Weekly Menu

One of my "New Year's Resolutions" (if that's what you call those lofty goals?) is to be very organized, and stay very organized.  I really do love organizing a drawer, closet, room, but keeping it that way is hard stuff.

Part of my organization is sticking to my meal planning.  Some weeks I do fantastic as this, others not so well.  I can't tell you how much more smoothly the weeks go where I have a plan.  It doesn't mean we must eat what's on the menu for Tuesday night, but I know exactly what to grocery shop for (saving oodles of money with a very specific list!!), I am able to thaw meat ahead of time, and at least know we have the fixings for that meal, whether is be Tuesday night or Wednesday night.  It helps me not have a hodge podge of crap in the pantry that doesn't end up going together, continually being shoved to the back.  Having a meal plan is so worth it.  Sticking with it is too.

So, this week's menu:
Monday: Chicken fajitas (thank you Fareway!)
Tuesday: Pasta bake & homemade bread (bread machine)
Wednesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Thursday: Lawnmower taco
Friday: Baked Potatoes with fixin's (bacon, cheese, etc.) & smoothies

Extras:
An apple/oatmeal...basically apple crisp... crock pot breakfast one morning.
Bran muffins as breakfast/Maleah's lunch/snacks.

I'm excited to get back on track.  I'm actually feeling like cooking (hallelujah!) and love the comfort it brings my family to have a good meal on the table every night. 

Good eats; here we go!!

We're Back!

After an unintended blog hiatus, I am attempting to be back.  In all areas of my life, really. 

I refuse to complain about being pregnant and sick, because I know there are so many women who would do just about anything to throw up every single day.  I feel so blessed to be able to have babies, yet guilty that I have babies, thankful that I feel horrible as it serves as my daily reminder that I am carrying child, yet guilty and emotionally exhausted that I am SO sick and tired of being sick and tired.  Really, I've been a bit of an emotional basket case lately. 

So, what have we been up to?  It feels like not much, yet so much!  Unfortunately, I haven't done awesome at documenting it.  Here's my attempt at what we've been up to:

Charlie got all of his Daddy's tractors from when he was a little boy!  It may have been the best night of this little brother's life.  I love that these tractors mean so much, coming from Dallas.  There are lots of memories and hours put into all these machines, and Charlie is keeping the legacy rolling.  So, so sweet.

We had this little buddy for a day.  It was so, so fun!  He toddled around like no one's business, played and played, smiled and smiled, and was an absolute joy.

Meet Mr. Cow!

Meet Layla??  We aren't real sure what she was, other than Layla.  Sparkly, not making much sense, but cute and fun!

Meet Ariel!

The crew trick-or-treating!

We've had a lot of get-togethers.  Old friends, small group, new friends.  Good times.

This little school girl is doing awesome.  Time to get all bundled up in the morning. 

Oh, Charlie.  He loves to "do dishes."  Uh huh.  "Make a big ol' mess" is more like it.  But, I've kind of resorted to the fact that it's a great activity for him that keeps him busy for quite some time.

These two are finally getting to be pals!  They are loving to read lately, which was been such a treat.  And, so nice for me when I don't feel like running around after them.

Spent a day with my college friends.  Four out of five of us are pregnant!  It was such a fun day! 

What I don't have to show for: hearts at home conference (soooo good!!), and one of my best gal pals from small group having brain surgery.  We spent a long day at the hospital, passing time with friends and her family, and got to see Stacy that night.  She did awesome!  We have been amazed by her recovery thus far.  That same day, another girl from our MOPS group found out her little 2-year-old son has brain cancer (same hospital as Stacy, same surgeon as Stacy!).  Thank the Lord, we were there that day.  We were able to pray with her and just be with her.  I can't imagine.  Absolutely can't.  Between Stacy and Courtney & Aidan, it was such an emotional day.  We got in the car to come home, and I felt like I was just going to bust into sobbing.  So much going on, but how amazing to see God work through it all.

The very next day I went to the Hearts at Home Conference with some MOPS girls.  It was so fantastic, and just what I needed; encouragement, girl time, and people boosting us up in our role as mommy.  I'll blog soon about what I all learned.

So, there ya have it.  Let's see how long (or short!) of time it takes me to check back in.  :)

Train Ride.

Awhile back, we bid on Boone train tickets and some Thomas the Train items at a silent auction/benefit and won (isn't winning so exciting!).  Naturally, we put them into the drawer and forget about them until, oh, this week.  And good thing since they expire, oh, next week.

We picked up Maleah from school at 11:30 today.  She thought it was awesome possum having us at school, and they were all squealing with excitement for our big adventure for the day.

When we arrived at the train station, we soon realized we should have brought snacks.  There were lots of people, and I wasn't about to let my 2-year-old ruin everyone else's trip.  Dallas made a trek over to Casey's for essentials (you know, junk food) and we checked out the train museum.

Checking out the real-deal trains!

Best picture of the 3 of them I could get.  Humph.

That's my boy.  A building full to the brim of trains, and he finds the one and only backhoe to play with.

Boarding the train was probably about as exciting as the ride itself.  The kids love tickets.  The conductor was wearing his hat, punched their tickets, and they got to find a seat.  Charlie marched his way right on without us, zoomed past the conductor, and when we got on he was cozy as could be.  Nevermind a new adventure where he might need Mom and Dad.

Ready to board!

Let's roll!!

Ready for take off.

The train tooted its whistle, and away it went.  It was so fun to see the kids so excited.  It just felt like the train and whole process was bigger than life to them.  I love that about children.  They sure keep you grounded, don't they.

I adore this photo.

Checking out the scenes!

2 weeks ago, this would have been breath taking with all the color.  Most of the trees' leaves were gone, but it was still absolutely beautiful!

This was so fun.  Waiting for this little guy to come pull us back to town.  They honked their horn as they went by and all the kids just started with huge eyes.

The ride was 1 hour, 45 minutes.  The kids did remarkably well.  A little coloring, snacking, reading, and 4-wheeling for Charlie filled in the anxious gaps.

Layla looking for nests, water, deer, and carved out tree stumps.

The landscape was so beautiful.

This cracks me up.  It's as if they are studying the soil type, or what kind of tree it is, or how old the deer was we saw. 

Sweetness.

We were on an enormously huge bridge.  While it was fun and pretty, I prefered to be on level ground.

Maleah absolutely loved this.  She wants to go again with her cousin, Asher, who is enthralled with trains.  Such a treat.

After the train ride, we went to eat at Hickory Park, then headed home.  It was the perfect day, and just the pick me up I needed.  I've been feeling so tired and icky, and very unsocial like (wanting to hibernate at home).  But a day with my favorite people?  Absolutely nothing tops it.

Big Announcement!

Yep!  We are pregnant!!

Again, we were surprised (well, we know how it happens), and absolutely thrilled!  We are so excited to be expecting again, with all the anticipation and joy it brings.  We feel absolutely honored to be carrying life, and know it is a gift.  We look forward to meeting the little bundle the end of May, and bringing up this child to know, love, and serve Jesus and others.  What a privelege.

The age old question; how are you feeling?  Uh, ok.  Thankfully, each pregnancy I seem to feel better.  Having said that, I certainly do not feel good.  I am beyond exhausted.  Cooking is way out of my radar, raw meat is a sure puke, and I nap nearly everyday.  But, it seems very tolerable this go around.  I haven't decided if it's because I don't have the self pity time with being busy with three little ones, if I am taking better care of myself via lots of sleep/fitness/nutrition, or if I'm just being blessed!  No matter the case, I am thankful to not be constantly sick, but sure look forward to feeling normal again.

The girls are so excited, and want to be very involved.  Charlie, on the other hand, says "Noooo!  Me baby!"  He has no comprehension, but what he does understand is that right now he rules as baby boy. 

Thank you for sharing in our joy!  We can't wait until spring, and look forward to meeting precious baby face to face.

Farmer boy Charlie.

When we found out we were pregnant with a boy, I know Dallas was thrilled with the thought of a little sidekick.  But, I think we both had no idea just how crazy he would be about all things tractor!

From the moment this little man wakes up, it's straight to his dresser for a tractor shirt.  To wear anything else truly is a big battle.  Then, it's down the stairs and directly to his tractors.  They eat with him, sleep with him, go in the car with him.  He is nuts about tractors! 

Semi riding with Daddy.

Hi Mommy!

My meals on wheels crew.  A favorite part of fall!

Supper in the field with Daddy.

Playing tractor in the cornfield.

Combining at lunch.

Hauling loads at breakfast.

All...day....long.  Wheeling the big green machines around.

I'm not sure that Charlie will always be so into tractors, but I want to remember the year he turned two and his love for things with wheels; from trucks and cars,to tractors, tractor clothes, and books about transportation.

school & church & harvest.

Things are jiving well here. 

School: Everyone asks how Maleah is doing with school.  The answer is: spectacular!  She is loving it, and looks forward to going Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Her favorite things about school were no surprise to me; music and art.  While I haven't had to battle a day of school, her favorite part of the day is coming home.  Maleah is my home body.  She appreciates quiet (the bus is too loud for her!), and likes to be home where she is comfortable and peaceful.  I'm thankful for our school transition and how well it has gone.

Church: We started MOPS and The Grove this past week.  Joy!  These days are my favorite days of the week.  I have learned so much from friends and fellow mommies, and look forward to growing as daughter of Christ and mommy.  I am doing the study Nehemiah, about having a heart that breaks for the things that break His heart.  I am anxious to see what God has in store.  The first day was already fantastic, and very convicting. 

Harvest: Well, it was a rough start.  Dallas finally, for the first time, was at the field yesterday. He spent the first many days fixing and fixing and fixing.  Last year went without a hitch, from start day to end day, so it was expected to have a few hiccups now and again.  Trouble with the combine a few times, endless amount of dryer trouble, and not so great yields gave a rocky start, but they seem to be cruising now.  It's a fun time of year, and while we don't see much of Daddy, I am so grateful he loves his job so much.

cousins and best friends.

The last couple weeks of summer we had the chance to be with my sisters and kids two times!  Oh joy.  I absolutely adore my nieces and nephews.  Every single one of them is such a treasure to me, so to see them all together, the goodness is multiplied!  The kids feel the same way I do about them; love, love, love. 

Picnic at Grundy County Lake!

Meeting my newest niece, Julia, for the first time. She is darling as can be.

The kids played and played and played.  Good, old fashioned, fun!

Working hard...

Cutie-patooties ready for a bike ride!

Nana and Papa relaxing and watching all the little people that came from them.  Amazing!

Beautiful evening.

There they are!  All 11 of them!

New baby sweetness. Love.

Labor Day weekend we had the chance to rendezvous again!  Mark and Erica were in the Des Moines area, and if they are only two hours away, we must see them!  We overnighted at a hotel with a fun water park.  It was a blast!!

Charlie was certain he was Captain of the ship.  He would sit there and direct traffic, until he decided it was his turn.  Then, he stepped right in front of everyone and down he came.  Okay, Mr. Boss.

Here comes Charlie and Daddy!

The triplets!

Goodness.  This is cute.

What do ya know...Dallas is chaperone in the hot tub.

Goooo!!!

Birthday boy and little fishy, Charlie!

Best buddies!

Pals!

We celebrated Charlie's 2nd birthday at the hotel.  Tractor cake and a happy little boy!

What sweet memories the kids are making.  They are so blessed to have each other!