New Living room

This week or last weeks have been absolutely crazy! I am posting some pictures of the big project that did not take any nailing, plastering, or painting...just redecorating. With the help and guidance of my mom and my friend Heather, also the help of resources through my Aunt Jane, I was able to redecorate...or shall I say FINALLY decorate the front room in our house. As you can see from the before to after pictures...it finally feels and LOOKS like a room!

Dining room

Living room with two panels beside each other and no slip covers on the chairs.

Living room curtains but no slip cover

Ahh! Living room with slip covers and "make shift" pillows on the chairs. Also one panel...what do you think? Yes mom, the carpet is going in April. Can you see the small square of carpet by the door? That is the color we are going to go with.

Mini story about a muffin

Below is a picture of a simle and delicious banana muffin brought to us by Grandma Kelly. This morning (Sunday after day light savings time), I got up, went to Crete, did swallowing therapy with a gentleman, came back home, caught up with my coupons while Casey got the boys up and ready for church. While the boys were eating breakfast, I thought I would forgo a sitting down breakfast and eat a muffin on the way to church. I worked on picking up the house while the boys were occupied eating breakfast. It is a breathe of fresh air to come home refreshed from church and to enter a clean or I should say picked up house.

I had several things to carry to car so I thought it would be a mindless and harmless job for Kenner to carry my muffin to the car. I glanced a few times throughout the process of going to the car and loading up for church. At one moment, Kenner was holding the muffin then it switched hands to Patton. Harmless...right?
After making my third trip back from the car, I loaded Patton into the car while Casey was loading Kenner. I glanced at Kenner and said in shock and mild anger, "Where is my muffin Kenner?" "Ugh" and he peers down at his coat pocket. "IT IS IN YOUR POCKET?" maybe a bit more anger coming through. Casey chimes in, "Quite resourceful Kenner." I laugh and lose the anger part. Kenner pulls the muffin from within his coat and says, "It is broken Mommy." "It is okay Kenner." I replied and climbed into the front seat. I am starving to I proceed to take the wrapper off and begin to eat. Patton chimes in from the back seat as I am putting the first bite into my mouth, "It is broken because we dropped it Mommy." "Oh" "...BUT we stopped it before it rolled into the street and the mud, Mommy." "Yum and thank you for stopping it before it rolled into the street...because muffins in the street are not good."

If anyone knows what our sidewalks and driveways look like post snow melt...you would be gagging at the fact that I happily ate the entire muffin.

Funny times!

St. Patrick's Day cupcakes

The boys and I (or should I say...just me) had a lot of fun making rainbow cupcakes. I got the idea from here on Family Fun First I started with dividing two recipes of cake batter into 6 different bowls and colored them. After thought, I wish I would have used a purple or deeper color...but they were still yummy and fun. Then I took my small scoop from Pampered Chef and put a single color in at a time.

They turned out yummy and fun all at the same time.

Can you taste the rainbow?

Fun at Birthday and Hyvee

Kenner had his 2nd birthday party to attend on Saturday. It was at Crete ATA. He learned a simple lesson on martial arts. It was fun. His dad was excited to see him standing at ATTENTION:)

We GOT THE COUPON lady at HyVee today. She was great. She even used odd coupons and saved me even $1.55 more than I had thought! THANK YOU! Her name was Barbara. Such a blessing today...she even gave us two coins to use on the machines that are normally "broke" according to mom:)

Crazy Fun

Friday was such a treat to have Casey's family here after Lucy's violin lessons. As you can see we had a lot of crazy fun! So much fun in fact that I even made the blog...credit goes to photographer Kenner.

New Shop for Boys

The boys were blessed with an amazing gift on Friday. Grandpa Dennis had thought about making the boys their own "shop" for Christmas. Just like anything that Grandpa Dennis does...they are well thought out, perfect craftmanship, and many loving touches. The boys LOVE them! We even spent all Saturday morning organzing the toys in the basement to make room for their new shops. Now they only need machinery to fill those shops...just like any farmer - can't be happy with just one tractor:) Thanks Grandpa Dennis! They are awesome!
We love you - The General's

Meal Planning Monday (or Sunday...)

This week or shall I say next month will be crazy...but if it isn't crazy it isn't life:)

Monday - Smoked pork loin and asparagus
Tuesday - Pizza at School with 4-h group that is helping us with the carnival
Wednesday - Awana night so Frozen pizza
Thursday - Chicken Tortilla Bake (got it from the Con Agra coupon booklet)
Friday - TWIG - Pot luck Cheesy Pizza Casserole
Saturday - L: Wild Rice Soup D: Our friend Lane's Bday party
Sunday: L: out to eat D: leftovers

Hope you all have a great week. You should see what I am making for PEO on Monday night...I will post later with the steps so you too can make St. Patrick's Day a fun one:) Warning Sprague residents...you will soon be getting two little knocks on your door delivering late Valentine's/early St. Pat's desserts:)

Rhi

Meal Planning Monday

I was able to exchange some meals for freezer cooking last week, which meant I got to pick my friend Carla's brain for a few minutes. She is a complete inspiration to me. She is a POSITIVE mom, great wife, and great friend (even to me which I know her through other people). I could only wish to be her:) She and I have talked frugalness this past year. She has lived like the lady on the "Grocery Cart Challenge." I have lived the shop CVS, Walgreens, and free world. Carla has spent less on groceries, while I have not spent any more than previous years but I have a TON more in my house. She brought up a good point, "Money in my pocket is better money spent sitting on my shelves." Hmm! So in honor of this great point, I am going to continue to shop my cupboards before making my meal plan. I did a great job of this last year in the beginning of the year, but then got sucked into all the great deals. I will still hit the great deals, but with a maximum I can spend each month. When my "envelope" is empty for groceries...so too is my desire for the great deals:)



I am also needing to defrost my freezer...so we are eating out of our cupboards and freezer the next month:)



Monday - Roast and carrots (crock pot)

Tuesday - Spaghetti (simple Hunt's sauce and no meat) and corn

Wednesday - Either smoked pork (yes we just got a smoker:) YUM!) or frozen pizza

Thursday - out to eat with Gma and Gpa:) We love it when they come to town!

Friday - Tuna and noodles

Saturday - L: Heather's house (I have plenty of hot dogs to share:)) D: Pork tacos with black beans**

Sunday - Lunch Bunch at Church D: Chicken and green beans



**I was inspired to make my own beans. I bought a bag from Super Saver, soaked the black beans for two days on my counter (waited to see the white sprouting from the middle), put them in my crockpot on low over night. I bagged them and now will use them on Saturday night.

Tile GALORE!

My mom graciously took the boys (and Rylan) home this weekend, so Casey and I could work like mad on our house:) I would say we have worked like mad:) and not even had a fight...how is that for a project with no arguments:)
Kitchen Before: Kitchen before grout.

Kitchen before:

Kitchen before grout.

Bathroom with the vanity and the light.

Bathroom

Here is an update of our bathroom. I hope the paint wasn't too green...what do you think? Casey is pretty amazing at all that he can do. We had a friend come over from our church and help Casey with the tile. The guy wrestled my dad in state wrestling when they were in high school. Small world!

This is a picture of Dr. Seuss's birthday today of my friend, Teresa. She has a heart of gold. These are the people that I will miss seeing everyday! Too bad the sun was glaring in the picture...but it still shows what a great friend I have!

what would you do without me...

Kenner and Patton are growing up before my eyes. Kenner is such a big helper and Patton, well, is Patton (aka Annie). They are really desiring to be at home more...me too, but the time will come in May that I can stay home two days a week more:)

Tonight I did my Motivated Mom planner and I asked the boys to help me. Patton, of course, went about his own business NOT helping. Kenner was at my side before I could say, "Come help me." Kenner is my cleaner of the cupboards. I love having my dark cupboards, but they show dirt alot! He loves doing it and does it well. As he was cleaning the cupboards and I was cleaning the floor, he looked at me and said, "What would you do without me, Mom?" I replied, "I don't know Kenner. I am so proud of you and all that you help me with."

How sweet is that?

Another funny comment today from Kenner. Note: today was Dr. Seuss's birthday and they were going to have a birthday party at preschool. Kenner got out of the car (at daycare), glanced over to school and said, "I know that they are going to have balloons at our birthday party" in a very sure voice. He looked at me and I tried to keep in the laughter knowing that they probably weren't going to have balloons and said, "Yeah." Then he looked at me with a puzzled look, "They have balloons at all birthday parties, don't they?" "Yes they do." Then I proceeded to go to school and call his teacher and tell her this story. When I went into the room, they had hung balloons from the ceiling. Kenner was so excited:) Kenner has an amazing preschool teacher in Miss Anne!

Meal Planning Monday

Monday - Beef and Noodles - Extra special with canned meat from my Grandma Jackie. YUM!

Tuesday - Cream of Chix and Biscuits (leftover chicken from my freezer)

Wednesday - Ham and Eggs (leftover ham from a ham a made a week ago)

Thursday - Roast...still deciding but Roast will be main ingredient. Any suggestions?

Friday - Homemade Pizza

SAturday
L: Mac and Cheese and Hot dogs (I have SEVERAL free Fairbury brand hotdogs from Super SAver and this is Patton's favorite)
D: Chix and Wild Rice Soup

Sunday:
L: Out to eat
D: Left overs or mom's choice:)

who are you 15,000?

I would like to know who came to my blog for the 15,000 hit. If you could leave me a comment on here when you do hit 15,000 and I will give you a little Pampered Chef prize:)

Thanks for checking my blog. I am doing it for my children so these stories can be documented, but knowing that you all check my blog keeps me updating it more regularly. A big shout out to the boys' Great Grandma Georgene in Aurora:) We love that you can watch us grow although we don't get to see you that much:(

Super Saver baggers

So anyone that knows me that grocery shopping is not an easy task, especially when I get to the check out so that I can make sure I am getting the right price and also getting the correct coupons and also matching the prices that I need to be priced from various stores. This is a job that normally is something I would do childless. I was not blessed to do that today...so the boys were with me. As soon as they unloaded the cart, they are usually off looking at the movies or getting into something that I have to pay for later. Today they wer exceptionally quiet. I couldn't see them any where. Then I glanced down at my cart and I saw that I already had two bags in my cart that were bagged. I glanced down at the end of the line where the bags where and there were two little head sticking out. They were busily bagging my groceries...or shall I say, Kenner was bagging the groceries and Patton was pressing the button to get the groceries to the end of the line. It was so cute and I was so proud of them. I took two pictures and everyone in Super Saver was looking at me. Little did they know I have a crowd to please on my blog:) so having an illustration to go along with my story makes it even better.

I am so proud to have two little boys growing up so fast. They got to play outside yesterday and the TV was not on all day!! WOO HOO! Hopefully it continues to stay nice outside. I am almost at a momentous mark with my blog with 15,000 hits:) Most of them coming from me probably:)

Almost stellar day at CVS today...

because I had my lovely children with me I some how lost a $5 off $15 purchase today:( in the store...but I still did okay.

1st Transaction:

Huggies box of diapers 64 ct- 19.99 -$1 Q = 18.99

Soft Soap 4.49 -$1 Q = 3.49

-$5 ECB from previous purchase

= 19.19

get $4ECB from Diapers and $4 ECB from Soft Soap

2nd Transaction:

3 Electrosol tabs 20 ct at 4.00 each -$1 Q (x 3 I found two of the Q on the Electrosol website)

Valentine's candy .10

-$4 ECB

-$4 ECB

= 1.94

Total for today should have been $36.48 (without tax) and I purchased it for 21.13 with tax!!

Had I NOT lost my $5 off I would have been able to get this all for 16.00. Seeing that just the box of Huggies would have been 19.99...I would say I did pretty well:) It is a learning process and it has taken me forever to finally have a day like today. When a person buys diapers...there isn't too cheap of a way to get around them (unless of course you hit the Walgreens friends and family day...)

Yes the cashier was extremely nice and allowed me to have a lot more coupons than I had products. I was prepared though...I had valentine's candy in my cart for .10 (90% off) in case I needed to add on products.

Check on Chicks dig deals for deals that might benefit you.... www.chicksdigdeals.blogspot.com This website is run by two amazing women who live and worship locally in Lincoln. I am SO Grateful for them!

Where was I...

This weekend was a weekend full of remembering where was I...

...I was having fun with my kids playing. I missed them so much the past three weeks with sickenesses taking them to both grandparents houses and then parent teacher conferences.

...I was enjoying having conversations with my boys. We watched Pocahantas this weekend. If you would ask Kenner the name he would say, "Hokaponas." Love it! Patton has a sinus infection (the kid can't cut a break anywhere with the sicknesses) and when telling his aunt Becca about it only Patton would say, "My head hurts, but I don't have diaharrea."

...I was enjoying finding deals and blessing my family. We were able to go get free pretzels from Aunt Anne's pretzel's in the mall. As I was telling the nurses at the doctor's office to go get a free pretzel from Aunt Anne's on Saturday, I could tell that Kenner was really thinking. As we were on the way out the car, I asked Kenner what he was thinking about. He replied, "Mom, why is Aunt Annie (my sister) giving out pretzels at the mall." Love it.

...I was enjoying a clean house. The dream of having a clean house and following my Motivated Mom Planner has come to a screeching halt due to the construction of our bathroom which is attached to our kitchen. One wouldn't think such a little bathroom would create such chaos in our house...but it does along with all the other mishaps while trying to just complete the little project. In the time of us starting this little project, Kenner's old twin bed broke. It was time to transform the crib to a full sized bed. So we have both the old twin bed pieces and the old crib pieces upstairs. Laundry seems to be an never ending saga. I have been trying to strip the woodwork in the doorways to our kitchen, but trying to use very harmful chemicals and not harming myself let alone block flying footballs, puzzle pieces, ducks, and boys from getting hurt from it is also a chore.

...I was enjoying my job. I ventured into my first job interview in 8 years. I felt like I was on a first date after the love of my life of 75 years had died. Essentially that is what has happened at Crete this year. I have SUCH a desire to help people with language dificulities, but unfortunately the school setting has really changed in Crete and has caused my desire to die or be murdered. I interviewed at Bryan LGH on Friday. It was so great to talk "shop" with other SLP's and see the profession at work. That is where my desire lies...to see my graduate and undergraduate education at work. I am hoping that a year off will allow my faith to grow in my profession and also to get my "love" back of my profession. I saw a glimpse of it yesterday.

...I was on facebook 24/7. I have found a stack of magazines that I haven't read in 6 months. I have found my books I got for Christmas and am loving them. I have found Go Fish with two non-language impaired kids is REALLY fun. This facebook thing is a lot of fun, but it also sucks alot of fun out my family.

...I was allowing dust to collect in my sewing room. I am getting some projects or shall I say parts of them done a little bit at at time. It is fun to have that time back. It is amazing what turning off the TV and staying away from the computer does to time.

I just thank God for all the reflections he showed me this weekend. I am so blessed to have all that I have, but many times I don't take time to love on them. I hope you all have a blessed week and can take time to love the little things in your life:)

Meal Planning Monday (or Sunday...)

Plans for the Svitak Meals this week:

Monday:
Enchiladas in the crock pot - cook the inside of the enchiladas in the crockpot all day, insert into tortillas and serve:) All recipes recipe adjusted

Tuesday:
Spaghetti Casserole (leftover spaghetti from another time, but just froze it and put cheese on top)

Wednesday:
Iowa Pork Steaks in the crock pot

Thursday:
Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

Friday:
Frozen or Homemade pizza (depending on my energy)

Saturday:
Coupon workshop at Zion, so leftovers/hotdogs/something easy for the boys at lunch.

My uncle Craig's specialty...cubed steak. I can't remember the name, such an easy name, but can't think of it at this moment.

Sunday:
Hopefully we get to meet up with our friend Ashley Hodges for Lunch Bunch for lunch

Leftovers for supper

no more facebook

After listening to a few radio stations yesterday and after attending Ash Wednesday and listening to the sermon, I have decided to give up something that possibly I need to cut back on but will be extremely difficult. Many of the choices were electronics, because they are running our lives. 40 days is the "normal" cycle for lessening a habit or kicking it. Unfortunately, facebook, farmville, and spending endless time on them gets me NO where, except with a pile of ever growing laundry, bills, and housework. I am desperate to keep up with my friends on facebook, but many times it isn't keeping up with them but rather keeping up with whether they brushed their teeth or not:)

I know that I will probably be replacing my facebook posts with most posts about the boys...but this is something that will mean more to the boys later in life than a list of facebook posts about me working out or something like that:)

One of my new year's resolutions was to cut back on farmville, but unfortunately I can't do it for myself...instead I am going to do it for God. I am excited to have more time to read Christian literature, our lenten readings and get back to my daily bible readings.

May you all have a blessed Lenten season and may we all grow together in our relationship with our Lord.

Happy Valentine's day

Bathroom update...no window and 1/2 a ceiling.

We have had a great Valentine's weekend. The boys are home from their trips to Camp Grandparents. I have stripped the doorways in our kitchen (one step closer to have a finished kitchen). I got awesome deals at Walgreens...yep spent only $7.27!!! on all of this:)

Valentine's supper - heart pizza, homemade valentines (with grandma Jan's help) and flowers for mom!

This was from Valentine's last year...Patton has really grownup! Kenner and I were able to have a special treat last week. Bubbi was in Aurora, so we went and had breakfast at Burger King in Crete. It was fun for both of us!

Daddy and Kenner enjoying some ice cream. Kenner with his goofy face. I can see that God answered my prayers way before I asked for them in having two children 15 months apart. Kenner as a single child is a lot more work than Kenner as an older brother:)

Random January Pics

Um...well no excuse except that I have been a lazy bum around here and not blogging about it:) Casey was gone to Hawaii for two weeks, boys were sick and sent to Aurora and Hebron for a few days (or shall I say about two weeks). We started on the bathroom remodel and I have found my sewing room again. Here are a few pics of the Svitak's having fun:)
The center of Becca and Mike's quilt. I have to do the little border and the outside border. Cousins getting ready for Sesame Street Live. We had TWO great weekends with Aunt ANnie and Rylan here. We need to do it MORE often! I LOVED IT!

Kenner with his friend at preschool. Answered prayers...definitely!

Kenner and myself at Black out day at School.

Sesame Street Live

Can you say CHEESE (patton)?

Boys playing trains on our new floor:)

Meal Planning Monday

Monday - Chicken Stir Fry (Chicken with stir fry frozen veggies in a pack I got for free:))

Tuesday- Pork Steak and cauliflower. I am desperate to use our grill:)

Wednesday - Awana - Leftover night

Thursday - Chicken and Rice in crockpot. Yes we have a lot of chicken this week...I have a lot of chicken to use.

Friday - OPENING NIGHT OF OLYMPICS!!! Homemade hamburger/green pepper/mushroom pizza

Saturday - Ham/Potato/Brocolli Casserole from All recipes. This recipe I searched for ingredients that I need to get out of my freezer. We will see how it goes

Sunday - Out for lunch. Leftovers for supper.

I am trying to get back on track with my New Year's Resolutions. Casey gone for two weeks, having a mid-life crisis (kind of) and making my mind up to change jobs next year, kidney stone, two boys puking and pooping (sorry with the meal planning post) can really do a number on motivation, positive attitude, and desire to serve anyone but myself. I am over everything and have been much happier this past three days:) I am excited to break out the Motivated Mom planner, meal planning, and begin to sew more!

I am so grateful to God to give me experiences in order to experience what life is like not living for him. It takes little moments to strength my relationship with Him.

Love Family and Friends

We are so blessed to have such great family and friends surround us and help us out. The boys had the stomach flu all week, so after being home on Mon and Wed this week neither Casey nor I were able to stay home on Friday with the boys. I met Kelly and Dennis in Waco on Thursday night so that boys could stay with them. They were supposed to come home on Friday, but were unable due to conflicts. I do miss the boys terribly...but having a cold and attempting to pass my 7th kidney stone...it has been nice to have quiet around our house.

I get to get them tomorrow...and I am anxious to see them. They have only slept in their new bed one night (more to come on that subject).

Well off to bed...sorry such a random post...but I need to keep up on my blog as it is a new years resolution:)