Weekly Menu

Most of the time I fill out a weekly menu. This really does help out with time and makes things more simple. I usually plan my menu Sunday night or Monday morning. Mondays are our shopping day. I make a list of what we need from the menu then we go shopping and then we don't need to worry about going to any stores the rest of the week. When filling out my menu I start with the bottom. I fill in any activity or service that I need to do this way I can see if I'm pressed for time around one of the meals. Like on Thursdays mornings I need to be at church so I make the kids frozen organic waffles. I dust them with powdered sugar and put them in zip lock bags and they eat them in the car. They love taking their breakfast with them. For the most part, breakfast and lunches are the same each week. Example: every monday is oatmeal for breakfast and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. This helps me with trying to figure out what to put on the menu. I have about 2 weeks worth of dinners so they rotate. To make things simple you can have the same thing every week like the breakfast and lunches. Keeps the guess work out of what to eat. Menu planning has really helped me and has saved me lots of time. I am not stressed anymore about what to make or need to buy at the store. My husband likes it too because I'm not asking him everyday what he wants to eat. That is one argument that can be avoided now. And isn't that a huge reason to plan a menu??

My Husbands Birthday

I've been thinking lately about this boxed bundt cake that I used to eat when I was little. I don't know if it was made by Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker. Alls I know is that it was good! For some odd reason they did away with it. I decided to try to track it down on the internet and I found other people that loved this cake too and they couldn't figure out why they got rid of it too but low and behold I found a recipe for it so I decided to try it for my husbands 38th birthday. I was sure it wouldn't turn out like the box mix but amazingly, it was almost exactly like it. The only difference was that the coconut filling was a little different. At one point it brought back memories of a time when I was little. I don't know why I didn't try to make this cake myself instead of trying to hunt down a box mix that'll probably never be made again. Anyway, everyone liked the cake. Happy birthday babe! I hope you had a great day and pray that the Lord will bless you with many more.

Here is the recipe...

Chocolate Macroon Bundt Cake:

18 oz. Devils Food Cake Mix

1 Egg White

1/4 c. sugar

1 c. shredded coconut

1 Tbs. flour

1 tsp. almond or vanilla extract

Glaze

1/3 c. evaporated milk

3/4 c. milk chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake mix according to package directions except use buttermilk instead of water to make it richer.

2. In medium bowl, bet egg white until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.

3. Fold in coconut, extract, and flour.

4. Pour half batter into a greased, floured 12-c. bundt cake pan.

5. Drop coconut filling by spoonfuls evenly over center of batter in pan, but avoid touching sides. 6. Pour remaining batter over top and smooth.

7. Bake for 45 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

8. Meanwhile, to make glaze, melt chocolate chip in milk in medium saucepan over medium heat. (Mixture will be thin.) Cool to lukewarm before pouring over cake..

9. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes. then turn out onto cooling rack. When cool ice with milk chocolate glaze.

Smoothies

Smoothies are yummy and it is a great way to eat foods we normally don't eat plus it's a good way to sneak things in that the kids don't like or add extra things in like hemp seeds or powdered supplements.

The kids always help make their smoothies. They fight over who's going to put what in the blender and then when I turn it on, they say it's too noisy and cover their ears. I noticed when I allow the kids to help cook, they are more willing to eat what they made. Plus it's a good way for them to learn how to cook and help out in the kitchen.

Here is a recipe for a smoothie that we make often...

It's called Berry Good! 3/4 orange juice, 1 Tbs honey, 1 Tbs hemp seeds, 2 bananas, 2 cups frozen mixture of blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. Throw everything in the blender and mix on low until everything is blended then increase the speed until the mixture is smooth. Makes 2 servings .

Part of our circle time

We made a calendar and we cross off the days that go by. We also post a cut out of what day it is and hang a picture of what the weather is like outside. Usually, it's a picture of a hot sun fanning itself.

Here are some cute ladybugs that we made for spring time. It was also educational because they got to choose how many legs and dots their ladybug was going to have. And then we counted them out loud as we glued them on. Notice how Giana glued hers on in a perfect row?

Just ask.......

God always proves himself true. He is always faithful. I love it when He blesses us with our every need but then blesses us with our wants too. Things that we really don't deserve but He loves to bless those that are obedient like we do with our own children.

There has been a book that I have been wanting and i've been searching for a used copy. I wasn't patient and I didn't ask the Lord for it. I've been rushing around looking for it. Then one night I was feeling disappointed that I couldn't find a copy. I finally gave up and said, Lord, you know I want this and if you want me to have it, it will be there for me. Maybe not next week or the week after but if it's your will I will have it. Do you know the very next day a friend of mine called and found a used copy for $10. It was all mine. And it was like the Lord said, see what happens when you ask. And see what happens when you are patient and you give your worries to me and you had faith that I would answer your prayer at some point (as long as it is His will).

What a learning lesson. I think I'm more happy about what God has spoken to me then having the book. I have always wanted to start a journal to record all the things the Lord has blessed us with when we have asked. I think now is the time to do that. What a great thing to hand down to the children. Thank you God for all you are.

STRESSED

Well, today was one of those days. I let my joy be taken away. It wasn't good from the moment we woke up. The kids were cranky and clingy and we had to go to church and they were not cooperative while we were there. Then we went to a used book sale at the park and the kids were still in a mood and wouldn't let me do anything. They both tugged and moaned, they wanted to be picked up. Sorry but I can't hold a 3 & 2 year old at the same time and shop. When I got home I had to make a couple of phone calls and while on the phone, the kids completely came unglued. They ran around the house so fast that by the time I looked up, it was as if my house got burglarized. Toys and stuff was every where. I could feel my anger building up. I yelled. I made angry faces. I made them sit on the sofa. And boy was my stress level high. I could feel myself getting tired and drained from the emotions. After that I had no desire to cook, clean, or anything. But as I sat trying to calm down and make sense of the day I realize a lot of this could of been nipped in the bud by crying out to God and discipling the correct/godly way. My day didn't start with the Lord like it should have. Every day should begin with the Lord. I had my husband pray for me but I never prayed. I need to learn to cry out to God in every situation and beg for help or whatever it may be. I also need to learn to use my patience and compassion that the Lord blessed me with when I decided to accept Jesus into my life. I feel bad about the day and how I handled it. I've asked for forgiveness from my children and the children are so sweet that they just seem to forgive and forget but what did I teach them today? That anger was ok? and that yelling was ok? I need to practice what I preach. Everyday I say to them, be like Jesus. I have them say, "get behind me devil' mark 8:33 when they are doing wrong or not obeying. I need to tell myself that stuff too. It's been awhile since my stress level got that high and I didn't like it one bit and I could of prevented it all by just turning to God. Have I learned my lesson? I hope so. Tomorrow will be a new day and I pray I will be joyful, loving, compassionate, considerate, edifing and merciful. I have all these gifts because of Jesus. I just need to know how to use them. To God, my husband and children, I am sorry for who I was and who I let myself be today. The enemy sure was smiling. Tomorrow I hope he shutters when my feet hit the ground when I get out of bed!

Candles Candles Candles

Ok, I'm on a 'need my home to smell good right now' kick. I'm all out of my candles and the only thing I have is a can of febreeze apple and spice spray. I guess it will do for now. There is nothing like a house that smells yummy with a warm glow to it. I think it gives it that comfy cozy even inviting feel. Some of my favorite brands are: Our Own Candle Company, Keepers of the Light and Yankee Candle. Paula Dean has her own out now. They smell really good in the jar. I have yet to purchase one to test it. She even includes a recipe with the candle. Burn a peach candle and make a peach pie...yummy! I think my hubby would like to come home to that. I have too many scents to list that I love. But for the bedrooms I love the smell of a country clothes line (fabric softner smell). And for the rest of the house I like baked goods/food candles. I smelled one candle that was named Grandmas Country Kitchen...that was heavenly. I haven't been able to find it since. Yankee Candle has a new one called the beach. It smells exactly like sun tan lotion. I guess that's what you mostly smell when you're on the beach. Hey, I just realized I have a small amount of a oatmeal cookie candle left in a mason jar. I must go burn it.....

Mothers Day

I thought I'd share one of my favorite chapters out of the bible for mothers day. This chapter is also what inspired me to start this blog. I strive to be this woman and I pray I can be an example of this woman to my children.

Being a mother is a true blessing.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Her Character as a Wife

10An excellent wife, who can find?For her worth is far above jewels. ~ Rare, Precious ~

11The heart of her husband trusts in her,And he will have no lack of gain. ~ Trustworthy ~
12She does him good and not evilAll the days of her life. ~ Kind ~

Her Devotion as a Homemaker

13She looks for wool and flaxAnd works with her hands in delight. ~ Works Joyfully ~ 14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.~ Goes extra mile to get choicest goods ~ 15She rises also while it is still nightAnd gives food to her householdAnd portions to her maidens.
~ Disciplined ~16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
~ Enterprising, prudent with money ~17She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. ~ Energetic ~ 18She senses that her gain is good;Her lamp does not go out at night. ~ Good Steward ~19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,And her hands grasp the spindle. ~ Diligent ~

Her Generosity as a Neighbor

20She extends her hand to the poor,And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
~ Compassionate, Generous ~

Her Devotion as a Homemaker

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
~ Provident~22She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. ~ Elegant ~23Her husband is known in the gates,When he sits among the elders of the land.~ Influential ~24She makes linen garments and sells them,And supplies belts to the tradesmen. ~ Industrious ~

Her Influence as a Teacher

25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. ~ Poised ~26She opens her mouth in wisdom,And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. ~ Wise ~

Her Effectiveness as a Mother

27She looks well to the ways of her household,And does not eat the bread of idleness.
~ Manages her home ~28Her children rise up and bless her;Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ~ Praiseworthy ~29"Many daughters have done nobly,But you excel them all." ~ Distinguished ~

Her Excellence as a Person

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
~ God-fearing ~31Give her the product of her hands,And let her works praise her in the gates. ~ Honored ~

Getting stuff for dinner

We visited our first hydroponic farm. We got some red and green leaf lettuce, some green peppers and some yellow pear tomatoes for the evenings dinner. We made a salad with some chicken breast. It was a little hard for the kids to pick stuff so maybe next time we'll visit a real farm where they can help. And we'll go earlier in the morning when it's not so hot. :P

Tea and Curriculum

Our dear friend and sister in Christ, Monica held a 'Tea and Curriculum' get together at the park. It gave us homeschoolers the opportunity to look through homeschool catalogs and curriculums. This was my first homeschool get together. I even won a prize. I learned a lot and got a lot of information and my head is still spinning. The other mommies were very encouraging. I'm very excited to start the preschool year. Oh, the kids had a great time playing while us mommies were busy with curriculums.

The kids made cupcakes with Papi

The kids made cupcakes with their Papi and he let them put as many spinkles on as they wanted. They look very happy huh? These cupcakes were actually make up ones. The last time my hubby made some, I was very sick and I couldn't taste them. So, since I was feeling 100% better he made me some more. What a great hubby! I love him!