A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ September 13, 2010

FOR TODAY ~~
Outside my window...the shadows of the trees on the church across the street. The American Flag waving in the wind. The sun shining brightly in a very blue fall sky.

I am thinking...that I need to work on looking directly at my son when he talks to me...even if it's about video games for the hundredth time today. I want to make sure he realizes that he is worth being looked at when he talks. That might help him in choosing a mate someday. He deserves someone who looks at him when he talks.

I am thankful for...being able to homeschool, a husband that works hard, a daughter who is a helper, healthy babies, FALL!

From the learning rooms.....learning about creation, going through Proverbs for Bible. Dealing with prepositions in grammar. Learning about axis lines and the globe lines in Geography. Math, Science and Social Studies. Equivalent, cultivate and introduce are a few of our Spelling words this week.

From the kitchen...Roasting a chicken with apples, celery, garlic and rosemary. It smells wonderful. Making a no-crust apple pie for dessert.

I am wearing...JEANS!! Thankful to be able to cover my imperfections with the cooler weather.

I am creating...I am planning on doing faux stain glass on my back door using tissue paper and modge podge.

I am going...to relax tonight and seriously think about what things on want to cook to stay on track with Weight Watchers.

I am reading...Home Comforts and The Gentle Art of Domesticity.

I am hoping...that I start to get over whatever hormone imbalance I am dealing with so I can stop being scarey mommy.

I am hearing...The sound of my phone going off, my son getting upset because he does not feel he understands his math, my little guy playing in his bedroom, the fan running, the windchimes out on the porch.

Around the house...we are looking forward to fall with the crunch of leaves, the smells of cinnamon and apples, the vibrant colors and bonfires on a cool evening.
One of my favorite things...is taking pictures. I also love to feather my nest for my family. I want them to like being here.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hoping to get a storm door installed. Having a candle or I should say a Scentsy party. Maybe going out with a friend to deprogram.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.......A Life Well Spent

Updates :)

It's been a while hasn't it. Just wanted to say that I am still here. Having a 2 year old and a new baby can keep one VERY busy.

A few updates:

The summer was not really busy, other than dealing with the little ones. The heat made it hard to get out of the house.

We finally got our dining room and living room painted, courtesy of my wonderful mother. It really brightened our moods to have some fresh paint on the walls and to finally start making the home our own. We did the dining room in a wonderful red color and the living room is a nice yellowy gold tan color. The one picture of the dining room shows the red on one side and the blueish primer on the other side of the fireplace.



We attended a few art fairs and went strawberry and blueberry picking for the first time. That was a lot of fun.







Jack turned 2. He is doing a lot better. He has started to talk and counts up to 10 and backwards to 1. He says a few words and each week seems to have another word he learns to say. He is continuing with the Early Intervention playgroup. He is my child that teaches me patience and makes me want to lose a lot of weight to keep up with him. He always seems to find something to get in to.



Oliver got bigger :)



I made a rag quilt and some coasters.



I canned some applesauce. Made some pasta sauce and refrigerator pickles too.


School started last week here in the home and the first week went very well. I feel so blessed to be able to sit around the table first thing in the morning having family devotions. I love to be able to see the wheels turning in my son's head as he figures out math problems and also the joy he expresses when he gets them all right.




Wow, that was quite the update! I continue hoping that I will be able to get back to blogging more regularly.

Until next time....

He's Here! A Double Birthday In Our House!

Oliver Joseph was born at 2:19 a.m. on 06/25. He weighed in at 8 lbs 1 oz and measured 22 in long.

After having two very hard yet irregular contractions and just not feeling right we made the 40 minute drive to the hospital I was to deliver at. My husband thankfully got us there in 30 minutes. I started having regular contractions in the car at 5 minutes apart. I was wheeled levitating in the wheelchair up to the Labor and Delivery floor. They explained they needed to check me to see where I was at and found me to be 9 cm and 100% effaced. After laboring for an additional 30 minutes, I delivered. It was a very hard, intense labor, but very quick. My doctor made it in just as I was ready to push. No time for any medications, although I was going to try to go without anyway. Very thankful we took the initiative to get to the hospital even though we were not exhibiting classic signs of labor. God's timing is SO perfect! We are enjoying our littlest little man so much.

Oliver was his older sister's 19th b-day present :) Makes it that much more special!

Oliver

I have not had the energy or the mind to post lately and I really hope to pick back up again soon. I miss posting pictures and thoughts on my life. For now, here is the ultrasound picture of Oliver from a couple weeks ago. At that time, he was measuring 7 lbs. I'm thinking he might be a big baby when he finally shows up ;) You can see his face pretty well. He is holding his arm in front of his face.

Menu Plan Monday

I have been trying to sit down and make a menu plan so that everybody knows what is going on for dinners for when I finally have the baby. A lot of these are easy and will make good leftovers. I may even edit this post eventually in the next day or two to add next weeks as well. Would love to have that taken care of and not have to think about it again and hopefully by the end of the 2 week menu plan, we will have a new little baby :)


Sunday: Meatball Bake
Monday: Balsamic Beef Onion Pasta
Tuesday: Roast Kielbasa and Potatoes
Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Thursday: Brown Rice and Lentil Casserole
Friday: Hamburgers and Fries
Saturday: Grilled Chicken

For more Menu's check out Organizing Junkie

Menu Plan Monday

Trying to get a little more WW friendly this week. Going to need more WW meals once this little guy is born. 32 weeks now...won't be long :)


Monday: 75 cent Chili Dogs from Vince's Drive In
Tuesday: Easy WW Friendly Goulash
Wednesday: Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
Thursday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Friday: Basic Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Corn on the Cob
Sunday: BRINNER, pancakes, hashbrowns, sausage, OJ.


For more Menu's check out Organizing Junkie

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Roasted Kielbasa and Potatoes
Tuesday: Balsamic Beef Onion Pasta
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken
Thursday: Easy Pleasing Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
Friday: Extra Easy Pizza
Saturday: Not sure yet....maybe left overs.
Sunday: Brinner - Eggs, Sausage, Pancakes.

For more Menu's check out Organizing Junkie

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Angel Hair Pasta with Crab
Tuesday: Hearty Chicken Pot Pie
Wednesday: Jerk Pork Tenderloin, Potato, Veggie
Thursday: Garlic Beef with Broccoli
Friday: Extra Easy Pizza
Saturday: Makeover Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta
Sunday: Leftovers, unless I come up with something, then I will update :)

Tried this for a treat: Iced Mocha Coffee
Going to try this: Fruit Salad in Seconds

For more Menu's check out Organizing Junkie

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Crockpot Nachos

Tuesday BDAY DINNER: White Castle Cheeseburgers (homemade), Darn Good Chocolate Cake.

Wednesday: Mac and Cheese Pizza

Thursday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Friday: Skillet Penne and Sausage

Saturday: Not sure yet...will post when I figure it out :) Maybe leftovers.

Sunday: Easter Dinner (more to come on what I will be making)

For more Menu's check out Organizing Junkie

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Lemon Chicken Saute served over rice and Baked Asparagus w/Balsamic Butter Sauce

Lemon Chicken Saute
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (this is what we need for our family, adjust accordingly for yours)
3 T all purpose flour
PAM no-stick cooking spray
1/3 cup butter or margarine (we use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
3 T lemon juice
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp sugar

Roll chicken in flour to coat. Spray large skillet with Pam or other cooking spray. Add butter and melt over medium heat. Add chicken breast and saute till lightly browned on one side. Turn and brown on second side, 5-7 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove chicken and set aside. Stir teriyaki sauce, lemon juice, garlic and sugar into skillet. Return chicken to pan and simmer 3 minutes. Turn chicken over, and continue cooking until fork tender (2-3 minutes)

Serve over cooked rice.

Baked Asparagus w/ Balsamic Butter Sauce
Ingredients:
1 bunch fresh asparagus
cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste
2 T. butter (We use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
1 T. soy sauce
1 t. Balsamic vinegar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Snap ends off of washed asparagus and place on baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 12 minutes or until tender. Melt the butter in a sauce pan or in the microwave. Stir in soy sauce and Balsamic vinegar. Pour over baked asparagus and serve.

TUESDAY: Steak Stroganoff

Ingredients:
2T flour
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 3/4 lb. boneless round steak
2 cans 10 3/4 oz cream of mushroom soup (I use 98% FF)
2 c. water (or 1 can 100% FF beef broth for more flavor)
1 envelope beef stew mix
4 oz can mushrooms, sliced and drained
1/2 c. sour cream
1 T minced parsley

Combine flour, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika in slow cooker. Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch strips. Place in flour mixture and toss until meat is well coated. Add soup, water, and stew mix. Stir until well blended. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours. Stir in mushrooms, sour cream, and parsley and then cook on high 10-15 minutes until heated through. Serve over egg noodles. (Depending on the consistency of the sauce, you may need to add cornstarch to thicken or add more water/broth to thin)

Wednesday: Cheesy Rigatoni Bake

Ingredients:
1 16 oz pkg rigatoni noodles
2 Tbsp butter or margarine (we use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 c. milk
1/4 c. water
4 eggs, beaten
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
2 cups sherdded mozzarella cheese (we use fat free or reduced fat cheese)
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and salt until smooth. Gradually add milk and water. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Drain pasta and place in a large bowl. Add beaten eggs. Spoon into a greased 9X13 pan. Top with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Spoon white sauce over top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.


(THE ABOVE RECIPES I GOT FROM Melissa's Bargain Blog

THURSDAY: Kielbasa and Veggies

FRIDAY: Slow Cooked Pork Chops

SATURDAY: Brown Rice and Lentil Casserole

SUNDAY: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Made this yesterday: Strawberry Cobbler

Going to try: Delicious Easy Cereal Bars

For more Menu's check out Organizing Junkie