Sleeping Babies

I have noticed that even after the hardest of days, I can sit and watch my children sleep and be in awe at this gift that I have been given. I have spent countless hours staring at what was once not there and in disbelief that their sole care is in my hands (of course Matt's too). I cannot imagine my life without these children...what did I do before them? I take solace in these moments and they give me the strength to try to be the best mom to them, it is a daily struggle.

Menu Planning Monday

Monday-Panko Breaded Tilapia
Tuesday-Left-overs
Wednesday-Apple-stuffed Pork Chops
Thursday-Chili
Friday-Ham and Potato Soup
Saturday-Harvest Party
Sunday-Baked Potato Bar

Menu Planning Monday

Monday-Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup with Cornbread
Tuesday-Stroganoff
Wednesday-Matt's B-day!!! So...I am going to try to make Shrimp Fettuccine like Olive Garden
Thursday-Left-overs
Friday-Chicken Stir Fry
Saturday-Baked Chicken and Acorn Squash (sorry Matt)
Sunday-Chicken Soup with the leftover chicken and homemade noodles

Meet Ike

Matt did the number one, most uncharacteristic thing EVER! He showed up the other night with a little kitten he had found on the side of the road. MY husband never wanted us to have a cat. He was headed home with Sammy and saw this little black kitten on the side of the road. When he stopped, he came right up to him - it was meant to be! Our kids are in LOVE with this cat! Sammy carries him around everywhere and he just hangs there like a rag doll, purring away. Jordan too, loves the little kitty. I have no idea where Sammy got the name Ike came from, but it seems fitting.

The Toilet

I have all of a sudden developed a new relationship with toilets. This week, most of my problems are revolving around our toilet, yes, our toilet! All of a sudden, Jordan has been obsessed with getting into it while I shower. She found that she can splash and play with our bathtub toys in there. Obviously, this is just not going to work, so I have been taping the toilet lid down while I shower....Enter Sam, ready to use the toilet (for what they are supposed to be used for)....he is yelling that he can't open it and Jordan is trying desperately to get in as well - what is a mom to do? I have gone from the person who was disgusted by toilets, to a person who spends WAY to much time thinking about them! I can't believe my personal growth in this area, really. I would go all day to avoid a public restroom at any cost. Here I am, now watching (and jumping out of my skin) while my son flushes a public toilet with his hand...ugh, and taping our lid shut so my daughter doesn't bathe in ours. What will it be next?

Boo!!!

I am always on the lookout for a cheap and easy project and I think I have found the next, best thing. I ran across these "spooktacular" little ghosts and Samuel and I will be making them next week. I will be on the lookout for LED tea lights, as I have heard that they are a must have (especially with small children)!

What you need...balloons, cheesecloth, Elmer's glue, black felt

Here is how you do it...

• Blow up a few balloons in various sizes.
• Mix equal parts water and glue (I'm not sure of the exact amount).
• Soak the cheesecloth (cut up to the sizes you want) in the mixture, then lay them over the balloons.
• Leave about a day until they are very hard. Then you can pop the balloons and peel them off.
• Use the black felt to cut out different faces. In the end, each ghost will end up only costing you pennies, especially since you probably have some Elmers laying around!

Menu Planning Monday

What a great idea! This will be a great place to keep my menus. I do this every week anyway, but then misplace the recipes! You should check out the orgjunkie.com blog for other great organizing ideas. There are tons of ladies who post their menus there...fresh ideas!

Monday-Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuesday-Fish Tacos (hmm...fishy theme)
Wednesday-Beef Enchiladas
Thursday-Out of town/Matt-left-overs
Friday-Boys gone/Carley-left-overs
Saturday-Eat at Mom and Dad's
Sunday-Pasta-E-Fagioli Soup