Tidy Up Tuesday- Continues

Well, the garage is more than a one week task….  It’s gotten BAD in there…  So, this week I’m going to continue working on the garage, and work on Valentine’s Day decorations.  Already my schedule seems to be getting the best of me and I’m falling behind.  I am determined to “Get in Front of It” as my good friend likes to say.  I need to tame this beast!!!! 

Last year we worked on our “Six List” and I know that when I do it, it is very helpful to me…  I need to start making my lists again. 

What about you?  How do you tame your beast?  (Whatever it may be)

Menu Monday- 1/16

I’ve had a couple of successful weeks of low grocery spending.  I did decide to buy the bacon and chicken from Zaycon Foods, and when I went to buy it they were sold out of Chicken!  It’s fine, though, because I have a lot still in the freezer.  I also got two other friends to split the Bacon with me, so once they pay me back my grocery budget will be back in check again   It always works out some how

I’m looking forward to some warm weather this week- supposed to be in the 70’s all week…  Ahhhhh…  I’ve got potato salad on my mind…..  or layered salad….  hmmmm…

Here’s the menu:

Monday: Parmesan Chicken, Avocado-Orange Salad, Caramel Apple Galette

Tuesday:  Sausage, Peppers, and Cannellini Bean Stew

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner

Thursday:  Date Night for me and Mikey, Kid Cuisines for kids

Friday:  Turkey Cobb Sandwiches, Bacon-Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Saturday:  Pizza or some other take out food, I’ll be working on the cake and not want to cook

Sunday:  Shea turns 3!!!!  Biscuit Pizzas, cake, other misc party food

Family Time Friday- Thoughts, actions, words

“Watch your Thoughts, for they become Words…
       Choose your Words, for they become Actions…
             Be mindful of your Actions, for they develop your Character”- author unknown

This was the signature of an email I received.  I really feel like this is a powerful statement.  How often do we will things into action?  Take your marriage, for example.  If you don’t watch your thoughts the resentment bug can destroy your marriage in seconds flat.  On the flip side of that coin, the way you think about your spouse in positive ways transpires to deepened relationship as well. 

Now let’s look at this with our kids…  If you are constantly thinking that your kid is lazy, then those words will come out of your mouth, and then the child believes it and they become lazy….  If you think of your child as incredibly kind, that will transpire as well.  I’m not saying to have unrealistic thoughts, or even expectations.  Just remember, that your children know what you think about them, and for me, I want my children to know I think the best of them.  It helps them to develop their character.

For myself, I can have the same power.  If I look in the mirror and think to myself about how fat I am all the time, next thing I know I’m saying I’m nothing but a fat girl, and then I’m becoming that fat girl that I thought myself to be.  Or, incompetent, or insecure, or unreliable, unable to be on time…  the possibilities are endless…  And, if I think to myself things like, “I am a beloved child of God, perfect in his sight, and dearly loved”, I feel that love and then I leak that love out to others…

Remember the song, “Be careful little children what you see…  Be careful little children what you see…  For your Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little children what you do…”

Or another thing I tell my kids- “Garbage in, Garbage out”..  meaning they need to guard what they let into their hearts and minds, because if they put garbage in, garbage will come out.

These are all good reminders for how we relate with our kids, but also good reminders for how we relate to our spouses, our friends, and ourselves.

Well that was unexpected….

Well, a few months ago I was so excited to receive a letter from my mother saying that she wants to start passing cards back and forth and trying to rebuild our relationship.  I eagerly jumped on the train, so excited that my mother and I might be able to bridge some sort of relationship.  I knew that it would never be the relationship I had longed for, but if we could at least have something I would be grateful.  We’ve sent cards back and forth and even exchanged gifts at Christmas (something we haven’t done for years).  I really felt like we were getting somewhere.  Then this morning my sister tells me that my mother had her will rewritten to give everything to her boyfriend. 

Now, don’t get me wrong.  It isn’t that I want my mother’s money.  Actually, she really doesn’t have any at all.  It’s the sentimental stuff that bothers me.  She has the piano I learned to play on.  She has the heirloom Christmas ornaments that belonged to my great grandma.  She has the Grandfather clock that MY grandfather MADE that is supposed to be passed down to me.  She has the tables that my grandpa made out of tree trunks.  Countless items that belonged to my grandparents and great grandparents.  Those items should stay in the family.  None of them are really worth money, and I don’t care about their monetary value.

So, now I’m faced with how to deal with this.  I forgave her for all of the many things she has done over the years that have been hurtful, and it took a lot of work and prayer to get there.  Now I have to start over.  I have a whole new thing to forgive her about.  I am also in a place where, I really am not even sure I want to continue to try to have a relationship with her because there’s constantly something going on that is hurtful to me or my children.

And I wonder, why now?  This is something she’s talked about for years, but has never had the money to get it done.  And she’s known all along how I felt about it.  So why at the same Christmas when she tells me she has no money for Christmas so she’s sending the kids something little (a meat and cheese basket for the boys, for example) does she come up with the money to do this as her Christmas present to her boyfriend?  Why do it and Why tell my older sister?  Why?  Why Why Why?  We were making such progress.

I know for one thing that I will never abandon my children, and in a weird way I’m thankful for all that has happened, because it is what caused me to want to open my heart to my two youngest.  I’m in prayer for peace and forgiveness, and for right now I’m just going to be still.  I’m not going to send anymore correspondence, and I’m going to wait for God to heal my heart and help me to forgive her…..  Again….

Weight Loss Wednesday

Well, I got back on the stick this week, and as a result lost 2.2 pounds!  I still have 2 pounds to go to be to my “pre-Christmas” weight, and a few more pounds to be back under my all time lowest, which I was at in October.  I’m doing my best not to be frustrated with myself, because life happens.  My schedule had gotten completely out of control, and that was the main reason for my slipping.  It’s time to own it and move on. 

Here’s my tidbit that is helping me this week.  There is a book called, Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time, that is on the reading list of one of the other blogs I read.  It’s now on my reading list as well.  I had a sample sent to my Kindle, (which I love, by the way)and started reading it.  It begins with a story about someone eating a frog- you’ve got to read it yourself to understand, but the point is that if you eat your “frog”, your “frog” being your most difficult task, or least enjoyable task first thing, you’ll have a much more productive day overall.  I know this to be true with me, as exercise is definitely a “frog” for me.  So, I’m trying to commit to getting back to eating my frog first thing in the morning.  My schedule is still a bit out of control, and I haven’t figured out how to fix this, but I’m working on it.

With this, my weight loss/ healthy living goals for this week are:

• Stay within my points range for the week
• Earn at least 14 activity points
• Keep my caffeine intake down
• Drink at least 4 cups of water each day
• maximize my fruits and vegetables
• Write it BEFORE I bite it!

So, how do you manage to put yourself on the priority list?

Tidy Up Tuesday

Well, last week’s post about a weekly routine definitely helped me.  I didn’t get to everything, and I’m sure it will need some tweaking in the next couple of weeks, but I definitely felt less overwhelmed.  As a result, I was able to accomplish some other tasks…  Remember last year when we did “Making Our Homes Like Heaven in 2011”, and we went to our master closet and turned all of our hangers around?  Well, My husband and I went through our closet this week and donated 2 bags of clothing that was still turned around backwards (meaning we hadn’t worn it).  We kept a couple of items, but donated most of it.    It felt good to purge a little, and I cleaned up the closet while I was at it.  It had become a dumping ground during Christmas, so it was kind of a mess.  Once my daughter’s birthday passes it will be all clean again.  (That’s where we hide the majority of the presents).

In addition to continuing with my weekly schedule and figuring out what needs to be tweaked this week, my task for the week is going to be to clean out the garage.  It’s also a big mess from the Christmas stuff (some put away, some not, and other miscellaneous items just thrown out there.  Honestly I wonder on a regular basis how it gets so bad so fast…..

And, I’m going to be looking for some Valentines decorations.  I used to decorate for every holiday and the last couple of years I just haven’t been able to do it because I was so busy with everything.  I really want to get back to decorating again.  I am setting a goal of getting the decorations for Valentines out sometime next week.

Menu Monday- 1/9

Monday Monday!  Bear with me as my computer died on Thursday, so I’ve been trying to get settled back in to my new one.  Getting a new computer should be fun, and exciting, but it’s really just a hassle to me!  Don’t get me wrong- I’m thankful that we could get a new one (it isn’t really optional with 2 homeschooling kids), it’s just bothersome.   

Anyway, enough griping.  I did good on groceries last week, and still have a LOT of food in the freezer and pantry, so I’m working on a small grocery trip again this week.  I do have a decision to make on a meat order, as Zaycon Foods is coming to town with super cheap chicken and bacon.  I need to decide by Wednesday because that’s the order deadline.  I bought Chicken last time and it is very nice meat, I just have a bunch left from last time still.  Problem is, I’m not sure when they’re coming again, and I don’t know if they’ll have chicken….  And, at $1.69 a pound, it’s a really good deal…..  So, I’ll see where my freezer is by Wednesday and decide

Menu for this week:

Monday:  Chicken Enchiladas ( from Beef Enchilada recipe, just using chicken, and I have everything already), Trifle (I never made it on New Year’s , so I have everything for this too )

Tuesday:  Beef Pot Roast (in the freezer), Rolls

Wednesday:  Snack Dinner (Older Boys at EYC)

Thursday:  Mac and Cheese for the kids, Date Night for us

Friday:  Biscuit Pizzas

Saturday:  Parmesan Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese

Sunday: Fish Tacos (just need to get some cabbage) 

From this menu, I think all I need to buy (besides regular essentials and lunch/breakfast stuff) is some sour cream, frozen rolls, bread crumbs, and cabbage!  WOOHOO

Purposeful Time With My Kids

Time goes by so fast.  Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it when we’re in the moment, but it really does.  I look at my kids and the pictures from the past and think to myself, “Where did the time go”.  Which brings me to another thought.  What have I done to purposefully spend time with my kids lately?  The past couple of weeks have been full of holiday stuff, so we did  a bunch of stuff- rode the Polar Express, Christmas stuff, New Year’s Party (we always party with the kids), and Moody Gardens.  But what about normal every day life.  I often find myself so busy going to and fro that I’m exhausted by the time I’m not running and I’m really not up for doing much with the kids.  ;(

As 2011 drew to a close I knew one of my goals for 2012 would be to spend more purposeful time with my kids.  2011 was a year of trying to spend more purposeful time with my husband, and it has completely changed our relationship.  (Not that it was bad before, it’s just so much more deep now).  I’m hoping to do the same with my kids.  So, on my calendar for January I have at least 2 family nights on my calendar.  I’m not planning anything big for these nights, maybe just play some games or something.  Or even do a project to fix up the house together.  But the important thing is it’s on the calendar. 

I found last year that if there is a spot open on my calendar it gets filled.  I am often gone every night of the week between taking the kids to their activities, date night, and the other things I’m involved in.  Many weeks I found myself frustrated that it seemed like I was burning the candle at both ends and doing nothing but holler at my kids.  My calendar is still full this month, but I’m scheduling in down time so that it happens. 

What about you?  What do you do to keep the balance?

Weight Loss Wednesday- The After Holiday Downer

If you’re missing Wordless Wednesday, have no fear!  I’ve reinstated my blog Pictures of Jello where I’ll be posting my photography , so be sure to go check it out

Wednesdays will now be Weight Loss Wednesday   I have a visual for you to keep in mind over the next week as you make eating choices.  I’m going to keep it at the forefront of my mind, considering I gained 4.2 pounds over Christmas.  Yes.  I was shocked too.  But, it is what it is, and all I can do is move on from here….    Here’s the visual:

Ugh.  Yuck.  Blech….  Wow.

If you feel like you’ve done all this work and “ONLY” lost 3 pounds, or 5 pounds, or 15 pounds…  where ever you are, visualize this in relation to what you’ve lost.  It might change your vocabulary and take the “ONLY” out!

Last week we had a substitute leader and she asked us to set a goal of where we want to be at Valentine’s Day on our journey.  Then we took out our weight trackers and on the back marked where we want to be on the graph.  I set a conservative goal of 10 pounds lighter by Valentines Day (7 weeks of weight loss).  This week I stayed the same, but I wasn’t surprised because of New Year’s Eve and the chocolate fountain

My goals for this week are:

• Get back on track with my water.  It’s hard when it’s cold…
• Get back on track with my fruits and veggies.  Also hard when it’s cold because I don’t want a smoothie…..
• Earn at least 14 activity points this week
• Stay within my points range for the week.  Haven’t done that for at least 2 weeks…

How about you?  What are your goals for this week?

Tidy Up Tuesday- Weekly Cleaning Schedule

I’ve been saying it for a while, but now I’m doing it.  I need a weekly cleaning schedule again.  I’ve done it in the past and it has worked well.  It’s just that when I look at my calendar/schedule I just get overwhelmed.  But perhaps if I keep it simple that won’t happen?  I’m going to give it a go.  If you have a weekly cleaning schedule would you please share it?  I’m sure mine will need some tweaking

We have daily chores that I’ve divided among the household, which include:

• Pick Up Living Room
• Vacuum Living Room
• Pick Up Dining Room
• Sweep and Mop Dining Room
• Dishes
• Clean off Counters
• Guest Bathroom

So for the more thorough-

Monday:  Clean out Fridge, Grocery Shopping, Laundry

Tuesday:  Master Bathroom and Bedroom, Bed Linens

Wednesday:  Sweep Walk, Back Deck, Laundry

Thursday:  Mow Grass, Yardwork

Friday:  Dust, Tidy Babies’ rooms, Laundry

Saturday:  Kitchen Clean Up

Sunday:  Menu Planning

Menu Monday-1/1

Last year, my husband and I took Financial Peace University.  As we started to really watch where our money went we discovered that we spend a LOT of money on food.  I don’t know if other people would think what we spend is a lot, but for our Policeman salary income it’s a lot.  So, for 2012 one of the things I am working on is bringing our grocery/food budget down.  If you have inexpensive meal ideas, I’d love to hear them and share them too!

Monday:  BBQ Chicken and Awesome Ham Salad

Tuesday:  Date Night for us, Mac and Cheese or Pizza for the kids )

Wednesday:  Boil in a bag omelets, biscuits

Thursday:  Spaghetti

Friday:  Burgers, Fries, leftover pasta salad

Saturday:  Biscuit Pizzas

Sunday:  Snack Dinner

Family Time Friday- a Repost- Yule Logs!

This is a repost from last year, but worth repeating!  We'll be doing these logs with the kids again this year :)

Back in December of 2008 we started a new tradition for our New Year's Eve festivities. And, it continues to be a tradition that I cherish and we'll definitely do it again this year. We set up the chocolate fountain. created "Yule Logs" with our wishes for the coming year.... Ok, we set up the fountain too LOL  ;)  But, let me tell you about these logs!!

First, we took some strips of leftover wrapping paper and wrote all of our wishes for the coming year on them.  Then we crammed them into toilet paper rolls.  We wrote our name on our "log" and sealed the ends closed with candle wax.

 Then we put the logs all into the fireplace.  Here's Grego putting his log in...  Wow, he's grown up a lot in 2 years!!!

 Then we lit the fire and let our logs burn!  I was hoping the different wrapping papers would make colorful flames, but that didn't happen.  Oh well, still cool and a fun way to ring in the New Year!

I Know you wanted to see the Chocolate Fountain- here's my dad ringing in the New Year :)

Looking Forward to 2012- Resolutions Post

Many people think resolutions are dumb, that they are fun to make, but check them in say, February and they’re long forgotten.  I’ve never thought that way at all.  I think resolutions are what you make of them.  If you take them seriously they can have an impact on your life.  If you don’t, then yes, they are dumb.  I think the turning over of the calendar to a new year is a gift to each of us.  Just like the gift of Salvation- you only need to accept the gift.  If the calendar turns for you year after year after year and nothing ever changes, well, you have no one to blame but yourself. 

For me, the calendar turning is a time to reflect on the previous year and look towards the next to determine what went right, what went wrong, and what needs to change and what needs to be different.  Change is part of life.  We are all changing every moment.  The question is, is that positive change, or negative change?

As I look over my resolutions from last year, I am pleasantly surprised!  I have accomplished almost everything on my list from last year .   

In the area of Finances we can check off all but “accumulate no additional debt”.  We did accumulate an additional debt of a little under $1,000 for police lights and one piece of the kids’ curriculum.  With the pay cut we had, I’d say this is pretty good!In the area of children, most of these were progressive, or continual goals, but we made some progress on them, and the big one of finalize the adoptions happened! In the area of Marriage there is still the problem with the socks…..  And we didn’t renew our vows because we had so much going on with the babies around our anniversary…. Friends and Family will have a lot of the same goals this year, I need some work on priorities.  Home Management will be a main focus for 2012….  pretty much the same goals LOL….  but I will say my Spiritual growth has been huge this year.  So, as you can see, your resolutions are what you make of them.  I can say I have done a lot to improve myself and my life over the past year.  I don’t do it just for me, I do it for my kids and my husband.  I want to be the best I can for them.  I want to set a good example for my kids.  I want to instill to them the importance of continual self improvement.  I hope I’m doing that.

So, here are my goals for 2012:

Finances:

• Pay off all debt except the house
• Refinance the mortgage to be a 15 year mortgage
• Create and Maintain a Christmas Club Account
• Continue Menu Planning, with the goal of reducing the grocery bills
• Create and maintain sinking funds for various projects around the house and car

Children:

• Finish teaching Auston to drive, feel safe with him driving (is that possible?)
• Potty Train William
• Help Gregory to be more secure in himself
• Help all the children (but specifically the older boys) find some of their gifts and develop them
• Maintain the kids school schedules and keep up with their work
• Find a MDO program for the babies to go to
• Try not to “sweat the small stuff”
• Maintain the therapy schedule for the babies, and ensure they get what they need from that standpoint
• Get William’s belly button fixed and circumcision done

Marriage:

• Make sure he has clean socks LOL
• Continue regular date nights
• Spend some time away from the house for our anniversary (we never got to do this last year, hoping to do it this year)
• Revel in the newness of every day- even after 16 years together I still find out new things about my husband
• Believe in him always
• Surprise him
• Remember always that he is a gift

Friends and Family:

• Do more anonymous giving and acts of service this year.  (If you haven’t done anything like this you should!  It’s is a blast!)
• Send out Birthday and Occasion cards
• Continue with the progress I’ve made so far with my mother by exchanging cards, and try to focus on the positive.

Health and Fitness:

• Renew my commitment to Weight Watchers and stick to the new 2012 plan
• Exercise 3-5 times a week at minimum on a regular basis
• Start running
• Participate in at least 3 organized events- 5K’s etc
• Eat more fruits and veggies
• Lose at least 25 pounds again this year (for a total of 50 pounds since joining WW again)
• Maintain my reduction to one cup of caffeinated coffee per day, supplementing with other non-caffeinated drinks and teas

Home Management:

• Build a room in the garage for the boys
• Stain the deck
• Replace remaining facia
• Replace Carpet with other flooring
• Replace furniture (from the thrift store) I do have two small children still after all….
• Plant Flowers
• Improve the landscaping around the house
• Replace the window that Gregory broke on Christmas
• Maintain a cleaning schedule so as not to get overwhelmed by the house
• Train my family to HELP with said cleaning schedule.

Spirituality:

• Continue to do Bible Study lessons consistently
• Trust God when it doesn’t seem right
• Believe that God is in control.  Always.
• Chose the activities I’m involved in with the church so I don’t feel burnt out or resentful
• Tithe Consistently

Other Personal Goals:

• Clear out my schedule a little
• Schedule time for myself, time for things like bubble baths WITHOUT interruption, pedicures, massages. 
• Remember that taking care of myself helps me to feel renewed and therefore makes me a better mom and wife
• Learn to better delegate, and trust other people to handle tasks
• Learn to not get upset when the tasks are not done how I would have done them
• Read at least 12 books this year.  I’m so excited to have my new Kindle and actually think I can do this.
• Create a relaxation ritual for myself
• Craft more

Seems like a lot, but really, is it?  There are, after all, 365 day in which to achieve these goals