Organized Chaos
Orange Crockpot Chicken Recipe
I enjoy trying out new recipes! The ones that are easy to prep, include ingredients that are already in the kitchen, simple to cook, and receive a big thumbs up from our family are always my favorite! One of the recent ones we tried was adapted from New Leaf Wellness’ Orange Ginger Chicken Recipe. The girls and I loved it! Jake liked it too, but he isn’t as big on the sweet main dish recipes. This is a great recipe for the crockpot which means you could easily make one for dinner that night and freeze one for a later meal.
Orange Crockpot Chicken Recipe:
- 1 pound Chicken, cubed
- ½ cup Orange Juice (with pulp)
- ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
- 2 teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes
Place all the ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 3 to 6 hours or until chicken is cooked through. Serve over rice. Compliment with orange slices!
For a healthier version you can cook the chicken for an hour and drain the excess chicken juices than add the rest of the ingredients and cook for the remaining time. Also, tastes great with brown rice!
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
Last week was busy with all the extra doctors appointment, but thanks to the help of my family we got through all the activities that needed to be accomplished. I have quite of few appointments and other after school activities again this week as well. Although the girls have both Monday and Tuesday off of school so I am looking forward to spending some extra time with them. I plan on doing at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1 Meal” (make one to eat that night and freeze one to eat at a later date) this week. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pork Entree): Shepherds Pie, Fresh Salad (Make 1 & Freeze 1 Meal)
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Homemade Pizza, Fruit Salad
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Curry, Naan, Steamed Rice
- Thursday (Pasta or Seafood Entree): Baked Tilapia, Steamed Vegetables
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was busy week full of many extra appointments that were added into the schedule, some of them last minute, like doctor’s appointments. The hot water heater decided to pick this week to stop working too. Thankfully, it stopped on an evening when Jake was home, not traveling for work. Jake and my brother Lee were able to get a new one back up and working in one evening!
I was finally able to get an MRI and figure out specifically what is going on to cause all the pain and numbness. It has been over three weeks since I have been able to sleep in my own bed, the recliner has been the only comfortable spot to sleep lately! The doctors have found out that I have a severely herniated disc in my neck which is also clamping down on nerves causing the shooting pains down my neck, back, arm, and causing numbness in my fingers. The doctors are going to try and do a steroid shot directly into that specific disc this week and if that does not work than they want to do surgery. Praying that the shot will work because the surgery is much more evasive and permanent. Surgery would require a hospital stay not to mention recovery and effects on my future with mobility, movement, and other issues (obviously not my first choice).
It is getting old not sleeping well, taking medicines that me feel foggy and not myself, the pain is at times very intense and has limited me in a lot of areas, and numbness in my fingers can eventually lead to permanent damage if we don’t get that fixed as well. It hurts getting older! I am ready to be back to my normal self soon. Praying that they can fix it with the simple solution and without surgery. There are some areas I did okay with this week on my goals and others not so well. Either way I plan on proceeding forward with all my goals, activities, and tasks as much as possible!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Pick another book to read to the kids– I picked out Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the girlsJake finish reading Last of the Mohicans to the kidsPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall Events & TripsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- Ride Bikes with the kids – I was not able to ride bikes this week due to my neck, back, and arm issues
- Go for a Walk with the Kids – we did not go on walks this week because I was limited in extra moving around on top of my normal activities
Play a Game with the Kids– played Halloween BingoAttend School Board Meeting– Jake attended for me because I was not able to go due to health issues- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – was not able to get to this one
Plan Family Halloween Dinner & Celebration– enjoyed a relaxing Halloween evening and weekend with my familyOrthodontic Appointment for Kids
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Exercise at least 5 times this week – doctor did not want me doing any additional exercises at this time
Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – I got it done, but it took more than one day due to me moving slower and needing help carrying items
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekDo at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer – didn’t get it done
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors) – didn’t get the basement floors clean, but I did a more “deep” clean of the laundry room due to hot water heater dying on us this week!
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – was not able to get this done
- Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic – need help to get these in the attic so was unable to finish it
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – thanks to my brother letting us borrow his mower Jake was able to get the yard mowed, but we still need to get the pool put away
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin & Make Homemade Treats with the kids for Skipper) – we made homemade treats for the dog, but still need to refill the goat food bin
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – still have some that need my attention and a response
Keep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – got started on it
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File PaperworkMake an extra payment on Outstanding Debt– we were able to make an extra payment this week which helps us inch forward in the right direction!- Earn some Creative Cash – I wasn’t able to get any extra creative cash completed this week
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – I did go grocery shopping for the first time in THREE weeks, but I did go to more than one store and I went a little over our budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- ENT and Eye Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
- Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Make an extra payment on Outstanding Debt
- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
It has been a wild month. I am back in town earlier than expected so decided I need to get our dinner menu planned for the busy week ahead. It is my goal to start doing at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1 Meal” every week (make one to eat that night and freeze one to eat at a later date). Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Taco Lasagna, Fresh Fruit (Make 1 & Freeze 1 Meal)
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Hot Dogs, Baked Beans
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Salad, Fresh Vegetables
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Acorn Squash Stuffed with Sausage, Homemade Italian Herb Bread
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It was a crazy week. I spent some time in Kansas with my family helping Fall Harvest last week, however, I continued to have difficulties and pain with my back, neck, arm, and numbness in my hand so I came back home earlier than expected. Jake picked me up from the airport and took me directly to the doctor. After a couple more doctors visits they “think” it is a bulging, dislocated, or chipped disc in my neck along with strained/pulled muscles in my shoulder, and a pinched nerve. They are hoping I will feel better with the current treatment soon otherwise the next step is a MRI and possible surgery.
While away I did learn a lot. My time in the Midwest made me appreciate my parents and many of my extended family members who are in the farming industry even more for all the hard work they do on the farm. During Fall Harvest the days are long, very busy, and a lot of activities are going on simultaneously (harvest, drilling, hauling, prepping fields and meals, and so much more). It takes a lot of coordination, communication, and skill to keep everything and everybody moving forward smoothly. Plus, you have the weather that effects your days and activities too.
I am thankful that I was able to pitch in a small way and learn a few new things as well. I did manage to drive the tractor and grain cart a little bit and the track tractor for a few hours which is something I have never done before. Thankfully, I managed to make some progress forward and didn’t break anything (when operating such big equipment like the tractors, trucks, combines, vehicles, and equipment during harvest it is one of my fears that I will break something which could be costly in time and finances). I was super excited about helping my family with Fall Harvest, my biggest disappointment was that I had to come home early due to my health. For some reason God wants me home during this time, but I continue to pray for safety for all my family members still working the long hours out in the fields, prepping meals, and traveling to deliver the crops during this very busy time. I love my family dearly and truly wanted to be a blessing to them during this time.
Praying that I heal quickly because after over two weeks of sleeping restlessly in a recliner, being in pain, and having the side effects from the medicines I am ready to be myself again (I think my family would really like that too). With all that being said I have made adjustments with my schedule and hope to still accomplish many of my goals this week, but I want to be realistic as well with everything that is going on right now.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Mail at least one note to Jake and the girls – I took cards and stamps, but with the busy days, pain, and coming home early it didn’t get done
Speak to my husband and kids at least once a daySend at least one Text, Picture, Instant Message, or Email a day to let them know I am thinking about them– my phone was not cooperating in KS, but I managed to IM at least once or twice a dayHave Hangout chat with the entire family at least once this week– I did do one short video hangout chat with Jake and the girls one eveningPrepare for Upcoming Fall Events & TripsSpend time with extended family– worked with them and went to the Country Harvest Pumpkin Patch with my parents, brother, and nephews on Sunday near Hastings, Nebraska
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – didn’t do so well keeping up with my water (one day I left my water in the pickup while I was in the tractor for several hours)
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)– I was ahead with my plan before heading to KS so I remained caught up- Exercise at least 5 times this week – ummmmm….no this one didn’t get done, I was moving around, but really only out of necessity not for exercise because moving was at times pretty painful
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
Keep up with my laundryUpdate Evernote with any home / yard / pets activities for Jake and the girls
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – there were some activities I let slide this past week, hoping to get caught back up soon
- Work completed for clients – still have a couple items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt (microwave and refrigerator) – working on it
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Pick another book to read to the kids (Jake is currently reading Last of the Mohicans to them)
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Ride Bikes with the kids
- Go for a Walk with the Kids
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Attend School Board Meeting
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- Plan Family Halloween Dinner & Celebration
- Orthodontic Appointment for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Exercise at least 5 times this week
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1” Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
- Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin & Make Homemade Treats with the kids for Skipper)
- Make 1 – Freeze 1 Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat and one to freeze for later)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Make an extra payment on Outstanding Debt
- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week I was able to some items crossed off my list, but not as many as I hoped due to a painful pinched nerve. This week will be a little different because I will not be spending the week with my immediate family. I know I will miss them terribly, but I hope to be able to help out extended family and be a blessing to the people I will be spending time with this week. Hopefully I will be able to keep up with everyone and get a lot accomplished throughout the week. You will notice my weekly goals will be altered a little too since I will not be available to help with the normal activities around my immediate family.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read A Horse Called Wonder by Joanna Campbell (Book #1 of the Thoroughbred Series) to the kidsPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall Events & TripsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- Ride Bikes with the kids – it didn’t get done with my pinched nerve
- Go for a Walk with the Kids – a couple of days it was all I could do to get through the day
Attend School Board MeetingGive Jake a haircut-
Make Toffee per girls requests -
Cook up Ground Hamburger and Freeze for future meals -
Make and freeze Spinach Cubes for Smoothies
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – I did not do a good job of drinking my water while traveling this past weekend
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)- Exercise at least 5 times this week – it didn’t happen
Pedicure – my toenails could use a fresh coat of polish
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekFreezer Meals Prepped for future meal- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator / Freezer – had to let this one go with a the stuff going on this week
- Clean House including all 3 bathrooms, dusting, floors, and bedrooms – only basic cleaning was done
- Put Fall/Winter Clothes in Closets and dressers and put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic – put away in closets but the still haven’t gotten the clothes back in the attic
Refill kids vitamin containerRefill Baggie Drawer and Lunch Box Container- Pool taken down and put away – pools drained, but not put away
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt (new microwave, refrigerator, and other debt) – working on it
Pay October BillsRecent Receipts Basket Cleaned Out, Organized, & Receipts FiledFile Paperwork- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – didn’t even make it to the grocery store with my pinched nerve
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Mail at least one note to Jake and the girls
- Speak to my husband and kids at least once a day
- Send at least one Text, Picture, Instant Message, or Email a day to let them know I am thinking about them
- Have Hangout chat with the entire family at least once this week
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Exercise at least 5 times this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- Keep up with my laundry
- Update Evernote with any home / yard / pets activities for Jake and the girls
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt (microwave and refrigerator)
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Order Will Be Restored in this House!
Either the girls forgot the house rules or got a little spoiled with all our traveling and busy summer! With everything going on this summer instead of waiting for them to pick up and turn their clothes right side out for laundry day I would just do it since I needed to repack the suitcase or wanted to get the house pick up. The beginning of the school year got off to a rough start in house department because they must of thought it was okay or normal to just throw their clothes on the bathroom floor before their showers, leave headbands on the sink, and other random items placed in odd spots through the house and their rooms.
After several days of being nice and reminding them to pick up after themselves I decided it was time to do something else to get their attention. On that particular night I had already wading through their piles of clothes on the bathroom floor, picked up pieces of confetti paper off the dining room floor, put away their library books, placed more items than their bar stools would hold to be put away, and more craziness. In my quest to pick of the house I found a piece of notebook paper on the kitchen floor and scribbled out my note. The deal was either you pick up your stuff or breakfast will not be served that morning (and yes it was a school morning). I let Jake read my note first just in case I was being too zealous with my request. My first comment to him was “Order will be restored in this house!” Jake thought it was hilarious!
Guess what!? IT WORKED!!! You should have seen the girls reactions when they came to breakfast and saw the note on the counter instead of their food. Too funny! The next few minutes were a whirlwind of them scurrying around the house to put all their stuff away. They got everything done and in record time too. They both even got to eat breakfast that morning! The biggest benefit though was that it reminded them of their responsibilities and while we to still have an off day once in a great while it has been MUCH better.
When everyone in the family works together to put away their items in the proper places the whole family can enjoy a much more livable house. I don’t mind cleaning, but really don’t want to be a full time personal maid when everyone is perfectly capable of helping out. No more wading through piles of clothes, tripping over shoes, washing my hands with headbands in the sink, or random items spread throughout the house!
Hopefully this will be the last time I have to remind them. It wasn’t a fancy note and it was done a little off the cuff, but hey the message got across and it served it’s purpose! I have debated back and forth whether or not to share this with you than decided that if I am going through this in my house it is probably happening in at least a couple other homes somewhere. Maybe?!
A Sweet & Simple Note Can Melt a Moms Heart
Occasionally, Jake has to travel for work and there are times when he is gone random craziness happens at home. On this particular week Jake was gone it was busy with a lot of school activities, tutoring, animals getting out of their pen, doctor appointments, sick kids, and more. This particular day had a tough afternoon noon of school work, followed by chasing the goats back into their zone (multiple times), leftovers for dinner, a couple of not-so-cool Mommy moments, and running around trying to get the kids in bed on time.
By the time the girls were in bed I was exhausted and ready to relax, but lunches still needed to be put together, dishes washed, kitchen picked up, bills to be paid, and more regular household duties waiting for my attention. I decided to take 10 minutes and sit down, on the couch, and reflect on the events of the day. While sitting there I started thinking about everything I could have done better regarding my interactions with the girls in some of the sticky situations specifically regarding my actions, words, and attitude.
As I was thinking about the day I looked over at the dry erase board and saw a note from Karlie. Some days you don’t know if they realize how much we love them…..then they do something spontaneous and sweet like this simple note that melts my heart. And brings more tears! We are not perfect parents by a long shoot, but it does a Moms heart good to know that they really do feel loved and appreciated even in amidst those hurried, frustrating, and crazy days. I had no idea this note was on the dry erase board or when she put it there with everything going on that day, but it was the perfect encouragement boost I needed for that evening. Thankful for my kids and for their thoughtful ways of showing love.
She picked yellow so it’s a little harder to read, but it says:
I love Daddy.
I love Mommy.
I love Brina.
I love Oreo, Snowball, and Skipper.
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
It has been a busy few weeks and I think we are starting to get into the school groove now. Per a few requests I am going to try to update more regularly again regarding what items I pack for the kids school lunches. We try to pack a variety of items for the girls to eat. They have a snack in the morning, lunch, and an afternoon snack that needs to go into their lunches. Almost everyday of the week we have something right after school so we make sure they have enough to get them to dinner.
Lunch Box Meal
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Tortilla & One is actually a Soy Butter & Jelly Tortilla (peanut allergy)
- Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
- Raisins
- Pistachios, Cashews, and Almond Mix
- Oreo Cookies
- Fresh Red and Green Grapes
- Vanilla with Oreo Cookie Topping Yogurt & One with Soy Blueberry Yogurt (dairy allergy)
- ABC or Animal Crackers (one with non-dairy)
- Strawberry Fruit Nuggets
- Chocolate Milk & One with Simply Orange Juice
- Water Bottle
The girls pack their lunches at least once or twice a week. Since they have so much going on at school plus homework I try to pack their lunches for them on the other nights. It gives me a chance to help them out and after homework if they have any extra free time I want them to be able to relax, read, play, or do something fun (be a kid). I am thankful they are still excited about bringing their lunch to school because I know they are eating a variety of food.
The items in their containers (grapes, oreos, nuts, raisins, tomatoes).
Karlie’s lunch is ready to go!
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
There is a lot going on this week. I am hoping to keep the dinner menu simple and easy. Also, there are a couple meals this week I want to duplicate so we can stock up the freezer for those nights in the future when we will not be able to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I call it my “make 1 – freeze 1” meals. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Roast, Mash Potatoes
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Pizza, Salad (Make 1 Pizza Dough & Freeze 1)
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Pot Pie, Fresh Fruit (Make 1 Chicken Pot Pie & Freeze 1)
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Pork Chops, Steamed Vegetables
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
