Here are the recipes for my Marathon Meals.
Taco Soup
2 pounds lean ground beef, cooked and drained
2 cans corn or Mexican Fiesta Corn
1 can Rotel
2 (15 ounce) cans canned tomatoes
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans kidney beans
Taco Seasoning to taste (This simple recipe is AMAZING!)
1 package Ranch dressing mix
Combine all ingredients, simmer 45 minutes, serve.
Wendy's Chili
Trust me, just make this chili, found here. And use an 8 quart stock pot like she says. Otherwise, it ends up on the floor (not that I would know or anything.)
Chicken Casserole
2 pounds of chicken ~ You can use whatever you prefer ~ I use whatever is on sale. This week it was chicken thighs.
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 small onion (or to taste), diced
1 bag stuffing (your choice, I use Herb Stuffing by Pepperidge Farms)
1 cup melted butter
1 can of chicken broth, or 4-6 cubes of homemade chicken stock
Boil chicken until done. In the meantime, combine stuffing and butter. Place 2/3 of stuffing on bottom of plan. Once chicken is done, cut it up and place on top of stuffing. Top with chopped onion, then both cans of cream of chicken soup. Top with remaining stuffing, and pour chicken stock/broth on top of entire casserole. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes.
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Beef Enchilada Casserole is basically beef enchiladas, just not rolled up into enchilada form. We have a large family and can fit much more into a pan this way.
1-2 pounds lean ground beef, cooked and drained
Taco seasoning, to taste
6 large flour tortillas
1 large can enchilada sauce
2 cups mexican cheese (or whatever cheese you choose)
Season cooked ground beef with taco seasoning to taste. Place 2 tortillas in bottom of large baking dish (9x13, 8 1/2x11, etc). Place 1/2 of ground beef mixture on top, then cover with 1/3 of cheese. Repeat once more. Finish off with 2 tortillas on top, followed by enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is golden brown.
I serve this with lettuce, tomatoes, and light sour cream.
Breakfast Burritos
These are a favorite at our house! This recipe is for serving 6.
3/4-1 pound breakfast sausage
12 eggs
1 cup mild cheddar cheese
6-8 tortillas
salsa
Cook breakfast sausage until done; add eggs. Scramble well, cook until desired consistency. Add cheese. Fill tortillas, and top with salsa before serving. If making these for freezer meal breakfasts, do not add salsa until served.
Hope these meals serve you as well as they have served my family!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Marathon Meals
I have the best intentions for creating healthy, well balanced meals for my family every night. Lean meat with healthy portions of fresh vegetables. Food prepared by me, for my family.
As the saying goes, "The road to hell is paved with the best intentions"
Some days, time gets away from me. And to be honest, some days I just do not want to cook. Unhealthy options have become limitless. Dollar Menus, Value Menus, $.99 Menus, BOGO pizza... Can you tell we frequent these places too often? I know who has the best deal on food most days of the week.
However, I have seen what I consider a "new craze" (yes, I know my hipster talk has your attention) on Pinterest. I haven't seen a name for it yet, but I'm calling it Marathon Meals.
If your heart just fell, take note: these meals have nothing to do with running 26.2 miles, or preparing to run 26.2 miles.
The basic idea is this: You dedicate a block of time to prepare a large number of meals, then freeze them. On days where cooking is out, eating well doesn't have to be.
I read the recipes that some use to do this, but ultimately thought about my own favorite recipes that would probably freeze well. I tried to stick with things that were similar, because that seems like it makes the prep that much easier.
Here is what I came up with. (Most bloggers would insert some photos here, but I honestly just didn't think about it when I was cooking. Next time!)
Taco Soup
Chili
Chicken Casserole
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Breakfast Burritos
Click here for a link to the recipes.
The biggest bulk of the recipes is ground beef. Ground beef is easy to work with and we love it. I always buy the leanest I can find, never going below 93% lean. Ask your local meat department when they mark their meat down, and buy it on sale. When I do that, the meat is even cheaper than the regular priced 70% lean (that just sounds wrong ~ 70% lean?!)
I cooked the ground beef (about 9 pounds total) all together, then divided it up between the recipes that called for it. While I was cooking the ground beef, I also had chicken cooking for the chicken casserole. This way, basically all that is left for the first four meals is assembly. Cooking the meat portion took all of about 20 minutes.
Then I broke out the stock pots and disposable aluminum pans. In one stock pot, all the ingredients for Taco Soup. In the other, Chili. Two aluminum pans got Chicken Casserole, and two others got Beef Enchilada Casserole. I covered them with aluminum foil, labeled what they were and the date, and they went into the freezer.
While the soup and chili simmered, I reserved the chicken broth ~ from the chicken prepared for the casserole ~ into an ice tray.The next day I put the frozen cubes into a freezer bag. Voila! Perfect chicken stock, and I know exactly what is in it. Be prepared to never use that tray for anything other than preparing chicken stock, however. No matter how much you wash it, the smell is never going away.
Then I started on the Breakfast Burritos. Those took about 30 minutes, tops. I placed the filling inside the tortillas, rolled them up, and placed them in freezer bags.
All that was left was the Taco Soup and Chili. I filled up gallon size Ziploc bags, 2 with Taco Soup, and 3 with Chili., laid them flat in the freezer (so they take up less space once frozen solid), and cleaned the stock pots.
In less than 2 hours, I had 9 dinners for a family of 6 and 20 breakfast burritos made, as well as a clean kitchen. Now on those days where I don't feel like cooking, I can just pull out one of our "Marathon Meal" dinners!
As the saying goes, "The road to hell is paved with the best intentions"
Some days, time gets away from me. And to be honest, some days I just do not want to cook. Unhealthy options have become limitless. Dollar Menus, Value Menus, $.99 Menus, BOGO pizza... Can you tell we frequent these places too often? I know who has the best deal on food most days of the week.
However, I have seen what I consider a "new craze" (yes, I know my hipster talk has your attention) on Pinterest. I haven't seen a name for it yet, but I'm calling it Marathon Meals.
If your heart just fell, take note: these meals have nothing to do with running 26.2 miles, or preparing to run 26.2 miles.
The basic idea is this: You dedicate a block of time to prepare a large number of meals, then freeze them. On days where cooking is out, eating well doesn't have to be.
I read the recipes that some use to do this, but ultimately thought about my own favorite recipes that would probably freeze well. I tried to stick with things that were similar, because that seems like it makes the prep that much easier.
Here is what I came up with. (Most bloggers would insert some photos here, but I honestly just didn't think about it when I was cooking. Next time!)
Taco Soup
Chili
Chicken Casserole
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Breakfast Burritos
Click here for a link to the recipes.
The biggest bulk of the recipes is ground beef. Ground beef is easy to work with and we love it. I always buy the leanest I can find, never going below 93% lean. Ask your local meat department when they mark their meat down, and buy it on sale. When I do that, the meat is even cheaper than the regular priced 70% lean (that just sounds wrong ~ 70% lean?!)
I cooked the ground beef (about 9 pounds total) all together, then divided it up between the recipes that called for it. While I was cooking the ground beef, I also had chicken cooking for the chicken casserole. This way, basically all that is left for the first four meals is assembly. Cooking the meat portion took all of about 20 minutes.
Then I broke out the stock pots and disposable aluminum pans. In one stock pot, all the ingredients for Taco Soup. In the other, Chili. Two aluminum pans got Chicken Casserole, and two others got Beef Enchilada Casserole. I covered them with aluminum foil, labeled what they were and the date, and they went into the freezer.
While the soup and chili simmered, I reserved the chicken broth ~ from the chicken prepared for the casserole ~ into an ice tray.The next day I put the frozen cubes into a freezer bag. Voila! Perfect chicken stock, and I know exactly what is in it. Be prepared to never use that tray for anything other than preparing chicken stock, however. No matter how much you wash it, the smell is never going away.
Then I started on the Breakfast Burritos. Those took about 30 minutes, tops. I placed the filling inside the tortillas, rolled them up, and placed them in freezer bags.
All that was left was the Taco Soup and Chili. I filled up gallon size Ziploc bags, 2 with Taco Soup, and 3 with Chili., laid them flat in the freezer (so they take up less space once frozen solid), and cleaned the stock pots.
In less than 2 hours, I had 9 dinners for a family of 6 and 20 breakfast burritos made, as well as a clean kitchen. Now on those days where I don't feel like cooking, I can just pull out one of our "Marathon Meal" dinners!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Not Prude, Just Private
Have you ever gone into a store kicking and screaming, because you absolutely did not want to be seen in that store? I mean, what is the off chance you may or may not see someone ~ who you may or may not know ~ and you may or may not ever see that person again, right? Why chance the awkward embarrassment that will inevitably follow when, if you have my luck, you see them there and then again at your child's school program?
I like to remain anonymous. Better to just order stuff online.
Unless you wait until the last minute. Which is exactly what I did.
I pulled into our local "Adult Fun Time" store and parked right in front of the sign that says, "Monitored by Electronic Surveillance 24/7."
So much for remaining anonymous. However, I realize that unless something goes down while I'm there, chances are the tapes will not be reviewed. I take a deep breath, get out of the car and head inside.
I stepped inside and looked around, immediately assessing who is in the store. And by who, I mean I am checking to see how many men are in the store and where they are located. Because shopping for "Adult Fun Time" items without dying from embarrassment requires there be only women around. I would prefer no one, but I can get through it without need of a paper bag for hyperventilation so long as only women are present.
At the cash register is a man and woman, checking out. My first thought is, "Good, at least they will be gone soon, and probably won't even notice I'm here."
Wrong.
Happy Employee #1 spots me and says in her loudest voice, "Hey! Welcome to Adult Fun Time!"
Mortified. Yes, that about sums up my feelings at that moment. I wanted to yell back at her, "This is NOT Moe's! I do NOT need you to greet me from across the store and draw attention to me!" However, I smile politely back and avoid eye contact with anyone.
That lasts about 90 seconds. Then I am approached by Happy Employee #2, who asks me if I need help finding anything. Ha! As if I would ever tell anyone (except for my husband) what I am here for. I use the reliable, super-cool, "No, I'm just looking," line.
I'm sure these Happy Employees must have had a class on how to not laugh at the customer while they are around. Perhaps my picture was on the slideshow during the presentation.
I peruse the aisles, waiting patiently for the man and woman at the cash register to leave, because what if they have the entire store memorized and they know what section I am in?
By this point I feel like I should have worn a sign that says "Super-Prude."
About 5 minutes later, I realize the man and woman still have not left. Seriously, how long does it take to check out? Then I hear the conversation the woman is having with Happy Employee #1.
"Yeah, he doesn't pull out. I haven't seen his sperm in years."
Oh. My. Sweet. God. I want to plug my ears and sing a happy song, but I realize that will make me seem even more "off" than I already seem. I try desperately not to hear any more, but with the woman talking loudly, it is pretty difficult not to hear what she has to say about her husband. To the complete stranger that is the cashier. With her husband standing right there.
I'm pretty sure I was in The Twilight Zone.
And then I wonder, did this cashier know she was also going to be a sex therapist when she signed on to work for Adult Fun Time for minimum wage?
At this point, I have to choose my items and get out of there before I have an anxiety attack. I pick up my purchases and head to the cash register, where the man and woman are still standing. By now, I would pay them to leave.
As I walk up to stand behind them in line, they leave. Finally. Then I realize Happy Employee #1 may ask me personal questions and expect me to talk to her like the previous customers did. Panic!!!
However, she remembers seeing my picture on the slideshow and doesn't press the issue. Whew, crisis averted.
This, my friends, is why I do not shop in certain stores and order online instead. And I will never procrastinate again. At least when it concerns Adult Fun Time.
I like to remain anonymous. Better to just order stuff online.
Unless you wait until the last minute. Which is exactly what I did.
I pulled into our local "Adult Fun Time" store and parked right in front of the sign that says, "Monitored by Electronic Surveillance 24/7."
So much for remaining anonymous. However, I realize that unless something goes down while I'm there, chances are the tapes will not be reviewed. I take a deep breath, get out of the car and head inside.
I stepped inside and looked around, immediately assessing who is in the store. And by who, I mean I am checking to see how many men are in the store and where they are located. Because shopping for "Adult Fun Time" items without dying from embarrassment requires there be only women around. I would prefer no one, but I can get through it without need of a paper bag for hyperventilation so long as only women are present.
At the cash register is a man and woman, checking out. My first thought is, "Good, at least they will be gone soon, and probably won't even notice I'm here."
Wrong.
Happy Employee #1 spots me and says in her loudest voice, "Hey! Welcome to Adult Fun Time!"
Mortified. Yes, that about sums up my feelings at that moment. I wanted to yell back at her, "This is NOT Moe's! I do NOT need you to greet me from across the store and draw attention to me!" However, I smile politely back and avoid eye contact with anyone.
That lasts about 90 seconds. Then I am approached by Happy Employee #2, who asks me if I need help finding anything. Ha! As if I would ever tell anyone (except for my husband) what I am here for. I use the reliable, super-cool, "No, I'm just looking," line.
I'm sure these Happy Employees must have had a class on how to not laugh at the customer while they are around. Perhaps my picture was on the slideshow during the presentation.
I peruse the aisles, waiting patiently for the man and woman at the cash register to leave, because what if they have the entire store memorized and they know what section I am in?
By this point I feel like I should have worn a sign that says "Super-Prude."
About 5 minutes later, I realize the man and woman still have not left. Seriously, how long does it take to check out? Then I hear the conversation the woman is having with Happy Employee #1.
"Yeah, he doesn't pull out. I haven't seen his sperm in years."
Oh. My. Sweet. God. I want to plug my ears and sing a happy song, but I realize that will make me seem even more "off" than I already seem. I try desperately not to hear any more, but with the woman talking loudly, it is pretty difficult not to hear what she has to say about her husband. To the complete stranger that is the cashier. With her husband standing right there.
I'm pretty sure I was in The Twilight Zone.
And then I wonder, did this cashier know she was also going to be a sex therapist when she signed on to work for Adult Fun Time for minimum wage?
At this point, I have to choose my items and get out of there before I have an anxiety attack. I pick up my purchases and head to the cash register, where the man and woman are still standing. By now, I would pay them to leave.
As I walk up to stand behind them in line, they leave. Finally. Then I realize Happy Employee #1 may ask me personal questions and expect me to talk to her like the previous customers did. Panic!!!
However, she remembers seeing my picture on the slideshow and doesn't press the issue. Whew, crisis averted.
This, my friends, is why I do not shop in certain stores and order online instead. And I will never procrastinate again. At least when it concerns Adult Fun Time.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
After a small hiatus (about 18 months), I'm blogging again. I was reading through some of my older posts yesterday and the memories made me smile, so I thought I'd add some more.
In the past 18 months, we've survived 3 deployments, 1 job change, and 1 tornado; those were the big things. The smaller, everyday, seemingly insignificant things that almost drove me insane include Bieber Fever, WWE, and All Things Johnny Depp (thank you, Madi.)
This weekend Daniel had a friend over, and they were hanging out in his room. Two 11 year old boys, playing Xbox, and all they wanted was to be left alone. Apparently his friend forgot the fact that Daniel has 2 little sisters that do not understand the term "Leave me alone." I'm certain they do not understand it because no matter how loudly he tells them "leave me alone," they do not leave him alone.
So, Daniel and his friend wanted the little girls to stop coming in Daniel's room. His friend says to the girls, "If you don't stop coming in here, I'm gonna...OH MAN, there's no lock on this door!!! Arrggghh! If you don't stop coming in here, I'm gonna make you smell my armpits!"
Resourceful. There's a word to describe tweenage boys. And it worked.
Fast forward a few hours, and we decided to go to WalMart and the Commiscary. And yes, I realize it is properly spelled Commissary, but seriously, if you've ever been to the Commissary I go to, you would realize it should be called the Commiscary.
We were sitting in the turning lane to WalMart, and everyone except Ashlyn realized we were in the turning lane to WalMart. When Madi tells her just to listen for the turn signal in order to know whether we are turning or not, Ashlyn confesses that up until recently she thought that sound was my fingers tapping on the steering wheel as we waited to turn.
I know I should drive for Nascar, but really, am I that bad???
When we got to WalMart, I donned a Captain America mask and shield (minus the 6 pack abs, they will be along shortly, I'm sure), Daniel became Thor, complete with mask and weapon, and Madi stood in as SpiderMan. We saved the world on the toy aisle of WalMart while the little girls looked at Barbies.
You are welcome.
As we returned home, I started looking at the porch decor in my neighborhood. I noticed recently that someone has elephants out on their steps... I've seen lions and gnomes... so I was just observing, when I saw a pair of wings on a small statue on the front steps of a house. I came to a dead stop and told Madi to look at the gargoyle.
Only it was an angel.
My bad.
But after those elephants, you just never know what you may see...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Happy Happy Birthday From All of us to You, We Wish it was Our Birthday, so We could Party too!
Tonight as I write this, there are 5 twelve year old girls upstairs celebrating the birthday of my first born.
I'm sure you can imagine the sounds: laughter, squeals, whispers, and an occasional thud thud thud as they run down the stairs to get more soda and chocolate.
As I think back over the last 12 years, I am astounded. This little bundle who forced me to grow up so much has flourished into a beautiful young lady. She shines from the inside out. She loves life, and all the twists and turns it takes. She adapts like no one I have ever seen before. She has become accustomed to having two phases of friendship: the active, present phase, which occurs when we live somewhere, and the keeping up with friends far away phase, which occurs when we or they move away, which invariably always happens, living the military lifestyle. She cries, like every girl is entitled to do, but picks herself up and keeps going.
Madi is our little smarty pants. She is a grade ahead in school (apparently the entire 7th grade had a party today to celebrate the fact that there is no one who is 11 years old anymore in their grade level) and is at the top of her class. She strives to do her best work, and will go out of her way to make sure she has good grades. She is very hard on herself and as long as we can keep that in check, I believe this trait will serve her well in life.
Madi is a lover of learning. She still realizes she doesn't know all there is to know, and is ready to listen to advice from her parents, whether the topic is friends, boys, health, school, or work. She has learned a valuable lesson that I did not learn until I was in my 20's, and we have strived to help her learn humility. I believe a great deal has gotten through, and for that I am truly thankful.
Madi is a true friend. She is loyal to the end, and is an excellent judge of character. I do not hear horror stories as some do about their daughter's friends trashing their reputation, or getting into petty fights. I think the life experience the Army has brought to Madi is that life is too short to spend it bickering and being petty, and that we are all basically the same, and just want love and acceptance from others. And that is what Madi brings to her relationships. The freedom to be yourself without fear of judgment or condemnation.
Madi has also begun working daily as a pet sitter. We live in an ideal community for her to be able to do this after school, and she gets paid! It gives her life lessons a-plenty: responsibility (being available daily), money management, and very introductory business skills as she deals with the pet owners.
I worried so many of Madi's early years if we would be able to give this precious girl all she deserved in life, all we wanted to give her. Namely, a relationship with Jesus, loving married parents, a great education (both scholarly and worldly), a safe, loving, beautiful home...I was afraid we would not see some of these things until she was in high school or beyond, and yet here we are. Wise beyond her years, sweet as sugar, with a laugh that is infectious.
Happy 12th Birthday, Little One. I love you and am thankful you are in my life to love as much as I do, to the moon, stars, and back again.
I'm sure you can imagine the sounds: laughter, squeals, whispers, and an occasional thud thud thud as they run down the stairs to get more soda and chocolate.
As I think back over the last 12 years, I am astounded. This little bundle who forced me to grow up so much has flourished into a beautiful young lady. She shines from the inside out. She loves life, and all the twists and turns it takes. She adapts like no one I have ever seen before. She has become accustomed to having two phases of friendship: the active, present phase, which occurs when we live somewhere, and the keeping up with friends far away phase, which occurs when we or they move away, which invariably always happens, living the military lifestyle. She cries, like every girl is entitled to do, but picks herself up and keeps going.
Madi is our little smarty pants. She is a grade ahead in school (apparently the entire 7th grade had a party today to celebrate the fact that there is no one who is 11 years old anymore in their grade level) and is at the top of her class. She strives to do her best work, and will go out of her way to make sure she has good grades. She is very hard on herself and as long as we can keep that in check, I believe this trait will serve her well in life.
Madi is a lover of learning. She still realizes she doesn't know all there is to know, and is ready to listen to advice from her parents, whether the topic is friends, boys, health, school, or work. She has learned a valuable lesson that I did not learn until I was in my 20's, and we have strived to help her learn humility. I believe a great deal has gotten through, and for that I am truly thankful.
Madi is a true friend. She is loyal to the end, and is an excellent judge of character. I do not hear horror stories as some do about their daughter's friends trashing their reputation, or getting into petty fights. I think the life experience the Army has brought to Madi is that life is too short to spend it bickering and being petty, and that we are all basically the same, and just want love and acceptance from others. And that is what Madi brings to her relationships. The freedom to be yourself without fear of judgment or condemnation.
Madi has also begun working daily as a pet sitter. We live in an ideal community for her to be able to do this after school, and she gets paid! It gives her life lessons a-plenty: responsibility (being available daily), money management, and very introductory business skills as she deals with the pet owners.
I worried so many of Madi's early years if we would be able to give this precious girl all she deserved in life, all we wanted to give her. Namely, a relationship with Jesus, loving married parents, a great education (both scholarly and worldly), a safe, loving, beautiful home...I was afraid we would not see some of these things until she was in high school or beyond, and yet here we are. Wise beyond her years, sweet as sugar, with a laugh that is infectious.
Happy 12th Birthday, Little One. I love you and am thankful you are in my life to love as much as I do, to the moon, stars, and back again.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Story of Hermit Crab
I am a hermit by nature. I prefer to call myself a homebody, but after talking to many others, I think someone who only goes out of the house other than for work, food, and religious activities could possibly be classified as a hermit. Or when someone refers to going to the store (any store) as "going in to town" like Laura Ingalls did in Little House on the Prairie. That would be me.
So here is the scenario: Saturday, outing to the commissary (military grocery store) with ALL kids in tow, at 3 pm (peak time). After growing weary (such polite wording) of their disobedience, I threaten to swat my kids in the store so someone will call social services on me. Then we'll see who you end up living with! That bought me time to get through the last couple of aisles as the kids were thinking about their future (more like "How long til we can wear her down again?"). Pay for food. Do not pass GO, go straight home.
Sunday: Church, home. The end.
Monday: No school as it is MLK holiday. I planned ahead of time to take the kids to the movies, specifically High School Musical 3. Why not double up on sacrificing for my kids if I can? Leaving the house to do something fun (for them): check. HSM 3, yeah, I am pretty sure that equals sacrifice and I have a big parenting reward waiting in heaven for putting my kids' wants above my own.
Not only are we going to the movies, we are going to the mall. Did I mention there are 4 kids and 1 of me?
We do all it takes to get 5 people out of the house on time, drive 30 minutes to the mall, get out, and Sarah puked all over the ground. Thank heaven for small miracles as there is no puke in the truck. Go into JCPenney, get barf bag, return to truck, drive 30 minutes back home.
Tuesday: 6" of snow. No school, thus no work. Homebound, yea!!!
Wednesday: No school again! Take kids to Walmart for, you guessed it, a few groceries. Did not even look at other stuff. Home again, home again, jiggity jig.
Thursday: No school. So today, I made the ultimate sacrifice that was supposed to take place Monday, but got pushed off because of the puke. We went to see HSM 3, then to a dr's appt. We walked through the front door of our house 4 hours after we walked out of it. Not bad for doctor and a movie. Which is a good thing, because Ashlyn said her tummy hurt. Then at bedtime came the puke.
Nobody pukes when all we do is the mundane. But throw something WILD in there like shopping, movies, bowling, and somebody is bound to puke.
Depending on how tonight goes, Ashlyn and I may be hunkered down at home again tomorrow!
So here is the scenario: Saturday, outing to the commissary (military grocery store) with ALL kids in tow, at 3 pm (peak time). After growing weary (such polite wording) of their disobedience, I threaten to swat my kids in the store so someone will call social services on me. Then we'll see who you end up living with! That bought me time to get through the last couple of aisles as the kids were thinking about their future (more like "How long til we can wear her down again?"). Pay for food. Do not pass GO, go straight home.
Sunday: Church, home. The end.
Monday: No school as it is MLK holiday. I planned ahead of time to take the kids to the movies, specifically High School Musical 3. Why not double up on sacrificing for my kids if I can? Leaving the house to do something fun (for them): check. HSM 3, yeah, I am pretty sure that equals sacrifice and I have a big parenting reward waiting in heaven for putting my kids' wants above my own.
Not only are we going to the movies, we are going to the mall. Did I mention there are 4 kids and 1 of me?
We do all it takes to get 5 people out of the house on time, drive 30 minutes to the mall, get out, and Sarah puked all over the ground. Thank heaven for small miracles as there is no puke in the truck. Go into JCPenney, get barf bag, return to truck, drive 30 minutes back home.
Tuesday: 6" of snow. No school, thus no work. Homebound, yea!!!
Wednesday: No school again! Take kids to Walmart for, you guessed it, a few groceries. Did not even look at other stuff. Home again, home again, jiggity jig.
Thursday: No school. So today, I made the ultimate sacrifice that was supposed to take place Monday, but got pushed off because of the puke. We went to see HSM 3, then to a dr's appt. We walked through the front door of our house 4 hours after we walked out of it. Not bad for doctor and a movie. Which is a good thing, because Ashlyn said her tummy hurt. Then at bedtime came the puke.
Nobody pukes when all we do is the mundane. But throw something WILD in there like shopping, movies, bowling, and somebody is bound to puke.
Depending on how tonight goes, Ashlyn and I may be hunkered down at home again tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Christmas Blurp
I was just reading through some of my older posts and came across one where Sarah got money for her birthday and wanted to buy chocolate with her $20.
Well, she received money for Christmas, too. Forty dollars, to be exact.
As the children were each talking about what their plans were for their money, Sarah's was SO Sarah...
Forty dollars worth of Dr. Pepper and gum.
Nothing says love to a five year old like sugar and caffeine.
Well, she received money for Christmas, too. Forty dollars, to be exact.
As the children were each talking about what their plans were for their money, Sarah's was SO Sarah...
Forty dollars worth of Dr. Pepper and gum.
Nothing says love to a five year old like sugar and caffeine.
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