planning

A couple of weeks ago I got the idea from a friend to start menu planning - not just supper but breakfast lunch and supper.  Can I just say that this new little area of planning in my life has made a huge difference.  Not just for me but for everybody.  Tonight right after I posted the menu for the week up on the fridge the kids were all flocked to it - Nathan reading out what we were having to eat this week.  It was kind of fun to watch!!

this photo is from a couple of week ago

So what do I do - how do I do it?  When I first started doing this a couple of weeks ago I just made up things to eat and then made a list and my sweet hubs went to the grocery store.  Yes I have the best husband ever because he usually does the grocery shopping - yep he's a keeper.  Anyway I digress.  Well the next week I decided I would check what was in the freezer and what we had on hand and then I made up my menu.  DP had also suggested I check Southern Savers to see what was on sale and what coupons were out now to help plan out the menu.  Now I think I have it down to a science at least for me.  DP checks Southern Savers and gives me a list of whats on sale (yes I know I am spoiled - he is a keeper) then I take that list plus what we already have on hand and make a menu - type it out, print it up and stick it to the fridge.  I do this on Saturday afternoon or evening and we are ready for the week.  I usually don't plan out meals on Saturdays b/c its our laid back day and Sunday morning I try to do something quick and easy since we are kind of busy in the morning.  Having all this planned out has been so helpful!!  This is whats on the menu this week: (no judging) :-)

cereal bars / leftover chicken biscuits / cereal/ monkey bread / eggs n biscuits / baked french toast

leftovers / hot ham n cheese crescents carrots / sandwiches chips yogurt / hot dogs french fries apples / sandwiches chips grapes / chicken nuggets oranges 

leftovers / BBQ chicken veggies / leftovers / pizza / taco salad corn / leftovers or pizza

In all seriousness I don't always eat what the kids are eating at lunch and breakfast after all they are still young lads who can still enjoy hot dogs and pb&j's without worrying!!  I am reading this book right now Trim Healthy Mama.  Once I finish it up maybe I will give it a review.  So far I am enjoying learning about how our bodies process food and how to plan accordingly so I can be a "trim healthy mama" who cooks and plans well for her family.  Happy planning!!

Birthday Overload coming our way!

We have 4 birthdays coming up over the course of just the next two and a half weeks!!  Yikes!! 

Tonight a "Jake" cake was underway to celebrate some cute littles of mine.  Do they have to grow up??

this kiss

In the world of child-rearing reaching milestones is HUGE.  In the world of adoption reaching milestones is even BIGGER.  

Just recently our sweet little princess started coming up to us and giving us kisses all on her own.  This is such a priceless gift.  To think that just a little over a year ago she didn't even know how to show affection is beyond me.  

Here is a sweet picture capturing such a sweet moment with mommy. Oh how I love her so!! 

AWANA time

Look what started back tonight. I have some new AWANA clubbers. Praying Gods word penetrates their hearts.

5 things I learned taking 5 children on vacation.....

We had such a good time and I have lots of pictures but I am working on a photo editor so it will be easier to load - so check back I will try and get them up.  However in the meantime I had to write down the five things I learned about taking 5 kids on vacation.  These are not in any particular order as they are all equally important learned lessons.

1. Pack light - which I did - I fit all three of us girls in this one duffle bag - including shoes...

I thought I was doing good.  Even the boys only had a small sports bag for their things.  Well all you really need is bathing suits, underwear a play outfit and a nice outfit - they wore the same thing every day.  And again I didn't pack that much!!!

2.  My mini van can hold way more than I ever gave it credit for - I don't know how we managed to have more than we came with because all we really brought home were the extra groceries and seashells but our van was on overload - and she can take it!!   

3.  NEVER and I mean NEVER go family grocery shopping.... David usually always runs to the grocery store while I unpack and get us settled, we have already planned a menu and he likes to go in and get out.  He thought it might be fun if I went along too this time since I never usually go.  IT WAS NOT FUN.  We both learned a valuable lesson that day - if at all possible do not take 7 people to the grocery store together.  We lost a whole day of vacation...or at least it felt like that :-)

4.  We can count to 5 million - I am sure we did it- always in groups of five.  You know 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 yep they are all here. 

5.  Reading material is no longer necessary on vacation - there is NO time for it.  I once was able to read two or three books on vacation - for now that is a thing of the past I barely got a few chapters read.  

All that aside - I would not trade our time or memories for anything.  Even now that we are home I will just think of something funny and bust out laughing - that is what vacation is really all about - enjoying every moment - even the crazy ones!!  

So blessed - full heart!!