milk guzzler extraordinaire.
even though you make big messes.
I love the funny little things you do, like trying to 'blow' up this beachball.
my little thumbsucker.
How much I am loving these days at home with our boy.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
the weekend
So this weekend was busy, and we thought maybe it would be a costly one too.
First I planned out my grocery trip using my list from my 2 week meal plan. I then figured out how much I thought we'd spend overall. This was after I had researched what was on sale at the stores I would shop at, and what coupons I would be able to use for items on my list. Normally I would not want to spend time shopping at various stores, but because we live sooo close to 2, and because Jonah was home with Oliver, it was worth the travel to different stores. I also recently discovered the joy of Aldis. If you have an Aldi near you I would encourage you to go see what they sell. We've found some great items there with good quality (and few) ingredients on their labels. And the price was great, lower than our other grocery stores. Some great items I picked up included olive oil, cinnamon, fish (wild caught and frozen) and juice for great deals, which is their everyday price. It saved us a lot overall by adding that store into our regular shopping trips. We don't go there as often though since it's a little more of a drive.
But my estimate was around $100 for the two weeks of groceries, and guess what? I came in under that. Around $96. Amazing to me!
Really knowing where you can find things at the best price and not being willing to compromise, or by being flexible enough to rework some items in your meal plan is helpful.
I also was able to use some items we already had at home, so I didn't have to buy absolutely everything.
I may not have had a ton of coupons either, but by shopping smart I was able to get some good deals. And by deals I mean in season, or on sale items. Aldi's doesn't take coupons since all their items are their own brand, but the prices there are so low it's still worth it to add it into your trip.
After my outing, I came home to help Jonah with our washing machine. The day before it seemed to just stop after a cycle and wouldn't drain out and finish. So after some searches online for our model, my handy husband figured out how to take it apart and what pieces to search for the problem. I am amazed at how much we learned by doing this, and how relatively simple it turned out to be.
Thinking it was a clogged drain, or possibly a broken pump, we were prepared to pay for something new. After finding out the drains were not clogged (and several soaking towels later) Jonah popped out the pump to discover a wire was stuck in it. You know what that wire was?
My underwire.
Yah, I never really thought about that happening.
After a little 'ping' noise, the wire popped out and we thought that surely that wasn't the reason the whole machine wasn't working. Surely the pump must have quit, right?
After thinking this through we decided we'd at least try to put it all back together and see if it would run now. This decision was made while we were in the process of almost ordering a new pump.
I had been praying it would be a relatively simple fix and nothing too costly.
Guess what? It worked! It really was just a little wire stuck in the pump system in such a way that it couldn't turn and push the water out.
I am so grateful for how God took care of us in this situation! It's a small thing to some, but when you are living on little (in means of money) every little thing matters, and God reassured us of His provision.
I am seeing this more and more, and when I want to waver and doubt I give it up to Him again, asking for that assurance of His provision, and He answers.
I've started a list of ways He's provided and I can't wait to look back on it in a year. It's so encouraging and continually reassures me of our decison for me to stay home with Oliver.
Speaking of Oliver, today I found him sleeping in such a sweet pose during his nap. I snapped a picture of him, so that I wouldn't forget. Ahh sweet boy, how much we love this little guy!
First I planned out my grocery trip using my list from my 2 week meal plan. I then figured out how much I thought we'd spend overall. This was after I had researched what was on sale at the stores I would shop at, and what coupons I would be able to use for items on my list. Normally I would not want to spend time shopping at various stores, but because we live sooo close to 2, and because Jonah was home with Oliver, it was worth the travel to different stores. I also recently discovered the joy of Aldis. If you have an Aldi near you I would encourage you to go see what they sell. We've found some great items there with good quality (and few) ingredients on their labels. And the price was great, lower than our other grocery stores. Some great items I picked up included olive oil, cinnamon, fish (wild caught and frozen) and juice for great deals, which is their everyday price. It saved us a lot overall by adding that store into our regular shopping trips. We don't go there as often though since it's a little more of a drive.
But my estimate was around $100 for the two weeks of groceries, and guess what? I came in under that. Around $96. Amazing to me!
Really knowing where you can find things at the best price and not being willing to compromise, or by being flexible enough to rework some items in your meal plan is helpful.
I also was able to use some items we already had at home, so I didn't have to buy absolutely everything.
I may not have had a ton of coupons either, but by shopping smart I was able to get some good deals. And by deals I mean in season, or on sale items. Aldi's doesn't take coupons since all their items are their own brand, but the prices there are so low it's still worth it to add it into your trip.
After my outing, I came home to help Jonah with our washing machine. The day before it seemed to just stop after a cycle and wouldn't drain out and finish. So after some searches online for our model, my handy husband figured out how to take it apart and what pieces to search for the problem. I am amazed at how much we learned by doing this, and how relatively simple it turned out to be.
Thinking it was a clogged drain, or possibly a broken pump, we were prepared to pay for something new. After finding out the drains were not clogged (and several soaking towels later) Jonah popped out the pump to discover a wire was stuck in it. You know what that wire was?
My underwire.
Yah, I never really thought about that happening.
After a little 'ping' noise, the wire popped out and we thought that surely that wasn't the reason the whole machine wasn't working. Surely the pump must have quit, right?
After thinking this through we decided we'd at least try to put it all back together and see if it would run now. This decision was made while we were in the process of almost ordering a new pump.
I had been praying it would be a relatively simple fix and nothing too costly.
Guess what? It worked! It really was just a little wire stuck in the pump system in such a way that it couldn't turn and push the water out.
I am so grateful for how God took care of us in this situation! It's a small thing to some, but when you are living on little (in means of money) every little thing matters, and God reassured us of His provision.
I am seeing this more and more, and when I want to waver and doubt I give it up to Him again, asking for that assurance of His provision, and He answers.
I've started a list of ways He's provided and I can't wait to look back on it in a year. It's so encouraging and continually reassures me of our decison for me to stay home with Oliver.
Speaking of Oliver, today I found him sleeping in such a sweet pose during his nap. I snapped a picture of him, so that I wouldn't forget. Ahh sweet boy, how much we love this little guy!
 |
| both of his hands are up by his face, so sweet |
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Meal planning and chalks
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| precious kisses from Oliver! |
Just kidding... kind of.
I had it in my mind today that I was going to do the one thing that I am horrible at- meal planning.
Some women are so wonderful at this. They love love love getting into charts and lists and little details.
Me on the other hand, well I would rather have a book of images to browse through and choose what we'll eat that way (hence, go to the store and buy for the week by what I see then make meals at home, which equals another trip to the store to pick up a couple things I missed....and so on).
I'm such a visual person. I guess thats why I loved Pinterest almost immediately, it's so inspiring and feeds into my way of learning and thinking.
But thats another post to come.
So, for meal planning, I have figured out that I love to buy what is in season first- which means half of our groceries each week are produce. I like to make meals that are nutritious, whole foods based which means not using processed and refined foods.
Now I am not 100% unprocessed. We still buy condiments, salad dressings, pastas and breads, and a variety of other things. But I have learned to be conscientious about what the ingredient list is, and this helps me narrow down our choices even further, because I opt for things that don't have heaps of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, lots of soy product and weird chemicals. We are not all organic. Hardly. If I could swing more organic items into our weekly groceries I would in a heartbeat, but I am okay with buying seasonally for our foods because it has the most nutritional value anyways. Yes maybe some pesticides too, but I have realized I have to compromise somewhere and right now in this season in our lives it's going to be there.
I have realized how quickly you can be obsessed with food choices when you switch to more wholefood all natural items. The more you learn about food, where it comes from, how it's made can completely consume you. I have to take baby steps in this area, pray for wisdom in the decisions I do make, and guard my eyes, and time in the matter.
With that being said, I sat down and made a point of finishing this huge chore! I prayed my way through it too, knowing I have a tendency to get discouraged and overwhelmed at the task before me.
Soooo, what did I end up doing?
My first item was to organize my menu binder I keep in my kitchen. It's a 3 ring binder that holds printed recipes that I know we like and I know I'll make again. I got this idea from a friend of mine that keeps one in her kitchen for her 2 week rotating meal plans. I liked that idea and saved it for later- and later was today!
 |
| my little tabs- I plan to make real tabs, these are just tape |
My plan is to switch it out with fall recipes as we enter that season, and as the foods change in the store. So, once I had that to my liking I then started on my meal plan. Yes the dreaded meal plan.
Instead of doing a full 2 weeks, I kind of cheated and only did one full week, and plan on doubling the recipes to freeze and eat the next week. Because it took so much time just for one week, I'm glad I did this.
I found a handy dandy little sheet to write out our breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. You can find that here: money saving mom
I used the seven day meal planner that has a square for each category. So handy, and not something I would have come up with myself.
I used my menu book to choose my recipes, and also loved that there was a place for snacks on my list so that I can include this in my grocery shopping. I have a tendency to be a snacker, and Oliver gets one snack a day too, so this was great to think of.
Once my menu was done I then decided to make an itemized grocery list. Are we feeling like we are in home ec class now?
But once I had that done, I was glad to have made it. NOW I can compare what I need to what is on sale in my grocery stores and what coupons I can use to match up to them. Useful sight for that: southern savers. Sorry to all you northerners, I don't think you have the stores listed on this sight. I wish there was something like this for all those that shop in different parts of the country.
Is it all worth it? I am hoping yes. I plan to keep this finished menu and list for future use, when I can rotate it back into our meals. I would like to make another 2 week menu and just swap them back and forth.
I did all this while Oliver was napping. I was also able to get some dusting, vacuuming and mopping done. It's an amazing thing this scheduling stuff.
 |
| our beautiful masterpiece |
I have really been enjoying being home with this little guy. It's challenging, thats for sure. We are working on NO quite often, and it can be tiring when you again have to say no to something that you JUST said no to a minute before. I am praying over each day, and as the weariness sets in and I feel a little undone, I pray again. Truly God is helping me as I train up this little man. And then Jonah comes home. Yah!! It's wonderful when he walks through the door and Oliver smiles adoringly up at him and says, "da da". Precious are these days.
Our little baby is no longer, he's now a boy, a toddler and I am loving this stage. He is so smart and learns so quickly I am amazed to watch it all. No walking yet, for which I am kind of glad. I know that once he gets up on those rolly thighs, the baby-ness will be gone. Savoring these days!
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| love this boy. please excuse the window that NEEDS to be cleaned! |
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Schedule
I did it.
I sat down and made a schedule.
I searched online for some schedule tips from stay at home moms and I stumbled upon this site. She has jotted out scheduling that has helped her, and she also offers so many valuable tips to organizing things. I added her to my blog feed, grateful to have found a Christian mom that offers her insights.
I also searched google documents for a template. Did you know Google offers this? I have a gmail account so by logging in I have access to many Google things. There are so many different templates to choose from, I wonder why I didn't realize this years ago! There are even home budgeting ones, if you need it.
I thought this was a better option for me versus writing up my schedule in an excel sheet. Being creative, programs like Excel and Microsoft Word really confuse me. I would much rather open Indesign and Illustrator and make something there. But using the Google docs saved me some time, I just found one I liked and plugged in my schedule.
It's still being worked out but I made a loose weekly one, plugging in what I know we do everyday, along with things I need to do and things I would like to do. How is it going? Well, we are kind of at day two and I have already gone off the grid. But I'm happy to have started somewhere. Thats often the hardest part of doing something new.
Yesterday I followed it pretty well. I planned out an activity with Oliver and I even prepped for it, waiting for lunch to be over so we could jump in. I also made some creative time, just to do something with my hands. I loved adding that in, because I actually finished a project! I had time for cleaning, which got done earlier than I thought- wonder of wonders- which made more time for other things on my list. I really do love how much time is freed up when you plan it. It's an amazing thing to me. When I don't plan it feels like I don't accomplish things. But planning is a learned trait and I'm learning it all the time.
Today started out earlier than yesterday because it was Jonah's first day of school! Up bright and early with him, so I was able to see him off. Being up and having eaten earlier than usual, I was able to rearrange my day already. Laundry was put in, hoping to finish it today. And I had devotions before Oliver got up. Once he was up, since it was still earlier than usual, I felt the need to take a nice walk while the weather wasn't too hot. It was wonderful to do this early in the day, just to enjoy the outdoors and talk with God. I needed that time to keep my mind and heart open to what He is speaking.
And now here I am with some quiet hours before me, while Oliver naps. I think it's time to go see what my schedule is for the day. I have a few changes that need to be made already.
Here are some shots from yesterdays creative endeavors.
For my activity with Oliver, I got out my watercolors and some illustration board. He loved playing in the paints and slapping his hands on the board! This is his very first painting- I love it! I then cut out an elephant shape in some cardstock, to mask the painting. I trimmed it to 8x10 to fit a standard frame, and voila, ready to hang.
For my creative project I found some inspiration on Pinterest (I'll post about that another time) and made a rosette bracelet. Cute, but I think I'll modify it next time! Happy back to school Wednesday!
I sat down and made a schedule.
I searched online for some schedule tips from stay at home moms and I stumbled upon this site. She has jotted out scheduling that has helped her, and she also offers so many valuable tips to organizing things. I added her to my blog feed, grateful to have found a Christian mom that offers her insights.
I also searched google documents for a template. Did you know Google offers this? I have a gmail account so by logging in I have access to many Google things. There are so many different templates to choose from, I wonder why I didn't realize this years ago! There are even home budgeting ones, if you need it.
I thought this was a better option for me versus writing up my schedule in an excel sheet. Being creative, programs like Excel and Microsoft Word really confuse me. I would much rather open Indesign and Illustrator and make something there. But using the Google docs saved me some time, I just found one I liked and plugged in my schedule.
It's still being worked out but I made a loose weekly one, plugging in what I know we do everyday, along with things I need to do and things I would like to do. How is it going? Well, we are kind of at day two and I have already gone off the grid. But I'm happy to have started somewhere. Thats often the hardest part of doing something new.
Yesterday I followed it pretty well. I planned out an activity with Oliver and I even prepped for it, waiting for lunch to be over so we could jump in. I also made some creative time, just to do something with my hands. I loved adding that in, because I actually finished a project! I had time for cleaning, which got done earlier than I thought- wonder of wonders- which made more time for other things on my list. I really do love how much time is freed up when you plan it. It's an amazing thing to me. When I don't plan it feels like I don't accomplish things. But planning is a learned trait and I'm learning it all the time.
Today started out earlier than yesterday because it was Jonah's first day of school! Up bright and early with him, so I was able to see him off. Being up and having eaten earlier than usual, I was able to rearrange my day already. Laundry was put in, hoping to finish it today. And I had devotions before Oliver got up. Once he was up, since it was still earlier than usual, I felt the need to take a nice walk while the weather wasn't too hot. It was wonderful to do this early in the day, just to enjoy the outdoors and talk with God. I needed that time to keep my mind and heart open to what He is speaking.
And now here I am with some quiet hours before me, while Oliver naps. I think it's time to go see what my schedule is for the day. I have a few changes that need to be made already.
Here are some shots from yesterdays creative endeavors.
For my activity with Oliver, I got out my watercolors and some illustration board. He loved playing in the paints and slapping his hands on the board! This is his very first painting- I love it! I then cut out an elephant shape in some cardstock, to mask the painting. I trimmed it to 8x10 to fit a standard frame, and voila, ready to hang.
For my creative project I found some inspiration on Pinterest (I'll post about that another time) and made a rosette bracelet. Cute, but I think I'll modify it next time! Happy back to school Wednesday!
final piece!
the masked frame final piece!
my bracelet. I love this color!
Monday, August 8, 2011
the stay at home mom
Oh Oliver.
Looks like my hands will be full! (little stinker climbed up while my back was turned)
Last week was the first time I was officially home alone with Oliver as a 'stay at home mom'. My hearts desire was fulfilled so graciously by the Lord. He answered 'yes' to my request after Jonah and I took it to Him in prayer. He answered 'yes' in a very real and big way. It was awesome, and humbled me, to think that He does listen, and He does answer sometimes in a very big way. And He does love us so very much.
Now here I am living it out. Wow! There were moments when my brain kept skipping ahead, thinking I would have to do this or that to prepare for the next day, when I realized that I would be home to actually do that the next day. These moments happened when I thought about Oliver too. That almost too good to be true feeling that I would often dream about in the past, is happening now!
I have so many plans for things I want to teach him, train him, show him.
Now as I am getting into this new role daily, I am finding that there is one problem. No clear schedule yet.
I'm not a big schedule person- at least a very detailed exact one. When it comes to Oliver, I have always worked to keep him on a schedule and I found that this was the very best thing for him. He thrives on it. Consistency is key to happiness.
Clever hmm? I just made that one up. But really I believe it has played a huge part in his content attitude. He knows when he'll eat, when he'll nap, when he'll go to bed.
Now throw me into the equation.
What exactly do my days entail? I haven't been consistent. I have a list of things in my mind that need to be done. I have the everyday things that need to be done too. I have the list of activities I want to do with Oliver. I want to have time just playing with him. But I also want him to know that I won't be able to play all day long.
I didn't realize really how important it was to plan out things. I don't feel productive when I bounce from task to task, and don't get to finish one.
So my goal and prayer for now is to get a daily schedule. To actually write it out loosely and stick to it for at least a week or two. I know this will not only benefit me, but Oliver as well. He'll learn to go with it, just like he did for his own schedule.
Oh organization you kill me.
Perhaps this is one area that God knew I needed to work on, and now it's staring at me in the face!
So my venture begins. I'm thrilled to be there for Oliver. To be there for Jonah. In a very different way than I ever have. Opening these new doors wide open, into faith, learning and motherhood.
Looks like my hands will be full! (little stinker climbed up while my back was turned)
Now here I am living it out. Wow! There were moments when my brain kept skipping ahead, thinking I would have to do this or that to prepare for the next day, when I realized that I would be home to actually do that the next day. These moments happened when I thought about Oliver too. That almost too good to be true feeling that I would often dream about in the past, is happening now!
I have so many plans for things I want to teach him, train him, show him.
Now as I am getting into this new role daily, I am finding that there is one problem. No clear schedule yet.
I'm not a big schedule person- at least a very detailed exact one. When it comes to Oliver, I have always worked to keep him on a schedule and I found that this was the very best thing for him. He thrives on it. Consistency is key to happiness.
Clever hmm? I just made that one up. But really I believe it has played a huge part in his content attitude. He knows when he'll eat, when he'll nap, when he'll go to bed.
Now throw me into the equation.
What exactly do my days entail? I haven't been consistent. I have a list of things in my mind that need to be done. I have the everyday things that need to be done too. I have the list of activities I want to do with Oliver. I want to have time just playing with him. But I also want him to know that I won't be able to play all day long.
I didn't realize really how important it was to plan out things. I don't feel productive when I bounce from task to task, and don't get to finish one.
So my goal and prayer for now is to get a daily schedule. To actually write it out loosely and stick to it for at least a week or two. I know this will not only benefit me, but Oliver as well. He'll learn to go with it, just like he did for his own schedule.
Oh organization you kill me.
Perhaps this is one area that God knew I needed to work on, and now it's staring at me in the face!
So my venture begins. I'm thrilled to be there for Oliver. To be there for Jonah. In a very different way than I ever have. Opening these new doors wide open, into faith, learning and motherhood.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Spoon
Oliver started sneezing.
Then coughing.
Then a fever.
Sooo, my weekend involved a trip to the library to pick up some new books for him. It's very sad when your little one is sick. You just want to take away any hurt. The sad little cries from him, told both Jonah and I that he wasn't feeling well. I'm not sure if it's teething related or just something he picked up. Either way he wasn't himself- he was actually grumpy and whiny and just wanted to be held.
That is the favorite part. Extra cuddling? Why yes!
I savored the time with him and soaked in the cuddling as it's fewer and farther between these days. He has become sooo much more busy, and vocal, it's all about keeping up with him and letting him exert that energy in his little body.
I picked up several books at the library, but one was so darn cute. It's called "Spoon" and it's about a spoon that has become dissatisfied with his role in life. He envies the other silverware, but in the end comes to realize that his duties are indeed fun- because who else gets to dive into a bowl of icecream? The end punch results in him 'spooning' with his mom and dad. So funny and cute!
I think Oliver really liked it too. We have more books to finish so I'll head off to read to him now- as I'm home with him this Sunday too.
Praying for this little boy to heal up- he seems to be better today with a slight fever. So he's getting there, thankfullly.
Happy Sunday- another new week ahead!
the spoons family!
(enjoying some juicy and ripe plums!)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Still
I have a tendency to go overboard with things.
Things that I love, things I'm passionate about, things that I really want to be a part of. I think my eagerness to dive in sometimes takes me in waters up over my head. You know when your swimming in the deep end of the pool and how refreshing it feels in the beginning? In time if you don't head for shallow land you get tired, and you start struggling to keep your head up.
I feel like that right now. I've dived into some passions and thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing and fulfilling waters from them. But I think I've been in the deep end too long, I need rest. I need simplicity, for a short while again.
Staying at home with Oliver has been so wonderful for sooo many reasons, one being it's right where I know I am supposed to be. There is a peace and assurance in this decision.
With this though, there was much opportunity to tackle other passions that have not had a chance with my work life. Photography, cooking, sewing, creating, writing.
All of these are parts of me that make me tick, make me excited, make me feel like me.
But I jumped in at once, and while it was wonderful at first, I feel like I am getting that burnt out feeling.
Too much!
Rest.
Thats a hard word to me. It means stopping, slowing down, being still. I'm not sure why, but my mind seems to take off in so many different directions that I have a hard time being quiet. Being still.
I take time each day to read in my Bible, to pray over the day. But I know it's not enough.
In our small group we have been talking about making time to go and be still, to be quiet and alone with God. It keeps coming back to mind now as I go through each day trying to get the never ending checklist done. I am losing that closeness to God and I can clearly see that it's me- not Him- that chooses this.
Being still takes an effort- a conscious one. I need to choose when and where I will. And it's hard to do, because I will have to turn off everything else. No cleaning, no cooking, no emailing, no grocery shopping, no playing with Oliver, no phone calls, no this that and all the rest...
Why is it so hard to plan this time? I think that fight alone gives me enough reason to plan it. I think Satan knows how much we need time with our Lord. We need to hear from Him, and in the stillness- we will.
My challenge to me, as we embark on another school year, another crazy schedule, is to not be sooo busy with me myself and I. To make a conscious effort to be still, to allow myself time to be alone, because if I can't be the one God wants me to be, I can't be the wife, mom, sister, daughter and friend that others need. Isn't that the truth?
Things that I love, things I'm passionate about, things that I really want to be a part of. I think my eagerness to dive in sometimes takes me in waters up over my head. You know when your swimming in the deep end of the pool and how refreshing it feels in the beginning? In time if you don't head for shallow land you get tired, and you start struggling to keep your head up.
I feel like that right now. I've dived into some passions and thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing and fulfilling waters from them. But I think I've been in the deep end too long, I need rest. I need simplicity, for a short while again.
Staying at home with Oliver has been so wonderful for sooo many reasons, one being it's right where I know I am supposed to be. There is a peace and assurance in this decision.
With this though, there was much opportunity to tackle other passions that have not had a chance with my work life. Photography, cooking, sewing, creating, writing.
All of these are parts of me that make me tick, make me excited, make me feel like me.
But I jumped in at once, and while it was wonderful at first, I feel like I am getting that burnt out feeling.
Too much!
Rest.
Thats a hard word to me. It means stopping, slowing down, being still. I'm not sure why, but my mind seems to take off in so many different directions that I have a hard time being quiet. Being still.
I take time each day to read in my Bible, to pray over the day. But I know it's not enough.
In our small group we have been talking about making time to go and be still, to be quiet and alone with God. It keeps coming back to mind now as I go through each day trying to get the never ending checklist done. I am losing that closeness to God and I can clearly see that it's me- not Him- that chooses this.
Being still takes an effort- a conscious one. I need to choose when and where I will. And it's hard to do, because I will have to turn off everything else. No cleaning, no cooking, no emailing, no grocery shopping, no playing with Oliver, no phone calls, no this that and all the rest...
Why is it so hard to plan this time? I think that fight alone gives me enough reason to plan it. I think Satan knows how much we need time with our Lord. We need to hear from Him, and in the stillness- we will.
My challenge to me, as we embark on another school year, another crazy schedule, is to not be sooo busy with me myself and I. To make a conscious effort to be still, to allow myself time to be alone, because if I can't be the one God wants me to be, I can't be the wife, mom, sister, daughter and friend that others need. Isn't that the truth?
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