Menu Monday

It's officially the week before Thanksgiving, and we will begin our 600 mile journey to visit family on Saturday.  Early Saturday.  Steven has decided we need to be on the road at 3:00am.  I think he forgot we have two young kids...and that I enjoy sleep.  Actually, I need sleep.  He may regret taking me on this Thanksgiving journey.  That or decide to depart from Chicago at a normal time.  We will see.  Until then, here's the menu for this week...

Monday-Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken, Pepperoni Pasta Salad, and Cheesy Biscuits
Tuesday-Chicken Club Salad with Honey Bread
Wednesday-Minestrone Soup, Italian Cheesy Bread, and Olive Garden Style Salad
Thursday-Chicken with Garlic and Tomatoes, Green Bean Casserole , and The Bread
Friday-Leftovers...I'll be too busy packing the family and going to bed at 4pm for that early rise Saturday morning.  I'm sure you'll think about me as you sleep in on Saturday morning.  All snug in your bed while I'm roughing it with the traveling version of Hitler in the car.  Go ahead, say a prayer for me.

Randomness

Because I have absolutely nothing to write about pertaining to one particular subject, you will receive a bunch of random things floating around in my head this morning.  Read at your own risk.  You very well may be stupider after reading this.  Not just stupider, but more stupider.

1. Using 'stupider' is actually bugging me.  It's not correct grammar.
2. I sure hope my former students would be able to recognize it's wrong.
3. My former students are off school today.  I know because they have a lot of posts of facebook today.  I think some of them forget they have their teacher as a friend because the use of the "F" bomb is astronomical.
4. I told those stinkers that using cuss words show a lack of vocabulary.  I guess they got stupider.
5. My left thumb hurts something fierce.
6. A very large 10 year old...and when I say large, I mean out weighing me by 50 lbs...slaughtered it at gymnastics last night.
7. Note to self...move hand before gigantic legs curl up in a back handspring thus smashing the thumb.
8. That could be the very reason why I've asked her to keep her legs STRAIGHT.
9. I think she gets it now.
10. I HOPE she gets it now.
11. I can see the dust on my furniture. 
12. It's disgusting.
13. I need to dust, but I am instead making a random list.
14. I also have unmade beds and laundry awaiting me.  Yuck.
15. Honestly, I have a toothbrush that is awaiting me as well.  Good thing you can't smell through a computer.
16. Little Man and Little Miss are coloring with markers.
17. Little Miss just got purple marker on her thumb.  She hates that she's messy.
18. She is now done.
19. I'm afraid I've passed on a very disastrous gene. 
20. So disastrous, I going to stop my random list.  If I don't, I'll have to continue to #25 or #30 because I must stop on a number ending in 5 or 0.  I told you it was a disastrous gene.

The Most Prized Jars

When we moved from our little house to our big house it was like Christmas.  Since our little house was approximately 1200 sq ft, we had little room for extras.  Simply put, our attic was crammed with items given to us when we were married that could not be squeezed into the house.  Most of the items were for the kitchen that my Grandma had passed down to me.  When we moved into our new house and I opened the boxes that had been stored for 7 years, I cried.  Not really, but I was excited.  Inside one of the boxes was a group of original Mason Jars.  I had not a clue they were tucked away all those years. If I had, I certainly would have found a space for them in the old house.  Granted it would have probably been in the living room since the kitchen was busting at the seams, but STILL...

Anyway, I have since cleaned them out and filled them with my baking staples.  It makes baking all the more sweet to open my pantry, reach in, and pull out a Mason Jar with the patent date of 1858.  Love it.  Absolutely love it.  And since I love it, you'll love it too...or...at least indulge me in my craziness.  Yes, that's probably what you'll do.  I'm quite certain there is no one else who would 'share' about their Mason Jars, but if you did I would come rejoice with you.  Totally.

The Party and the Day

It's been hard.  Having a four year old and all.  Not hard because of him, but hard that he's getting older.  Do you people realize he starts school in August?  AUGUST!  That's only nine months away.  I can't even fathom the thought of spending 1/2 a day away from him, and that's exactly what's going to happen.  I do not like this gettign older stuff.  Not one bit.  I guess for now we'll just enjoy our time together and forget about the future.  The future that will not include me for his every waking moment.

Saturday was Little Man's actual birthday and we had his actual party on that day too.  He pretty much had a four year old fun filled day.  Little Man woke up to his presents.  Bed head and all.  Have I mentioned that I love this guy?  I do.  I love him to pieces.

After he had some time to dig into that Play-Doh, we loaded up an headed to an old donut shop on our local Main St. The entire family definitely ate their fill of donuts.  Definitely.  Then we went to a children's museum in a neighboring city.  It wasn't as clean as I would have liked, but the kids had a blast.  I had a blast with the hand sanitizer afterwards.  If that wasn't enough, we still had an evening party.  Here's a glimpse of the party...

He had a great day, and Steven and I would like to thank those of you who were able to come to Little Man's party.  You helped make his day all the more special!

Menu Monday

Yet again, Monday has rolled around.  Another Monday.  I actually don't mind Mondays, but I thought I'd wallow with you a bit if Mondays weren't your thing.  Monday, blah.  Blah, blah, blah.  Okay, I'm done.  I'm just not a wallower.  I'm a half full kinda girl.  An optimist.  So this week is going to be good for me.  Especially good because Steven and I are getting a free date night with 8 of our friends and family at Fox and Hound.  Want to know how you can get one too?  I thought so.  Go here for some more details. 

Monday-Baked Chicken, Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Crescents
Tuesday-FREE Dinner @ Fox and Hound
Wednesday-Miniature Meatloaf, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Thursday-Ginger's Stuffed Burritos with Corn Saute
Friday-Sausage & Beef Hamburgers, Spring Potato Toss
Saturday-Parmesan Pork Chops with Herb Roasted Veggies
Sunday-Fish Tacos with Taco Dip (carried over from last week's menu)

Happy Cooking!!!

Wisp Clip Giving Project

Every month I like to run a special over at Wisp Clips on Facebook.  This month, I'm doing a giveaway.  If you do not have a facebook account, you can enter the giveaway here (just leave a comment on this post to enter).  Giveaway ends November 14th and the winner will be announced on the 15th.

Also, since it's November I thought it would be appropriate to show some thanks.  My family has been blessed, and I wish the same for you.  Unfortunately, many children live in worlds that we could not even imagine.  Love 146 is an organization that reaches out to children who know not what being a child is about.  It was difficult for me to initially read the stories about these children who have been purchased/stolen and forced into the sex slave industry, but I had to get passed it.  If I chose to turn my eyes and simply not think about it, I'd be turning my back God's creations.  I am thankful that the people of Love 146 are being proactive in rescuing, restoring, and preventing children from sex slavery.  

So, for the month of November every Wisp Clip product purchased, $1 will be donated to Love 146.  That means if you purchase 10 clips/bows, $10 will be donated to Love 146. 

I want to be careful to note that Love 146 knows nothing about me other than having records of our family's giving.  If you have organizations that you regularly donate to, please continue to give.  This is just a way to be giving and receive something for yourself or child.

Birthday Season

If you haven't notice so far, it's birthday season around here.  Once October hits, we know it's craziness until January 1st.  Here's the breakdown of birthdays...

October: niece, Little Miss, Chunky Monkey
November: Mom, Little Man, Mom's Husband
December: Steven and his twin

That's 8 birthdays in 3 months!!!

I mention all these birthdays because tomorrow is Little Man's 4th Birthday!  He is such a joy to my life.  He's compassionate, caring, tenderhearted, and crazy.  He is everything my husband is crammed into a little teeny tiny body.  I'm completely serious.  I watch him do things throughout the day that just scream Steven.  It's a good thing I like my husband or I'd be in trouble. 

For now, I'll leave you with this newborn pick of my firstborn baby...

Next week, I'll share the party pics.  It will be his first party where all his friends attend.  Exciting stuff!!!