Creative 2x Mom

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Monday Muddle

Hey Everyone,
How's your life out there in blog land? What did you do this weekend?

Three kids.... wow! I'll say it again. Love, kisses, dirty dishes,... and chaos! That pretty much sums up my life right now. I have to keep reminding myself that we're in very new territory and still need time to adjust. And yet, with each day that passes, the to-do list gets a little longer. :-) Such is life.

I rounded up the kids and took them to a bi-monthly library sale. I'd love to take my camera some time and show you how crazy they are. There had to have been over 100 people waiting for the doors to open on Saturday. So I strapped baby in a carrier and hung tight to my two older kids until we weaved our way to the children's section. I picked out several books, a few for homeschooling, and let the kids pick out several for themselves. Noah got his first comic book, a vintage Mickey Mouse Adventures. I've hardly seen his nose out of it all weekend.

Lydia went to a friend's house that afternoon so it was just the boys and I. We played games and read new books. It was fun to focus on Noah for awhile and just spend some one on one time while the baby napped. Chores took up the bulk of our weekend. Lydia tripped on a chair in Sunday School and came home with a busted tongue. Poor baby was just ruined for the rest of the day. So we stuck close to home and just relaxed. Caught up on the laundry... or attempted to. Made some Valentine's candy. Normal family events.

OH, hey, and this little thing called the Super Bowl. Did you watch?

Our Menu this Week:

Breakfasts:
Oatmeal and bananas
Frozen pancakes
Blueberry baked oatmeal

Lunches:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Yummy salads
Cucumber Wraps
Cucumber/Tomato Salad
Carrots/peas/string cheese/fruit

Dinners:
Monday: Pasta E Fagoili
Tuesday; Salmon Patties, zucchini boats
Wednesday: Coconut Chicken
Thursday: Tacos, cilantro lime rice
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Out with Family
Sunday: ???

Extras:
Strawberry Limeades
Carmel apple cheesecake bars

Projects I'm working on this week:
Finish 1000 gifts book
V-day fun
Scrapbook t-ball page
Work on Family Values project
Refine chore cards

Don't forget to check back tomorrow.

We'll have a link up for checking in on our 2012 Goals.

Lee's To Do List

Vintage Patisserie Paris Bridal Shower

Butterfly Ball Birthday Party

Art and Yoga Party

Beach Baby Birthday Party

Monster Party

Friday, February 3, 2012

Meal Planning 101: Keep Breakfasts and Lunches Simple

Most weeks when I post my menu, I hesitate to post breakfasts and lunches. 'Cause really those two meals in our house are simple, easy, and repeatable. I tend to buy many of the same items for breakfast and lunch, making the planning and cooking of those meals very routine.

I've found that having a little variety, but keeping things simple is really what works for the earlier part of the day. Everyone is busy with projects and we just want something that will satisfy. So these are some of the items that repeat in our weeks:

Breakfasts:
Easy muffin recipes (make a double batch and freeze some)
Oatmeal
Yogurt
Cream of Wheat
Frozen Waffles (make extras on the weekend and freeze for weekday morning breakfasts)

Lunches:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Quesadillas
Veggie Wraps
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Bacon Avocado on a Bagel
Mini Pizzas

Easy Additions to Lunches:
Cheese sticks
Yogurt
Wheat things
Trail Mix or Nuts
Any kind of fruit
Cherry tomatoes
Carrot sticks
Side Salad
Sliced Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Hummus and Ranch Dips

What do you feed your family for breakfasts and lunches?

*Linked to these Parties

Thursday, February 2, 2012

While You're Waiting: Build Strong Relationships

(Image Credit: Jomphong)

*Recently I was thinking about all I would want my daughters to know before they get married. Instead of wishing the days away until they walk down the aisle, how would I encourage them to live? Living in the joy of who God created. The practicalities and the dreaming. What would I want to encourage... While they're waiting? These are some of those thoughts.

During my college years, I built some of the strongest relationships of my life. I was on my own, meeting new people, and deciding what I truly believed about God and the world. I purposefully chose a Christian college so that I could be surrounded with professors of moral character who would challenge me in my beliefs. And it was during this time that the Lord brought some of my dearest friends into my life to strengthen, encourage, and teach me more that I was even learning in the classroom.

Use your single years to build strong relationships. Spend time with a variety of people: singles, married couples, the elderly. Dig deep into their lives. Gather all you can from the lessons they've learned over the years. Ask the Lord to use your time together so that you both can grow closer to him.

Build these strong relationships 'cause some day, when you're a wife and a mother, you'll need those who can stand with you, encourage you, and help you to see where the Lord is working. Don't forsake these relationships when you fall in love. Your single years will be your best opportunity to nurture them, but don't drop them all together when you find yourself with the one the Lord has prepared for you.

These strong friendships will provide a foundation for many years to come. They will be a part of your community, the community that will uphold your marriage and speak life into your walk with the Lord. Use the bountiful time in your single years. You won't ever regret investing in others and allowing them to invest in you.

*Linked to these Parties