I am thankful for:
1. decongestants
2. antihistamines
3. cough suppressants
4. fever reducers
5. cortisone
6. neosporin
7. sunscreen
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Hits and Misses
Weekly Menu check.
Hits:
frozen ravioli with garden-style sauce, salad
tacos, applesauce, carrots
garlic bread sticks
apple dumplings
KFC, potatoes, melon,
chic-fil-a in between pool and movies
burgers, veggies with dip, peaches
rigatoni spaghetti with cheese
mini taco pizza- corn tortillas, refried beans, shredded cheese quesadillas, with the name changed so the guest would eat it.
Misses:
chicken and gnocchi soup- too thick, odd taste, possibly the onions? Was ok with thinned broth.
coleslaw
fried zucchini strings- they may be fried crisp, salted, and tossed with parm cheese, but they are still green! Mike and I liked them.
On Deck:
pizza rolls (cinnamon rolls with pizza toppings instead of cinnamon sugar and such)
chicken stir fry
breakfast casserole with sausage, eggs, cheese, and veggies
something with ground turkey?
lunch with elders and guests- salad and cookout?
Goal:
get kids to eat more veggies.
Start adding baby food purees to sauces and such?
Hits:
frozen ravioli with garden-style sauce, salad
tacos, applesauce, carrots
garlic bread sticks
apple dumplings
KFC, potatoes, melon,
chic-fil-a in between pool and movies
burgers, veggies with dip, peaches
rigatoni spaghetti with cheese
mini taco pizza- corn tortillas, refried beans, shredded cheese quesadillas, with the name changed so the guest would eat it.
Misses:
chicken and gnocchi soup- too thick, odd taste, possibly the onions? Was ok with thinned broth.
coleslaw
fried zucchini strings- they may be fried crisp, salted, and tossed with parm cheese, but they are still green! Mike and I liked them.
On Deck:
pizza rolls (cinnamon rolls with pizza toppings instead of cinnamon sugar and such)
chicken stir fry
breakfast casserole with sausage, eggs, cheese, and veggies
something with ground turkey?
lunch with elders and guests- salad and cookout?
Goal:
get kids to eat more veggies.
Start adding baby food purees to sauces and such?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Six Things
Thanks.
1. That every accident doesn't result in a broken bone.
2. For my home teacher, whose wife makes yummy brownies.
3. To Olive Garden for cheap lunch dates with friends.
4. For the big bug on the door so Andrew could willingly go to school to show it.
5. To my husband and the chocolate he left on the top shelf of the fridge last night.
6. To my family and friends, who didn't bother to point out to my tired brain that there were only five things in the above list.
1. That every accident doesn't result in a broken bone.
2. For my home teacher, whose wife makes yummy brownies.
3. To Olive Garden for cheap lunch dates with friends.
4. For the big bug on the door so Andrew could willingly go to school to show it.
5. To my husband and the chocolate he left on the top shelf of the fridge last night.
6. To my family and friends, who didn't bother to point out to my tired brain that there were only five things in the above list.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Weekly Report for August 30
1. Home- still a tornado. But I have a plan, a system, a written out routine for all of us. 2 hrs a day of cleaning- 1 hr for keep up, and one hour for catch up, to be replaced with projects later. Going with the daily docket from "simple mom" and the household binder and mom space from "JOY". This week's goal: organize living room to accommodate new compact corner unit desk so I can move the computer out to the living room (need to be able to keep an eye on the kids) and turn the office room into Andy's room.
2. Fitness- made it to the gym 4 of 5 days. Drum roll please- I have lost 8 pounds since returning home from vacation 6 weeks ago. Yeah me! If I could have the willpower to cut out the ice cream and chocolate chip cookies it would be more. Still can't get into my "old clothes" yet.
3. Spirit- Found new plan for family scripture study to implement tomorrow. Involves waking up 15 minutes earlier- I hope it works. Going to start Book of Mormon over tomorrow and start reading it with Lenna at night to fill her homework reading requirement. Hope to find a sitter and spend my 30th birthday at the temple.
4. Education- I learned to knit at enrichment Saturday. Have plan for square-foot garden to implement after house caught up, probably for spring plants. Going to try new recipe with the kids this week.
5. Family- Going to take my kids to the pool this week. Going to start getting up in the morning with Mike as often as I can. I think the few minutes together will make a difference. Starting with 2 letters/cards/emails per week to far away relatives. Sept is birthday month, so it will be just cards this month.
I am still feeling motivated. So far, so good.
2. Fitness- made it to the gym 4 of 5 days. Drum roll please- I have lost 8 pounds since returning home from vacation 6 weeks ago. Yeah me! If I could have the willpower to cut out the ice cream and chocolate chip cookies it would be more. Still can't get into my "old clothes" yet.
3. Spirit- Found new plan for family scripture study to implement tomorrow. Involves waking up 15 minutes earlier- I hope it works. Going to start Book of Mormon over tomorrow and start reading it with Lenna at night to fill her homework reading requirement. Hope to find a sitter and spend my 30th birthday at the temple.
4. Education- I learned to knit at enrichment Saturday. Have plan for square-foot garden to implement after house caught up, probably for spring plants. Going to try new recipe with the kids this week.
5. Family- Going to take my kids to the pool this week. Going to start getting up in the morning with Mike as often as I can. I think the few minutes together will make a difference. Starting with 2 letters/cards/emails per week to far away relatives. Sept is birthday month, so it will be just cards this month.
I am still feeling motivated. So far, so good.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Two out of three?
One of my goals is to provide healthy meals that my kids actually like. I need a teacher. Or a year-supply of chicken nuggets. Either will work for me. Anyway, this is what we are eating.
Monday- chicken nugget day, with baby carrots and canned fruit. I had no energy and no time. But they ate everything I put in front of them.
Tuesday- chicken alfredo with veggies (one of those microwave in the bag meals). I thought it was going to be a hit. My kids usually love pasta and alfredo sauce. I liked it, Becca liked it, Andrew wouldn't touch it, and Lenna just picked out the pasta. Will have to try it again another night when they aren't so cranky (it was ballet day).
Wednesday- pork chops, rice, peaches, and pizza zucchini boats. I was feeling proud that I had made a "real" dinner. Lenna tried everything, then made herself a sandwich. Andrew ate everything but the zucchini then finished with a bowl of cereal. Becca loves rice by the handful and cheesy zucchini. Lenna was cranky, she usually eats all of that stuff. Thought for sure calling zucchini a pizza boat would sell it, but they wouldn't even touch it.
Thursday- need to make something up to do with frozen chicken breast or ground beef, preferably in the croc-pot. Thinking meatballs. They usually eat those.
Friday- dinner with daddy. I feel pressure to produce a meal worthy of adult consumption. Will let you know how it goes. Chinese chicken stir fry? Grilled something? Stand-by taco salad?
Saturday- picnic at the pool one last time. PB&J's all around.
Sunday- breakfast for dinner day. Waffles or apple pancakes. Leaning towards pancakes.
Monday- chicken nugget day, with baby carrots and canned fruit. I had no energy and no time. But they ate everything I put in front of them.
Tuesday- chicken alfredo with veggies (one of those microwave in the bag meals). I thought it was going to be a hit. My kids usually love pasta and alfredo sauce. I liked it, Becca liked it, Andrew wouldn't touch it, and Lenna just picked out the pasta. Will have to try it again another night when they aren't so cranky (it was ballet day).
Wednesday- pork chops, rice, peaches, and pizza zucchini boats. I was feeling proud that I had made a "real" dinner. Lenna tried everything, then made herself a sandwich. Andrew ate everything but the zucchini then finished with a bowl of cereal. Becca loves rice by the handful and cheesy zucchini. Lenna was cranky, she usually eats all of that stuff. Thought for sure calling zucchini a pizza boat would sell it, but they wouldn't even touch it.
Thursday- need to make something up to do with frozen chicken breast or ground beef, preferably in the croc-pot. Thinking meatballs. They usually eat those.
Friday- dinner with daddy. I feel pressure to produce a meal worthy of adult consumption. Will let you know how it goes. Chinese chicken stir fry? Grilled something? Stand-by taco salad?
Saturday- picnic at the pool one last time. PB&J's all around.
Sunday- breakfast for dinner day. Waffles or apple pancakes. Leaning towards pancakes.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
5 Things
I am thankful for the chance to serve my friends. I have been on the receiving end so long, it was nice to give something back.
I am thankful that Rebecca didn't cry the whole time she was in the nursery today so I could exercise.
I am thankful that we are able to provide Lenna the chance to learn to dance.
I am thankful that the shoe store I browsed in today didn't have anything I liked in my size so I couldn't buy five pairs and then suffer from shopper's remorse.
I am thankful Andrew had a good day at school and was happy when I picked him up, even though he was sad when I left.
I am thankful that Rebecca didn't cry the whole time she was in the nursery today so I could exercise.
I am thankful that we are able to provide Lenna the chance to learn to dance.
I am thankful that the shoe store I browsed in today didn't have anything I liked in my size so I couldn't buy five pairs and then suffer from shopper's remorse.
I am thankful Andrew had a good day at school and was happy when I picked him up, even though he was sad when I left.
Monday, August 24, 2009
What is Operation Joy?
Operation JOY is my new personal quest for, well, joy.
This past year has been a real struggle for me, and I am finally feeling motivated and energized enough to set up some new routines and habits that will bring some joy to my life.
No more waiting until the next phase- after the kids start school, after Mike graduates, after I lose 20 pounds, after we get a bigger house, after... what? After my life is over? No thanks. So I am trying to set up some systems to make it easier for me to enjoy my life now. How? Just Organize Yourself. This will be a place to set goals, track progress, and share results!
I have five basic areas that I need to organize:
1. Home
2. Fitness
3. Spirituality
4. Education
5. Family
1. First, my house. 2 years of working, a move, and a new baby have thrown things into chaos (can't have anyone over syndrome). Time to de-clutter, organize, deep clean, and keep clean. And time to share the load and let everyone who lives here start taking some responsibility for their own stuff! I have never been enthusiastic about my role as a homemaker, but I am ready to step up and embrace my role as keeper of our home. Cooking, cleaning, and creating will be chronicled in this section.
I want my house to feel like home- a place to feel peace, a place to relax, and place to have fun and grow as a family, a safe-haven from the outside world where the Spirit of the Lord dwells.
2. Next, my body. Four kids and a year of inactivity due to pregnancy and the Georgia summer have taken their toll on my body. My metabolism has changed and I can no longer get away with eating the junk I used to. A new exercise routine, healthier eating habits, and a determination to fit into my old jeans are to be chronicled here.
3. Next, spiritual things. Time to re-read the Book of Mormon, strengthen my testimony, and magnify my calling. Now that baby is old enough to go without nursing for several hours and will take a bottle, I have no reason to not be at the temple regularly. I am making a renewed effort to be a good example for my children, to hold regular home evenings, family prayer and scripture study, and make our home a learning place.
4. Next, education. Not more formal schooling, at least for me. My learning will be done outside the classroom. I want to read more good books. I want to finish all those projects sitting in the closet, not quite completed. I want to learn to do simple home repairs. I want to grow a garden. I want to learn another language. I want to find something that I can be passionate about. I want to make sure my free time is filled with meaningful things and not simply things "to pass the time". No letting my brain "turn smushy" as my kids would say. I will share what I am learning here.
5. Finally, family. I have a big family. I have many roles to play in it- wife, mother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, in-law, aunt. I can do better at all of them. I want to be better at keeping in touch with far-away relatives and building relationships with those who I am not close to. I want to keep my marriage strong. I want to find joy in my role as a mother and learn to have more fun with my children. My adventures in my many roles will be shared in this section.
So there you have it. Operation JOY. Wish me luck- leave a comment! Want to help? Share an idea! Want to come along? Join me in your own operation joy and become a contributor.
Time to get started!
Jannet
This past year has been a real struggle for me, and I am finally feeling motivated and energized enough to set up some new routines and habits that will bring some joy to my life.
No more waiting until the next phase- after the kids start school, after Mike graduates, after I lose 20 pounds, after we get a bigger house, after... what? After my life is over? No thanks. So I am trying to set up some systems to make it easier for me to enjoy my life now. How? Just Organize Yourself. This will be a place to set goals, track progress, and share results!
I have five basic areas that I need to organize:
1. Home
2. Fitness
3. Spirituality
4. Education
5. Family
1. First, my house. 2 years of working, a move, and a new baby have thrown things into chaos (can't have anyone over syndrome). Time to de-clutter, organize, deep clean, and keep clean. And time to share the load and let everyone who lives here start taking some responsibility for their own stuff! I have never been enthusiastic about my role as a homemaker, but I am ready to step up and embrace my role as keeper of our home. Cooking, cleaning, and creating will be chronicled in this section.
I want my house to feel like home- a place to feel peace, a place to relax, and place to have fun and grow as a family, a safe-haven from the outside world where the Spirit of the Lord dwells.
2. Next, my body. Four kids and a year of inactivity due to pregnancy and the Georgia summer have taken their toll on my body. My metabolism has changed and I can no longer get away with eating the junk I used to. A new exercise routine, healthier eating habits, and a determination to fit into my old jeans are to be chronicled here.
3. Next, spiritual things. Time to re-read the Book of Mormon, strengthen my testimony, and magnify my calling. Now that baby is old enough to go without nursing for several hours and will take a bottle, I have no reason to not be at the temple regularly. I am making a renewed effort to be a good example for my children, to hold regular home evenings, family prayer and scripture study, and make our home a learning place.
4. Next, education. Not more formal schooling, at least for me. My learning will be done outside the classroom. I want to read more good books. I want to finish all those projects sitting in the closet, not quite completed. I want to learn to do simple home repairs. I want to grow a garden. I want to learn another language. I want to find something that I can be passionate about. I want to make sure my free time is filled with meaningful things and not simply things "to pass the time". No letting my brain "turn smushy" as my kids would say. I will share what I am learning here.
5. Finally, family. I have a big family. I have many roles to play in it- wife, mother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, in-law, aunt. I can do better at all of them. I want to be better at keeping in touch with far-away relatives and building relationships with those who I am not close to. I want to keep my marriage strong. I want to find joy in my role as a mother and learn to have more fun with my children. My adventures in my many roles will be shared in this section.
So there you have it. Operation JOY. Wish me luck- leave a comment! Want to help? Share an idea! Want to come along? Join me in your own operation joy and become a contributor.
Time to get started!
Jannet
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