Quick Organizing Project

Every now and then, while running errands, I'll make an impromptu run into Bath and Body Works. Sadly, as I'm leaving with a new candle or lotion, I remember that I had a coupon for a freebie.
Well, no more! I grabbed a mini accordion file while out this morning to solve this problem. Now, I have a file in the car for all those coupons for restaurants, car repairs/oil changes, salons, and specialty stores. Yay!

Do you keep coupons in the car? 

Menu Plan

Note: Please excuse the not-so-exciting posts for a while. My computer died and I'm now searching/saving for a laptop. 

Here is a glance at this week's menu:

Monday: Spaghetti & Salad
Tuesday: Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken w/ Brown Rice
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Slow-Cooked Pot Roast w/Carrots & Potatoes
Friday: Pizza Night
Saturday: Cinco de Mayo! Taco night
Sunday: Leftovers

Yes, please! 

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Fire {Open} House

One year ago today. Can you believe it has been 1 year already since the devastation of the tornado?! WOW.

But, our community knows how to remember that day - open house at the brand new fire department! It was fabulous! And, the fire trucks are pretty awesome. Andy and Alex LOVED every bit of it!

 Checking out some gadgets

 Climbing into the ladder truck. This was Andrew's favorite!

 He didn't really want to get out and he was rather excited about the huge key ring. 

Look really hard and you can see Andy "driving" with Daddy as his partner :)

 Alex getting in on the action

 Fun picture 

 Grill Chill

Andy on another rescue mission in a different truck

 Mini fire chief

 So NOT wanting to get out  

Another fun picture! Love how I got his reflection in the mirror!

 Our beautiful flag flying proudly from the ladder truck!

*I'm sharing this photo with Simple As That*

Called to Witness

FOR ANYONE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH OF EVERY DENOMINATION, PLEASE VIEW THIS MESSAGE. 

Know the candidates before you reach the polls. Know your faith. Know that somethings are much more important that the cost of gas.

 Know the candidates before you reach the polls. Know your faith. Know that somethings are much more important that the cost of gas.

Please make the right choice this November. Protect the gift of life, protect the gift of marriage, and
PROTECT OUR FREEDOM!

*this video was shared by Catholic Mom*

Slam Dunkin' It

Picnics

Despite the weather being...interesting these past few days, we have still gone outside almost every day. And, now that Andrew and Alex have a place to play/eat in the backyard (can I get a "YAY FOR FENCES!"), we have had snack time many days outside.

But that is not all! Andrew asked for dinner outside. I told him that the bugs come out at dinner time and he said, "Lunch outside. Snack outside. Bugs, too." Smart kid, eh? I gave in and we had dinner outside. It was nice to not have to clean up the kitchen :)

 I know - jackets?! It was like 65 at this point of the day.Boys loving their burgers (in a pita b/c there were no buns in the freezer LOL)

And, I enjoyed a salad while laughing with Jason about him sitting at the picnic table. He said he fits fine. I say, we need an awesome patio set. Guess who is going to win? ;)

Learning to Let Go

Something I do not know how to do...

After picking Andy up from school, he was so excited to see me saying, "Mommy, mommy, mommy!" Complete with big smiles and a high five. I asked about his day - "Good, Mommy." A little pause.. "Hotdog? Playground?" Sure.Why not.

As I make the turn to Sonic, I'm mentally rearranging the day, lunch plans, and how on Earth I go to a playground with two little guys. I ask Andy if we can have lunch at home and play in the backyard instead. He replies, "No. Playground and hotdog please, Mommy." Ok. Fine.

I am in jeans and it is 85 outside. I have not 1 stroller in the car. And two little people who have developed a mind of their own. Luckily, we go to the playground that is gated. Still. Last time at the playground, Alex was either in a stroller or the Baby Bjorn...

Everything is going great. Lunch is gobbled up so more time can be put into running about wildly. Andy has really grown up playground-wise. He used to just go down the little itty-bitty slides, play with the bells, or swing.

But no, that was cool for a few moments. This time he went down ALL the slides. I mean ALL of the slides.

I WISH I had gotten a picture of him going down the monster slide(bottom picture - giant red slide of death). But, I was praying the whole time LOL. Seriously. He went down the first 2 slides and, then, said, "Mommy, I go big slide, ok?" Um, WHAT?! I told him that is a really fast slide. He said, "Ok. I go." WHAT?! He lets go of my hand (he was holding it as he told me - it's like he knew that I was the one who was scared - um, which I was) and climbs the ladder, holding the rails. Climbs to the next level. Then the next level. Sits down and GOES! Not a care in the world. He just giggles and bounces the whole way down. OH MY. He bounced into the gravel and was a little shaken up about the landing, but went running off to the next thing. Like it was NO BIG DEAL.

But, that's how things should be, right?

You have to learn to let go of things. From a little person who is holding your hand telling you he's about to take the ride of his 2 year old life to the even smaller things things that stress you out on a day-to-day basis. Just let go. Who care if it is a bumpy ride and/or the outcome isn't exactly how you planned. Just have fun. Let go and have fun.

Amazing what you learn at the playground, huh?

Can I just tell you...I was about to cry when he was coming down the mega slide. I hope he had no idea that I was inwardly freaking out about the possibility of going to the ER. I know...it is just a slide for crying out loud. But that is a huge slide. I was also about to cry because I was so proud of him for going down the "big boy" slide.

That is what he is though, right? A big boy.

Anyway, we had a fun rest of the afternoon at the playground. Alex really enjoyed it, too!

 Climbing to the top 

 So silly! I have no idea what this face is about!

 Mountain man - he used to be nervous here, too.

Being silly with Mommy and Alex

 Enjoying the swings :)

Another mountain climber to-be. 

Linking this story with:
"Let's Hear it for the Boys!"
at:

"Pay it Forward"

at:

A Little Bit of ME Time Goes a Long Way

For the past few weeks, I have started a new routine for myself - waking up at the crack of dawn. Well, I wake up at 5:45 am, so it is just before/right at dawn these days. It was extremely hard the first few days. I had to make myself get off the computer at 9pm telling myself I have to finish that book. Of course, Life of Pi, was an exciting book, so I had to make myself stop reading by 10pm - giving me enough time to get myself in bed by 10:30. Done! I'm now on a great sleep schedule (when I can fall asleep, that is.)

I'm excited to wake up because the morning is so wonderful. It is a different quiet than "nap time quiet." Everyone is still asleep, including our dog. Yes, I LOVE our children and my husband, of course. But, I would love to not be summoned for a moment, you know? I would love to have a peaceful way to start the day instead of rushing people to eat their breakfast to get out the door (or whatever it is that the day calls for that morning). It has been so wonderful.

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Here's my morning:

5:45 am Wake and make a lovely cup of coffee! Sometimes, if I'm lucky TWO CUPS!


While sipping on my coffee, I'm reading a chapter or two of whichever Gospel I'm working on - currently, I'm almost finished with Mark. This is part of my "game changer." (See post here about how Catholics can change the way we are viewed by Catholics and non-Catholics in the modern world. It is quite interesting what I have found out these past few months about what other denominations think about us. Why, I have no clue... But that is another post for another time.)


 
Now that I have time to start my day with God instead of the stresses of motherhood, I can actually think better. Seriously.

If I have time, I catch up on a few emails/blogs.

I get breakfast ready and start the waking of the house LOL

Jason's up by 7-ish and the boys are getting dressed.

I'm dressed and have a clean house. WOW! (I do that the night before - just pick up here and there)

This is only Wednesday, I know. But, this has been the best week ever! I haven't yelled at anyone (except when it's across the house - gotta work on that still) and I am FINALLY starting the process of getting OFF the anti-depressants (No more happy pills?!  What's this all about? see post here).

If you are a mom (or even someone who is under a lot of stress for whatever reason), consider getting up before everyone else. I have NEVER been a morning person - until now. Jason learned over the years to not mess with me if I am sleeping. LOL, I get really annoyed when I'm woken up. Ok, I used to. No, I still do - I think. Not sure really. It's been a while since anyone has woken me up in the middle of the night. And, no. I was never annoyed with the children for waking me - I knew that was going to happen. I mean, the unexpected waking up in the middle of the night stuff. That's annoying.

Anyway, I have learned through this routine change that:

A) I actually get better sleep
B) I get to enjoy 1 full cup of coffee without having to microwave it for even a second.
C) I get to start my day off with God.

Good things, people. Good things.

Where/how do you enjoy your "me time" during the day?

Wordless Wednesday

Weekly Goals

Before I get to sharing this week's goals, just a note:

Don't forget to enter the giveaway I have going on right now to win a great new children's book featuring Super Blake! This giveaway will end on 4/30. 

While you are there, enter your name the 2nd giveaway to win a KINDLE FIRE!! That giveaway will end on 5/31. 

Click here to check out that post!

Goals for this week:

1 hr reading  time with Andy and Alex (this is broken up into smaller times - see here)

1 hr reading time before bed (Yay! I finished Life of Pi and I'm almost done with Rediscover Catholicism. And, I just started War Horse - I want to watch the movie, so I have to read it!)

Morning quiet time for Mama (I love the mornings!!)

Walk 1 hr 3x this week

Run 1 mile 2x this week (but it may be more since I figured out how many times it takes to run the backyard lol)

That's about it for me. What are your goals this week?

Menu Plan

Well, after a few crazy weeks of getting ready for a birthday extravaganza, I finally have a menu to share. Enjoy!

Like my super fun menu? Click here to get this freebie (and others) from Ollibird!

The Simple Things {Happy Earth Day!}

It's not easy being green, but we do enjoy trying!

God created this beautiful home for us. Let's show we are thankful by keeping it that way. 

How do we help?

 ~ Recycle paper, plastic, and cans ~

~ Reusable bags (I hate plastic bags...and I don't need a thousand of them in my house) ~

~ Reuse glass jars for gifts/dry goods/organizing ~

How do you keep it green?

Bubbles!! My Bubbles.

We had a bubble day and it was wild! It reminded me of this clip from Finding Nemo:

Hahaha! That fish really needs some major therapy. Anyway! Yes, we had a bubble day. Alex got a great bubble toy from one of his friends at the party, so we made a Target trip this morning to get some more bubble supplies. And some treats :)

 Yep, Starbucks. And, we have now gotten to the point where they ask for a treat, as well. So, the coffee comes AFTER the shopping part to keep the good behavior going. LOL Luckily, Starbucks has those little packs at the register that have 2 cookies a piece. Shortbread! Yum! 

Nifty bubble blower. Whoever came up with this idea was a genius. Little kids just do not know how to blow the bubbles by themselves. 

Alex checking it out

Andy loving the bubble power

 And the wild is unleashed! 

 Mama getting a bubble bath lol - that was exactly what Andrew said, too!

Alex loved pushing the button to make it go. And, he also loved pouring the bubble solution all over him. Andrew was a great helper though and showed him how to do it a few times.

They LOVED playing with the bubbles together! Andrew kept making them and Alex chased them. It was so funny to watch them both giggle, fall down giggling, get up giggling, and continue running while - wait for it - giggling!! 

Mini Golfers