Porch - Before and somewhat after

Before (and we thought we were safe walking on it) Little did we know that they rotted boards that were on the top were the only supports holding us up. Crazy that no one fell through!

NEW PORCH!

I have only finished painting the right side of the porch...now to finish the roof and the last side of the house.

Meal Planning Monday

Monday
L: out to eat (boys are gone and Casey is working on the porch...gotta "pay" him somehow:))
D: unsure...

Tuesday
L: eating at Cristina's with my friends for one last mexican dinner with my friend Jennifer in Crete
D: I have a Pampered Chef Bridal Shower in Plattsmouth...so maybe on our own

Wednesday
L: Sandwiches (will probably be picking up the boys)
D: Grilled Kabobs

Thursday
L: Hotdogs and beans (yum I know...)
D: Simple Elegant Steak and Rice

Friday
L: Grilled Cheese
D: Probably headed to Aurora

Saturday
L/D: In Aurora - I have a Pampered Chef Bridal Shower on Sat morning

Sunday
L: Picnic lunch after church...we have to get ready for VBS
D: Hobo Meal on Grill

There are some great sales today at Hyvee (including Cottage cheese...so I will be making a ton of lasagnas this week to freeze). yum!

Lemonade anyone?

If anyone sees these three boys sitting (or any kids for that matter) along side the road, please stop. The parents will then see this...

as a response:) Kenner was SO excited to get customers!

Annual Memorial Day Project

Thanks to everyone honoring Military on Memorial day...our weekend usually ends up in a big project. Retaining wall added this year. Landscaping done this year.
I know did a project last year at this time...but I can't remember. This year's project was putting a new porch on. We kept everything the same except the flooring...so I guess I should have said - putting a new floor on our porch.
BEFORE: Yikes...after tearing this off we were lucky that Grandpa Jimmy was the only one to fall off our porch. We can't believe that no one fell tHROUGH it!

After pictures to come.

Torch Run

We were able to go to our first Saltdog's Game of the year and also see our Dad help run the Cornhusker State Game torch in. It was pretty cool to see our dad out there! Can you spot him?

coupons, frugality, life

Today I had a very successful grocery shopping trip. Did I get a ton of things free? Did I wow the cashier? Neither.

I was able to get groceries for my family with two boys in tow for the next two weeks and spent $54. Yes I did use coupons and yes I did price match a few things. My trip today was one for beginners, but in some sense I feel accomplished.

In my journey through the coupon world of frugality and finding the best deals and ONLY getting those deals while traveling through life, I have decided to take a break. If you know any ounce of me you know that I am very competitive. My life game has been with the groceries and managing my family. Life has quickly reminded me lately that God is in complete control of my life as well as ours. No matter how hard I try to control every bit of it...it isn't in my hands. For a year and 1/2, I have tried to control so much that I feel that I am a bit overwhelmed with trying to predict the grocery sales, scoping out all the latest sales on all the blogs, cutting coupons, planning my grocery store visits, etc. Somehow if a person would keep that up...many other things go by the wayside or never get started (i.e. go fish game with Kenner, sewing projects, playing catch with Patton).

Although it has "killed" me in the past to purchase something that wasn't the cheapest that I could possibly get it, somehow today I had a realization that spending a certain amount of money on groceries a week and getting what we need for that week is a much better plan. I am going to start budgeting $50 a week for our groceries (which includes diapers and toiletries). I was able to spend $54 today and still purchased some "stock up" items.

I had a great conversation with a friend about grocery shopping. She pointed out that even if she buys more than she needs on sale...it is just like money sitting on her shelves. There is a huge debate out there about stocking up versus buying what you need for a week at a time. I have lived the "stocking up" life for a year and 1/2. I am going to try to live the buy what we need life for a while to see which one works better. Gayle over at the Grocery Cart Challenge does this for her family and does extremely well with budgeting her family's groceries. I will still buy "stock up" items if they fit within the budget in the week. This may limit my Wags and CVS shopping...but I might be saving time and money in the end just shopping Super Saver and price matching.

I am sorry to bore you all with this conversation, but I wanted to document my thoughts today for my other frugal grocery shoppers. I also want to know your thoughts - What kind of shopper are you?

Have a great week!

Meal Planning Monday

No you aren't reading someone else's meal planning...it is mine. I have actually gotten up the energy and able to somewhat think about food in order to plan our meals this week.

Monday:
L: Healthy Choice Frozen meals (yes this seems crazy...but I got them on SUPER sale and the boys think it is fun to do this once in a while:))
D: Beef Brisket w/ BBQ sauce - From Betty Crocker's Crock Pot section

Tuesday
L: Sack lunch in park - going to Toddler time at the Library
D: Turkey Burgers with broccoli and rice casserole

Wednesday
L: PB and J Sandwiches
D: Homemade Sausage and Pepper Pizza

Thursday
L: leftovers (the boys and I are leaving for Hebron, then me to Salina to help my Aunt with a show)

Dinners/Lunches for Casey while we are gone: Sandwich, frozen pizza, hotdogs (special ones for him).

Time fore life

Kenner and Patton have created many stories during the past month that I have not been able to document (due to all day sickness) and can't recall (due to pregnancy brain). They have been very creative when playing. I am reminded everyday how blessed I am to have the boys so close together, because they are each other's best friend. This is another reminder that this new addition to our family will also be a blessing. It is just extremely hard to get over all the plans I have/had in my OCD mind to accomplish this summer, starting a new job, etc. Morning sickness (which has been all day) hasn't been nice to me either. Well enough getting over myself:) I will hopefully get pictures of our weekend. The boys and I had a great time at Aunt Annie's house for a garage sale and a Pampered Chef bridal shower. I was paid $80 to clean my basement:)

Hope you all have a great week!

God questions

Kenner has been full of God questions lately. They often come in car after we have been traveling somewhere for about 10 minutes and it has been quiet. Tonight's is one for the memory books...

K: "Mom, does God remote control us?"

Me: Well (gathering my thoughts) God is not completely control of our lives. (then thinking...He really is). God is with us everywhere. He gives us the decision to right or wrong, but God does know what choice we will be making. (Wow too deep for a 4 year old). In other words, Kenner, God is always with us. When we come to a hard decision we need to always ask God for help. He will help us if we ask.

He was satisfied or silent for now. It is amazing what God is doing in his life. I am sure he has heard Mommy say several times in the past week that I am not in control of my life, but God is (due to the new baby news). I guess he is listening more than I think...yikes!

News in the Svitak household...

We have quickly learned or been graciously reminded in the past couple weeks that we are not in control of our lives...God has a plan for us no matter how much we plan around him:)

We will be adding to our family in Jan.

Fun!

Here are my P90X work out buddies. I will really miss our workouts! Kenner's preschool class

Random May Pics

Kenner's fabulous Preschool teacher - Miss Anne Kenner shooting some hoops at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Patton got to attend his first birthday party at the Lincoln Children's Museum.

One Saturday morning, we got to go watch a circus move into town and set up. It was pretty awesome. We got a "keeper chat" with the Lion Tamer. It was fun to get so close to the animals.

Before the tents were up.

Going to the Lincoln Zoo for Train Day. They have a new climbing structure! We got to go with our cousin Olivia and Rylan. It was a lot of fun especially feeding the goats.

Looking at the trains.

Cousin LOVE

We got to go over to our friend Josh's house and play play play!

Contentment

This is exactly what a friend and I are thinking recently...she puts it into such GREAT words!

http://littlejungfarm.blogspot.com/2010/05/deal-of-week-contentment.html

Still here

It has been a long time since my last actual post. I have so many pictures on my camera and many memories to share. Since it has been so nice, we have been outside rather than sharing with the world what we are doing cooped up:)

I have also done a few t-shirt quilts (4) and one grad video, along with finishing up with school. School ends next WEDNESDAY! WOOT WOOT! (these are truly the only words that can explain how completely excited I am!)

We have found a swallows next in my hanging flowers. Which works well for everyone, except maybe the swallows. They don't make a muddy mess in one of the corners of our porch. The boys and I can check on our 6 eggs by taking the hanging flower down and checking on them. I am waiting to get swarmed by the mom...but not yet.

Hope you all have a great weekend. We are headed to a bday party that the Children's museum, then to Hebron for graduations.

View from my dinner table

Tonight at dinner I was just sitting and enjoying my view of my three guys having fun playing the silent game, Daddy trying to coax them into eating by having them eat at the same time. The picture didn't come out as great at I thought I would...but it is sufficient for me. It is not a still picture but a moment in time where we are spending as a family. Many times I miss those moments with wanting to get the perfect picture. This is in no way perfect...but perfec to me:) Just snap shot into the evening of the Svitak's.

Meal plan for this week

Well I am not sure I could even tell a person what my grocery bill has been this month, because life has just been out of control. The carnival is over, school is winding down, and the boys and I are enjoying life. I will get back on the watch wagon in May. I still have a major compulsion that I can't get buy anything without it being on sale...so be assured that I have stayed under my $300 budget...just can't tell you exactly:)

We had a great weekend at home. This week will be filled with friends and sewing. I have a few things going on at school with end of the year socials and I have 4 tshirt quilts to get completed...yikes!

Monday:
Hamburgers with grilled mushrooms and squash

Tuesday:
BLT's and Doritos (yes I splurged...1.77 a bag:))

Wednesday:
Crock pot Roundsteak with something:)

Thursday:
Ham and Cheesy potatoes

Friday:
At my friend Amber's house:)

Saturday:
L: Boys at Track meet with my mom and Rylan - me sewing maniac
D: Homemade pizza

Sunday:
L: Out to eat
D: Grilling out

Have a great week!

Planting

The boys got a chance at choosing their own flowers and planting them how they want. It was a fun activity for them to do and be proud of as they grow (cross our fingers they grow...or we will have another lesson in the life cycle).

Omaha Zoo with cousin

We had a great weekend with Annie, Rylan, Jeremy and Aunt Becca last weekend. Here are a few more pictures (refer to previous post) Anxiously awaiting the train.

A mom trying to capture a moment in time:)

This is the reason to never leave these three alone at the same time...Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Nothing like cousin fun!

Teddy Bear Weekend at Omaha Zoo

The Henry Doorly Zoo had a Teddy hospital and check up center last Saturday. We were able to go for free with my sister and nephew. It was an awesome day. Both Quackie and Puppy checked out fine.

Both Kenner and Patton checked their animals in by themselves. Kenner said that Quakie's mouth didn't work. The lady looked at me and said, "It isn't suppose to open." I looked at her like "play along lady." They were all very nice and all volunteers!

Puppy needs to eat a little more, because his weight is dropping everytime he gets washed:)

Quackie's foot x-rayed fine (yes that is a copier...so creative!) BTW Ducks have webbed feet not people feet, but good thing that Kenner didn't pick up on that.

The clean and repair station.

Patton wasn't sure about having Puppy go through all the vigorous tests...but he gave in after a little coaxing from his brother.

Stories from Last week

From the last post, I have not had my camera ready...so sorry that these stories are pictureless.

Locked in car
- I got out of the car on Wed night between School and Awana. I left the keys and my purse (which holds the spare set) in the car. Kenner proceeded to climb into the front see pursuing gum, but found my keys. He then pushed every button on the keys - lock, unlock, lock, panic button. Meanwhile Kenner's side door is open and Patton still in his heavy harnessed car seat. I ripped the keys out of Kenner's hands, pressed the panic and thought all was okay. Kenner climbed out and closed the door as I ventured around the car to get Patton out. Went to open Patton's door, when I realized it was locked. Patton must have read the expression on my face, because he let out a shrill like no other. The poor child was locked in the car while locked in his car seat. It was like a person stuck in a fish bowl. Daddy was summoned by Kenner and Daddy stepped Patton through the process to get out of his shoulder straps enough to reach for the car door. Only in time for me to test all the doors one more time and viola...the driver's side door was unlocked. AMEN. Thanks to child lock's...Patton would not have been able to get out of the car even if he would have been able to reach the door handle.

Stop and sit down Mommy
- Kenner and Patton (and I) did our first Lincoln Safari this weekend. We went to the Water Conservation garden (which I might add many of the plants in the garden are ones we have around our house...5 points for us for choosing the cheapest plants but also the ones that take the least amount of water). The garden is on North 27th, which is a very busy street. I really wanted the boys to get out in the nice weather, blow off some steam and get back in the car so I could get some things done. Kenner and Patton wanted to sit on a bench. "Sit on a bench and watch the TRAFFIC?" I thought. I refused at first, then sat. It is amazing how fast we all go, but hardly ever take time to just sit and watch. I had a boy on either side of me. It was a great time to reflect how quickly their 3 and 4 year old lives have passed and I am continued to be worried about getting my to do list done. Hmmm...reality check? I think so!

Helicopter lands in SPRAGUE
- On Saturday, the boys and I arrived in Sprague, only to be passed by speeding police cars and an ambulance. Every time I see one I pray for the person and the family that is suffering. We pulled up and saw many people gathered around the bar. Then we heard a helicopter...surely they wouldn't bring a helicopter to Sprague. They sure did and it landed in a grassy field just outside the town. A high school boy had been doing tricks on his bike when he landed face first into the concrete going quite fast. I pray for the boy that he recovers. By the time he was being flown, he was able to recall his name. It brought back many memories of our sweet (CRAZY) Kenner who was flown to Omaha. Yuck and THANK YOU GOD for allowing us more time with Kenner. May this too be a reminder that I take a lot for granted...and kissing my boys to bed and hearing them say, "I love you Mom." Is something I won't take for granted.

Meal plan for this week

This week will be crazy with the CRETE ELEMENTARY CARNIVAL on Friday...but here is the plan for my meals.

Monday - Layered Mexican Casserole (that we didn't eat tonight, because Grandma Carlece took us to Pizza Hut)
Tuesday - Daddy's smoked pork and green beans
Wednesday (AWANA) - Frozen Pizza
Thursday - Stir Fry with Chicken (cheap broccolli and cauliflower at Hyvee:))
Friday - CARNIVAL!
Saturday (pending on Aunt Annie's plans)
L: Mac and Cheese or Sandwiches at the Omaha ZOO!
D: ?? Momma's choice

Sunday:
L: Lunch Bunch with the Holm's
D: Hamburgers and Grilled Veggies

Meal plan for this week

We had a great weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Elge's house. It was a huge treat to have Great Grandma Georgene as our cheerleader for our kickball game:)

Here is the plan for the week:

Monday - eat out of fridge...if we are hungry with the amazing meals this weekend:)

Tuesday - bacon wrapped turkey fillets (aka turger burger with bacon wrapped around it) with some veggie

Wednesday - Leftover chicken something in the crockpot:)

Thursday - Ground beef tacos with beans

Friday - Homemade pizza with sausage

Saturday - Guard Drill
L: PC party in Omaha
D: left overs

Sunday - Guard Drill
L: PC party in Lincoln
D: Layered Mexican casserole - out of my Busy Woman's cookbook.

Have a great week!

Quiet = Trouble (usually)

I am so blessed to have a built in playmate with the boys. I was able to get my sister's wedding quilt done, curtains hemmed, and started on the 3 Tshirt quilts I have to do all with my boys playing nicely with each other. I become super suspicious when the pitter patter of feet stop, because that means they have done something really bad or they are not within my ear range.

2 projects into the morning I could not hear them playing upstairs any longer...so I went to investigate. I knew I had left a bag of sugar on the table (from breakfast) and I had a few other possible disasters waiting to be initiated by the boys upstairs...so I cautiously went upstairs. This is what I found...
...two innocent boys watching TV without clothes. I am glad it wasn't sugar, but I wasn't sure why they didn't have clothes on,but it made me laugh!

Thanks to Cindy (our postmaster) the boys received a package in the mail today. They LOVED the candy, stickers and STICKY HAND in it.

Grandparent's Day

Due to the busy week, only Grandma and Grandpa Kenner were able to come visit for Grandparent's Day. It was a great time. Patton got to ride the bus with Kenner to come for a visit...which was a special treat.

new header

Thanks to Pastor Keith, Kenner is really into telling jokes. His jokes are not jokes at all, but rather a 2 part conversation ending in a one person laugh (Kenner, not mommy) that is first initiated by "You aren't going to believe this one Mom,...(joke)". I thought I would change our header in celebration of the great weather and fun we are having outside and in the car.

Hope you have a glorious Spring as well!

Family Fun in Omaha

Besides Patton being in timeout (for the exception of snapping these pictures) the entire time, we had a great weekend in Omaha last weekend. We stayed at Aunt Becca's (uncle Mike was gone). It will probably be the last time we are invited to stay...Patton broke a coaster by pushing it off and falling through her staircase, breaking a candlestick and smearing red candle on her wall, and coloring on the carpet. Yes YIKES!

On to the good times though...
Dying eggs at Aunt Annie's house with Rylan. Playing at the park by Becca's house. As you can tell Spring has not quite arrived when you are still playing in your winter coats at the park...but we will stress playing at the park which was OUTSIDE!!:)