Family Ties

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I’m a family girl.

Less than 5 months after we got married my family moved away from the town my husband and I were still (and are still) living in. It was sad. It was hard. I missed being around my younger siblings as they grew up and creating day to day memories with them.

But do you know what? I’ve also learned that it’s been good for me. I’m an introvert and I was pushed to grow as a person and do more things for myself.

If I would have lived in the same town as my family for the 6 years since we’ve been married I wouldn’t have had to step out of my comfort zone, let other people me when I’ve needed it, and the need to focus on building relationships with those around me wouldn’t have been there.

It would have been harder for Shaun and me to start our life as a couple and begin our own traditions.

I would have missed having my siblings come stay for weeks at a time and creating memories that way.

The time I am able to spend with them, I appreciate even more. My parents, three of my siblings, and a brother-in-law were all able to come this weekend and it was amazing. Tackling projects together, help with mopping the floor, doing dishes, sorting clothes. Watching them play with the 2 1/2 year old and not yet 2 month old. Family is a special thing.

All that to say, I won’t complain if we ever live closer than 8 hours away. I wouldn’t even mind being in the same town. 🙂

Menu Plan

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It’s been a while since we’ve had a “normal” week around here. Maybe I should just come to the realization that normal weeks with nothing going on are unusual. I think I’m in a state of denial though – I love quiet weeks were I can get lots done.

This weekend has actually been a welcomed (and fun and busy) abnormal one. Part of my family was able to make the drive and stay with us – the first time any of them had met our baby. Kenna loved having her grandparents and aunts and uncles here to entertain her. She’s going to think life around here is boring when they are all gone and she’s stuck with baby brother and mom and dad. 🙂

As far as the menu goes, this weekend has been rather crazy so we are keeping it simple and using what we have the rest of the week.

Breakfasts:

Lunches:

Dinners:

  • Leftovers (x 3)
  • Baked Ziti (from freezer)
  • Grilled Chicken Salad
  • Southwestern Style Salad
  • Quesadillas

Snacks:

  • Ice Cream 
  • Chips
  • Fruit and nuts 

I’m linking up to OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

What’s the Plan

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Welcome to my home on the internet. I’m excited to see how this blog fleshes out and what it becomes.

Since I decided to go for it, I have to just do it. I don’t have the perfect plan or know exactly what I’m doing but I can’t wait forever. Write. That’s what I need to do and over the next few weeks we’ll see how things progress.

Hopefully I’ll post 4 times a week.

  • Mondays will be a menu plan
  • Once will be a recipe

The other two will vary weekly.

I hope to share:

  • a few what we are doing posts.
  • My struggles,
  • Products I love.
  • Books I’m reading.
  • Natural Living.
  • Information that’s helped me.
  • Resources

I enjoy bloggers I learn from and that are personable at the same time. I hope to be able to find my writing voice – be myself – and share posts and ideas that are beneficial to others.

Thank you for joining me.

 

Menu Plan Monday

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Sometimes I struggle with coming up with food to put on our weekly menu so it’s always helpful reading other people’s menu plans for recipe inspiration and meal ideas. Every Monday I plan on sharing our menu for the week.

I make our menu on Friday and grocery shop on Saturday, so our meal plan runs Saturday – Friday. Sometime I want to try doing a two week schedule and see if that simplifies things and saves any money. This works for now.

Breakfasts:

  • Chocolate Chip Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins
  • Banana Oatmeal Muffins (wheat free)
  • Smoothie Popsicles ( the 2 1/2 year old loves these)

Lunch:

  • Leftovers
  • Chopped Thai Chicken Salad (Thought we wouldn’t really like it but it ended up being better than we thought!)
  • Wraps (packed for our trip to the zoo)
  • Breakfast burritos and bean and cheese burritos from the freezer
  • Lemon Rosemary Grilled Chicken, corn, watermelon, chips, and homemade salsa (family was in town)

Dinner:

  •  Butter Chicken and Salad (family still in town)
  • Popcorn, watermelon, and homemade ice cream sweetened with honey and maple syrup. (This meal is called it’s been a long weekend and I really don’t want to spend time in the kitchen.)
  • Baked chicken taquitos
  • Salad and leftover taquitos
  • On the road back from a doctor appointment and a trip to the zoo
  • Husband has a work party at the water park
  • Manicotti someone made for us

Snacks:

  • Popcorn
  • Smoothie popsicles
  • Pretzels and raisins (2 1/2 year old loves this)
  • Almonds and dates (my snack of choice lately)

 

Go for It

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Sometimes life is about stepping out and going for it. I can get so wrapped up in worrying and thinking and what iffing things that I never actually GO and do anything. That’s not a fun way to live and it doesn’t allow God to work through me and show His power and grace in my life. It’s also a way to live a life of regrets.

I love reading blogs – I love getting to be a part of so many people’s lives, hearing a variety of perspectives, learning, being inspired, and sometimes getting the kick in the pants I need.

For a couple years now (and I’m not kidding) I’ve contemplated blogging myself. I’ve done the thinking, planning, wondering. . . You get the picture. Finally, I’ve decided to just step out there and do it.

the Declare Conference

 

HelloMornings is sponsoring a free ticket to The Declare Conference. What an amazing way to start off a blog – numerous sessions and keynotes to teach, instruct and encourage me. Being around people who have been blogging for all different amounts of time and getting to learn from them and build relationships. The best thing – it’s a conference with God at the center of it and hopefully He will speak to me and guide me and change me through it. Winning the ticket would actually make attending this fabulous sounding conference within my budget. Even better. 🙂