its been awhile...

I haven't posted in forever! We have been dealing with sickness and are finally feeling better so I am trying to plan my menu. Its really hard sometimes to stay healthy, cook different things, and cook something I really want to eat. Tonight is going to be an easy night (not so healthy) because I have to go the grocery store before dinner.

Monday - Ham Steak , Mac 'n Cheese, Salad
Tuesday - Taco Soup
Wednesday - Baked Flounder, Rice, Stir Fry Veggies
Thursday - Meatloaf, Mashed Cauliflower, Green Beans
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Lemon Garlic Chicken, Parsley Potatoes, Salad
Sunday - Baked Spaghetti, Salad

Hopefully this will leave some leftovers for next Monday as well!

such a blessing

Thursday night has become such a blessing to me. Why? Because of a beautiful group of women who I have been studying the bible with in such an open, honest, supportive and encouraging environment. The group has  helped to keep me accountable to reading the word and for that I am thankful. We started in James, read Colossians, and are now reading Galatians. Tonight we are going to be looking at Galatians 3 and I am really looking forward to it. In this chapter I am reminded that it is by faith that I am saved and that I receive the promises that God has for me not by works in the Law. I am beyond thankful for this when I think of how much I struggle each day and how flawed I am. However, because of Jesus Christ and my faith in him I will receive all that God has promised and I am able to receive his blessings. Praise the Lord!

What's for Dinner?

Yesterday I did my usual menu planning and grocery shopping but I didn't have to cook last night. Chris and I went to The Melting Pot for our anniversary. It was a really fun experience and the food was delicious! However, now its back to the real world and here is my menu for the rest of the week.

Tuesday - Cubed Steak (cooked in the crock pot), mashed potatoes, green beans - I am taking dinner to a family tonight and this is always one of my favorites because it is really yummy and even my very picky Joshua likes it :)
Wednesday - Baked Flounder (frozen from Sam's Club - very good and easy to fix), short grain brown rice, stir fry veggies (another easy fix and very good - frozen bag from Kroger)
Thursday - Loaded Baked Potato Soup (Cooking Light recipe) and Salad
Friday - Hamburgers, Crock Pot Mac 'n Cheese (this stuff is awesome - probably not so healthy but delicious), and salad
Saturday - Black Bean & Salsa Chicken (this recipe makes a ton so you have lots of leftovers)

Chris likes to have leftovers for lunches so I am sure there will be plenty this week and Sunday will be a leftover day as well. Joshua told me this morning his favorite foods were carrots and chocolate cake so I guess I will have to fit that in somewhere!

Menu time again

I was at my parents for a visit so my usual Monday shopping trip is being done today so here is the menu for the rest of the week.

Wed - Shrimp Stir Fry with Short Grain Brown Rice
Thurs - Baked Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Salad
Friday - Chicken Enchilada Crockpot Soup

Saturday - Deer Tenderloin with Short Grain Brown Rice, Salad

Joshua-ism

bacuter = computer
libing room = living room
ear muffins = ear muffs
"I have geese in the river in my soul" = "I have peace like a river in my soul"

and a special one for our close friends....
miss Lybia = baby Olivia

just a Wednesday afternoon

So after a 10 minute ordeal to get upstairs and in the bed for his nap because in his words, "I need to take a break cause I am soooo tired," Joshua finally lays down. We read a story and then I covered him with his blanket and proceeded to the door to turn out the light and leave. As I am leaving Joshua says, "I am just going to sleep with my eyes wide open." Really? I don't even know how to respond to that....

Joshua making me laugh again

So we are shopping in Sam's club and the boys are sitting in the front of the shopping cart together right next to one another. Joshua is being silly and making Samuel laugh when Samuel starts babbling, "ba ba ba ba." So I say to Joshua, "He's saying your name!" Joshua gets really excited and says, "he is! he is saying my name" and is smiling from ear to ear. He then gets a very serious look turns to Samuel and says, "actually my name is Joshua."

Quest to Healthier Eating

A constant struggle for us it seems but we are working on eating healthier. I am working on sticking with my plan of doing weekly meal plans on Sunday and grocery shopping on Monday. Thanks to a good friend of mine I am also working on using wholesome natural ingredients in my cooking and staying away from processed foods, artificial anything, etc.

Here is the menu for this week:

Monday - Baked Salmon, Parsley Potatoes, Salad

Tuesday - Deer Tenderloin Steaks, Stir Fry Veggies, Sweet Potatoes

Wednesday - Apricot Chicken, Brown Rice, Salad

Thursday - Beef and Veggie Stir Fry, Brown Rice

Friday - Slow Cooker Black Bean and Salsa Chicken