Sunday, October 31, 2010

Work verus Play?

This weekend was a great weekend. Daddy has been so busy trying to get the house done and I have been busy w/ work that the boys either get to spend time w/ just Dad or just Mom. On Saturday, our entire family was able to spend the entire day together. Although Casey has much remorse for not getting as much work as he wanted to get done this weekend, it was a refreshing weekend to just spend it together. What did we do to get such HIGH remarks for spending time together...spending tons of money at a great event or ride in a car to Sam's and Arby's and help each other put the boys' costumes together? No we didn't need to have to spend a ton of money to have a great day. A simple Sam's Sample day, trip to Arby's to get kids meals (thanks to recent Groupon purchase), and putting our talent's (mommy's sewing and daddy's construction) to make a gumball machine and scuba diver together.

I am so thankful for our neighbor Pat for her use of her camera. I was almost distraught that I was not going to get Halloween 2010 documented through pictures...but thanks to her we have pictures.

What did this weekend teach me? Spend more time as an entire family versus one parent. Another adult allows the conversation to go further both w/ the other adult but with the kids.

Hope you were able to spend great family time this weekend!
Rhi

Meal plan for this week

Wow! I found what it was like to work a more than 40 hour work week last week and what it does on cooking meals for my family. I guess it wasn't a good week to have to actually cook food instead of pulling it out of our freezer. Although I worked a lot last week, it was refreshing that I was able to keep my house clean and not feel overwhelmed about house work or my family. Although we had some random meals...we only got pizza once last week:) I am going to be doing some extra work at a Nursing Home in Adams, swimming lessons start back up on Mondays until Christmas and we have Awana on Wednesdays. Instead of thinking...YIKES how are we going to make it work, I approach it as a mental puzzle for me to figure out. I think I have the puzzle figured out this week. We will see if it pans out:)

Monday: Swimming 4:00 - Baked Ziti w/ peas *

Tuesday: Roast w/ potatoes, cabbage, and carrots in crock pot
*Work at Adams and have freezer cooking exchange

Wednesday: Awana - Chicken Lelani w/ rice

Thursday: Work at Adams - Hearty Beef and Mushroom Stew CP recipe from All You magazine

Friday: Hope to go to Friend to watch my mom's vball team in districts. If not, we will eat Ham and Potatoe Casserole if cold or Kabob w/ green pepper and mushrooms if good for grill.

Casey has GUARD DRILL
Saturday: L: Going to Omaha to say goodbye to my sister Annie's family and watch the game w/ my other sister Becca
D: Dave and Buster's for Patton's birthday and "last supper" with Annie, Jeremy and Rylan (if packing goes as planned)

Sunday: L: Ham and Poppy Seed Sandwiches
D: Tacos

Hope you had a great Halloween and have a great first week of November. I can't be any happier that it is November...as it is one more month closer to have #3. 2 months from Nov 11th!
Rhiannon

Halloween 2010

Our Scuba gear that Dad worked so hard to perfect:) The flippers only lasted 1 house in order to get a picture
No one knew what he was...I knew he was my favorite gum ball machine:)

Thanks to my friend and neighbor, Pat, I was able to get Halloween documented. I don't have any nice words for the repair crew at Best Buy that have had my camera since the 12th of October and have not touched it yet. Although they told me it would only be two weeks tops. GRRRR! So thankful for these pictures!

Look...have my scrapbooking done!






Monday, October 25, 2010

Meal plan for this week

One thing I have gotten accustomed to (which I thought would be a MAJOR downfall) is having a consistent schedule from week to week. In other words, working in the schools are great, but you often don't have the same schedule for an entire month. You go long some days then off others. It has helped my mentality and also my boys' mentality to know they have two days off between Sarah's. I am even finding them saying, "We don't get to go to Sarah's today?" in a whine. Amazing!

This is the first week we have been "off" schedule a bit w/ no Awana nor swimming lessons, so my OCD mind is having to take a break from scheduling. It is a good week for these to be off...so I can adjust to working a new job on T and Th afterwork for an hour in Adams. I am doing PRN work for another therapy company. It pays well and I am still home at the normal time. The only thing different is that Daddy picks the boys up instead of Mommy. Daddy has been completely amazing these days...by the way. He is filling the role that I can't or am too worn out to do each day. Picking the boys up, playing w/ them (showing them football moves), directing bath and bed time. Complete blessing that has allowed me to stay on schedule w/ the Fly Lady. This in turn has created a more positive Mommy that is evened out w/ mommy duties and house hold duties!

Here is the meal plan for our off week:

Monday: Made yummy Porcupine meatballs and broccoli w/ cheese. The boys had 5 each! Looks like I need to put this on the menu more often.

Tuesday: Nacho Spuds - new recipe

Wednesday: Hearty Corn Chowder (freezer cooking) and biscuits

Thursday: Slow Cooked Bolognese Sauce in the Crock Pot - New recipe from all you

Friday: Chicken Lelani or Chicken Pot Pie - both are freezer meals. We didn't end up having the Chicken Lelani last week...but if it is going to be cold the Pot Pie might hit the spot.

Saturday:
L: Chicken Fried Rice (from the box...yikes...I know!)
D: Homemade pizza

Sunday: HALLOWEEN
L: Roast w/ potato, cabbage and carrots - I have been craving cabbage!?!?
D: Sandwiched and Chips so we can have something in our tummies before the big night.

Have a great week!
Rhi

Sunday, October 24, 2010

RANDOM Sept

The boys have been such great helpers lately! Thanks to the Fly Lady and her inspiration, my boys have given some responsiblities around the house. These little responsiblities have turned into major motivation to do even more. Yes this is a picture of BUBBI not Kenner helping Daddy set up the scaffolding on the one side of the house that is not finished. Side note: Daddy has been working very hard on our house. It looks AWESOME! I have a highly talented husband:) The swimming suit is because the boys have been taking swimming lessons on Tuesdays and have really learned a lot!

Can anyone tell that I MISS my camera DEARLY! They told me it would be a week and we are going on two weeks. My camera has to be back before Halloween...pretty please.

In desperation of missing my camera, I thought I would catch up w/ old photos. These pics are from a fun day in Adams. All this was FREE! So fun and a beautiful day!

Harvest 2010








Sunday, October 17, 2010

Snowball

Patton is our animal lover and I wish, oh I wish, that my camera was not in the shop. A completely black cat showed up on our porch on Friday night. Patton immediately went and got a water dish for it. Then requested that we find food for it, because it told him it was hungry.

Patton was in HEAVEN! We have no idea if this cat is someone's or if it is stray. After we told the boys to say good night to the kitty, Patton came in and said to Casey, "Dad, I FINALLY have a pet cat." in his little sweet voice.

On Saturday, while we still had company, snowball came back. Patton couldn't have been more excited. My cat came back. We repeated the steps we had done the night before. This time I sat outside to soak in all the Pattonism's w/ the cat. Unfortunately I don't remember any of them except his departing comments as he said good night. "Good night snowball. I wove you! Will you pwease come back tomorrow?" Talk about a heart melting comment.
*Other comments I now recall: Meow, Meow - Patton: Mom he just said that he loves me.
Patton: Wet's put him on the chair so he has a nice bed. **He attempted to put the cat on the chair x 3 w/out luck.

Patton and Daddy made a trip into town tonight and of course they got Snowball some food. I was really hoping that our snowball came back tonight...since we made an investment:) Snowball arrived at it's normal time and LOVED the food.

Once I get my camera I plan to take a picture of this cat and post it around Sprague...so that if it does belong to someone we let them know we are "sharing" it. If it doesn't belong to someone...we probably need to come up with a winter plan.

Does anyone have any suggestions for taking in a stray cat? THIS CAT WILL NOT be coming into our house...but it is so sad to see it outside when it gets cold...any solutions anyone?

Meal plan for this week

Last week was "crazy" in terms of many things going on...needless to say I was able to stick to my meal plan, because I knew it was going to be crazy and planned accordingly...LOVE meal planning!

Monday: Beef and Noodles *
I have a meeting at 7:00, so Daddy and boys are going to go swimming.

Tuesday: Swimming Lessons...so crockpot night - Pork Pot Roast in Apple Cider (Betty Crocker recipe)

Wednesday: AWANA - Manicotti* w/ corn

Thursday: We get to go to Aurora and combine:)...Kind of ironic that we were going to have Hearty Corn Chowder:)

Friday: Chicken Lelani w/ Rice *

Saturday:
L - Hot dogs w/ mac and cheese
D - Maui Grilled Chicken* and Honey Dijon Ham* on the grill w/ on sale veggie.

Sunday:
L - Runza Playland (I have a B1GFree combo for signing up for their taste email)
D - Homemade Sausage and Veggie Pizza

Hope you have a great week
Rhi

What weekend:)

My dreams of being able to entertain people at our house w/out a formal function of a birthday party or holiday was a success for both the party and for not freaking out before everyone got here.

Really...if you haven't checked out Fly Lady and you are constantly fighting w/ keeping up with simple housework and life...you need to begin to fly. It has given me the chance to life guilt free for not keeping up with my house, feeding my family frugally and somewhat healthy and staying on top of the activities that we have been able to do w/out thinking differently.

Her way of life is not a system, but a guide for a person to adapt to their life style. I was able to have people say, "Wow your house looks nice." this weekend w/out me thinking...it should because I cleaned it for hours upon hours before you came:)

We had an absolute great weekend. I am sorry I don't have pictures...camera is in the shop. Friday night we had TWIG - Third Weekends in Groups at Zion. We played a hilliarious new game and those of us there were there experienced a new level of laughter and friendship. It was fun.
*I was worried what I was going to feel knowing that my friends at Crete had the day off. My thoughts and fears were quenched when I was at home by 4:00 on Monday and Thursday (days of Parent Teacher conferences) and didn't have a HUGE change to our schedule. I even worked LATE (4:00 he he) on Friday w/out guilt. This new lifestyle is such a Godsend:) for me and my family.

Saturday, well Saturday...we lost at football, but I definitely didn't lose in the making memories category. I was able to spend the day w/ my boys, Kendra, Trevor, Kenner, Jeri, Jayden, Annie, Rylan, Craig, Abby, Caleb, Becca, Mom, Dad, Jim and Jan. It was fun to provide everyone w/ food w/out having to be in the kitchen all day (thanks to freezer cooking and crockpot Chili:)

Sunday was another great day. I love teaching the 3 year olds (Patton's class). It is fun to teach the simple stories of the bible and make them come to life. All the energy that I put into teaching at school is being funneled into Patton's Sunday School (with MUCH less work:)). We created a HUGE rainbow above Noah's Arc today to remember God's promise to never send a flood like that again.

Loved this weekend and ready for a new week. Yes I am writing...I am excited to go back to work tomorrow...only to start another great week w/ my job and family.

Hope you had a great weekend too!
Rhi

Monday, October 11, 2010

Meal plan for this week

I am going to give a shout out to my husband and boys for not going out to eat for 2 weeks now:) We have been deligent w/ eating at home. It is amazing to hear the things we are all thankful for (as we have to give two things to pray for each meal): table, chairs, rice, (any thing we are having and if the boys don't know they ask w/ one eye open as we pray), mommy's, daddy's, days off, good weather, etc.

I am so thankful for freezer cooking so it allows me to keep FLYing and also provides a good meal for my family. For example, on Saturday night we were to have frozen pizza, but I didn't have my hubby's favorite...so he resorted to the Bertolli meal of shrimp and liguini. It was okay, but high in fat, sodium, etc and cost a dollar more than entire meal for my whole family w/ freezer cooking:) Fun times in the Svitak's.

here is what we are serving this week:

Monday: BROKE the no eating out rule as Daddy was working on the house very hard today...so free labor = $10 pizza from Pizza Hut

Tuesday: Swim Lesssons + Family Night at Library + Grandma and Grandpa Jimmy coming to town = RED ROBIN

Wednesday: Beef and Noodles* w/ green beans

Thursday: Round Steak and Mushroom gravy w/ red potatoes (3 lbs brown round steak, 1 package Lipton Onion Soup, 1 can of cream of mushroom in crockpot 4-6 hours)

Friday: TWIG - Baked Ziti*

Saturday:
I am excited to have my family over for the TX game. Why my family? Caleb is coming back w/ his girlfriend and they are going to the NE vs TX game...so I thought I would invite my family to come over (that is not attending the game) and watch the game. This challenges the #1 FLY LADY rule: FLYing = no CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). I refuse to go crazy w/ cleaning instead...cont w/ my routines I have set up and my house will be ready any day this week for a crowd:)
Lunch: Santa Fe Chicken Nachos* and/or Beef Calzone*
Snacks: Salsa/Sour Cream Dip w/ crackers, Ham/Pickle/Cream Cheese rollups
Dinnner: Chili and Cinnamon Rolls

Sunday: We get to go help our great friends, Don and Maggie, celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary for lunch.
D: Spaghetti and corn

Hope you have a great week. If you haven't checked out the "flylady" you need to...I can't tell you how nice life is to have a house that is picked up, meals on the table each night, and no stress about any of the previous said:)

Rhiannon

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

thought for the day...

After returning from Awana, both Kenner and Patton needed use the restroom. After Kenner did 1-2-3 (pee, flush, wash hands), he walked out and said, "Do you know why Bubbi and I wanted to go to the bathroom together?"

"No I don't know Kenner." I replied.

"We wanted to make a cross w/ our pee."

I guess they are learning something...

Monday, October 04, 2010

pure sweetness

I have MANY stories and pictures to blog about...but I can NOT post this one before I go to bed tonight.

We had a FAB weekend in Hebron just playing w/ Fall and family. Sunday we were able to go to Belivedere for their Museum Day. I remember helping my grandma w/ her pottery WAY BACK when, so it brought back good memories from those days and created new ones w/ all the new things they have and having my boys there to share in it.

As we were eating lunch w/ Rylan, Annie, Gma Jan, Gpa Jim, Kenner, Patton and myself at a large round table, Gpa Jimmy was sharing a story w/ me. Patton interrupts his story by saying, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy (you get the picture)." I look at Gpa w/ the "I'm sorry for interrupting" look and said, "Patton, Gpa is telling me a story, please don't interrupt." He looks at me and says, "I wove you Mommy." Uhm...I guess you can interrupt Gpa's story to tell me that. It hit my heart like it always does...but I think he won a few other hearts over (gpa, gma and Annie) w/ that comment as well.

"I wove you too Patton." and off w/ Gpa's story.

Meal plan for this week

I am LOVING eating as a family each night and having some type of control on what my boys (and I) are eating. Next accomplishment will be portion control..he he he

Monday: Chow Mein - a family recipe. It was yummy, but missed the environment of my Grandma Jan's house.

Tuesday: Giant Beef Calzone (FC) and green beans
Freezer Cooking exchange - This is what I will be receiving in my freezer to use the next month or two...yummo!
Giant Beef Calzone
Beefy Noodle Soup
Poppy Seed, Ham and cheese Melts
Hearty Corn Chowder
Manicotti
Chicken Lelani
Chicken in a Pot
Meal in One Dish Pork Chops
Baked Ziti

Wednesday: Spaghetti Casserole w/ corn

Thursday: Beef Brisket w/ BBQ Sauce in Betty Crocker Cook book Crock Pot section
NE football vs K State 6:30

Friday: Meal in One Dish Pork Chops (FC)

Saturday:
L: Might go to the zoo to play penguin golf to support the new penguin exhibit or we might STAY home...
D: Homemade pizza or go to Omaha to see Daddy finish the run in the Market to Market relay

Sunday:
L: Chicken in a Pot w/ noodles and peas
D: Leftover buffet (Grocery Cart Lady does this, and this just might be the week for leftovers)

have a great week!

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Lincoln Freezer Cooking group, please let me know. It is such a blessing to our family and this tired mommy!