; seize them.
Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating.
Life is short. Live your dream and wear your passion.


The only limit is the one you set yourself!

Menu Plan Monday

Well, let my "normal" begin!!!  I can't say what most of my friends are, "Winter Break is over, Back to our routine!". Not this time around! My kids aren't going "back" to school, nope, they are home with ME!  I couldn't be more excited than I am today!

So, we start a "new routine" this week. Not sure of what it is. I have a sort of plan, but a routine doesn't become routine until you're doing it for a while, LOL! While I've pushed bedtime a tiny bit later, sleeping in a tiny bit later, there are some things that must stay the same!

Organization. Is. Key.

Menu plan is up, not just dinner, but lunch too!  I usually do both but got lazy after Thanksgiving break with the lunch planning.  But, here we are, back at it!

Happy Monday Friends!  Have a wonderful week!!

2013, REALLY???????

Am I really turning 37 on Sunday????  Yes, I am!  As I look back over my 36th year, it truly has been a WONDERFUL year!  I had some major heartache but lots of JOY and probably some of my very BEST memories as well!  So, what DID 2012 look like for me? Here we go...........

* Painting with a Twist 1/11 - – - kicked off the year and created my own canvas!  Kim had the idea and it was Awesome! This was a first for me!

* Lucia di Lammermoor Opera 2/3 - – - Celebrated Chris’s 45th birthday with Kim and Brian at their first opera! FUN! I can't find a pic of Chris and I and it's driving me crazy! LOL....will update...I hope!

* Sullivan’s Steakhouse & Dancing Downtown 2/24 – - –We went downtown for a fancy dinner and a night of drinking and dancing to celebrate Kim turning the FABULOUS 4-0!  The four of us stayed at the Marriott downtown and it took 2 full days to recover….good times!

* Cirque du Soleil “Quidam” 3/4 – - – Adrianna and I went with Rebecca and Ashley to our first ever show! IT WAS INCREDIBLE!! Adrianna LOVED it!

* Cameron Park Zoo 3/10  – - – Kids had so much fun --It was our first time! We met up with the Searses too!

* Went ziplining with Kim during Women's Retreat....it ROCKED!!! Can you say "Adrenaline Junkie"???? yep, that's me!

* Adrianna surprised us by stepping forward to accept Jesus in her precious heart!

* Christopher graduated Kindergarten! June 2012

* Colorado Trip 6/5 --- What can I say, AMAZING!!!!  This trip was a trigger for ALL the change that came after!

* Each of our "Interpretations" of our trip to the mountains...

* Watching the kids play with a worm for 30 MINUTES!!! Talking, discussing, laughing, and eventually killing it on accident....

* I had such a GREAT garden turnout this summer!!!!  Cucumbers, squash, peppers, herbs galore!  Even tried my hand at canning....not too bad!! 

* Mayfield Park 7/10 – - – Went with Mom and the kids, our first time with the peacocks...they LOVED it!

"I have a Peacock Feather Butt too!"

* Our Annual Dress Like a Cow day at Chick Fil A.....what fun it was this year with Nana!

 * Adrianna Bridged from a Brownie to a Junior Girl Scout! 7/14

*Went for a visit to Grandpa and Grandma's house and went to our first Luau! Adrianna even volunteered to participate on stage!!!

* Adrianna became a 4th grader and Christopher a 1st grader! Shannon and I put together our second back to school pizza party at the splash pad! 

* Adrianna started wearing a bra, EVERYDAY. *sigh*

* Along with that came "The Talk"....went fine, kept it scientific, LOL Thank God Chris has to do the next one with Christopher when the time comes! Ha!

* Christopher lost his first tooth 8/23

* We achieved our goal of eating out more with our Foodie Friends last year!!  Sushi, Greek, Italian, Asian, Food Trailers, even participated in a fun Supper club for 6 months!

* Went to have Greek Food with The Valentines and then downtown to the Elephant Room for some Jazz.....LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!!!

* We went with Brian and Kim to their first Ballet, Taming of the Shrew! Ha, so fitting for our hubbies....LMAO!

* We started a Friday Night Pizza tradition and stuck to it! We even rubbed off on our best foodie friends and have them making pizza dough!!! Chris makes awesome dough and EVEN perfected his Italian Bread recipe!!!! I LOVE him!!!

* We made our own pasta, ONCE..... maybe we'll try again in 2013! LOL

* Made my first Terrarium with the kids!  Thanks for the idea Nana!

* Sofia got her first Mani/Pedi in Brownsville 8/12

* I officially became a MAC wearing woman!  Bought it in Oct 2011 and actually bought more when I was running low in 2012....this skin is needing better makeup now, LOL

* Favorite Perfume of 2012....

* Mom and I took the kids to their first "Cupcake Wars Event" at HEB and they loved it!!! These were my favorite!

* Saw my first 3D movie with the kids....

* Sofia made her first stick family 10/3/12 Mommy Daddy and Fifi

* Family Pillow Fight.....I peed myself laughing so hard!!!

* Adrianna hosted her first Spa Party....now that is one we will repeat, FUN!

*Tried Flax Milk....YUM!

* Got hooked on Greens and Whey along with my Green Smoothies!  Learned LOTS of great recipes!

* Bought my first Juicer!  LOVE Beet Juice!!

* Found this earlier last year and it has become my favorite! Well, 2nd to Chris's homemade garlic hummus of course! LOL

* Made Bubble Tea for the first time with the kids, they were NOT a fan!

* Learned to make REALLY GOOD SOUPS from scratch!! Just like my mom and mother in law!  Mixing anything and everything from the pantry and fridge!

* Tried my hand at Bootcamp and Paleo.....just wasn't a fit for me!  BUT I did gain confidence in my own physical strength and gained TONS of knowledge in clean eating along with learning LOTS of new recipes!!

* Christopher had his very first surgery!  Goodbye Adenoids! 9/28

* Chris also had Sinus surgery a month after Christopher , which was THE scariest thing I've ever went through, even more scary than the C-Sections...seriously, HUGE test of my faith.  Thanks to the love and support of the people closest to me and thanks to God, we both made it through that experience...my poor hubby!!

* Sofia had her first trip to Build A Bear for her birthday!  Out of all three kids, she is my stuffed animal child! LOVES them!

Fifi and "Fluffy" 7/6/12

* Being told you are the World's Best Mom is priceless!!!

* Adrianna started piano lessons and she is GREAT!!!! She rocked the recital 12/20

* These shirts were the trigger for my "Mama's So Crafty" Facebook page which helped me earn our Christmas shopping money this year!!!! Sold about 75 shirts total between Thanksgiving and Christmas!! So blessed!

* Adrianna got her first sewing machine for Christmas and made her first scarf! She has come into her own with her crafting....she's unstoppable!!!  Duct tape queen too!

 * We hosted our annual Thanksgiving Dinner with Photo Props this year! LOL

* Made my first pair of PJ pants and first circle skirt!!  I had such fun sewing this fall/winter....can't wait to play some more!!

* Strung popcorn and cranberries for the first time! It was a Grandma's first time too....will be a tradition now for sure!

We hosted our annual Christmas Eve Feast and as usual it was full of good food, wine and I had a BLAST with Ruth and Kim....what a great memory for me and for the cousins that were able to be here together! 

This is going to be ONE HELL OF A YEAR......FULL of change, challenges, excitement, joy, happiness and LOTS more memories!!!  I set small, simple goals last year, stayed on track, followed my heart and succeeded in moving towards the LIFE CHANGE Chris and I are both ready for......here's to my 37th year!!! May it be a HEALTHY and FUN one!!