A Mommy Montage: August 2011

September's Meal Plan

I mentioned a few days ago that I'd actually got around to doing up a menu plan for September. I thought I'd share it with you in case a recipe might interest you or you'd like to use the menu plan for yourself! Most everything listed are ol' faithful recipes (I'm in no position too get to creative right now!) but there are 4 new recipes I'll be trying out so I'll let you know how they turn out! You'll also notice a few things are repeated such as chicken dinners and pizza. These are family favorites and commonly frequent our table!

My plan is to recycle this plan next month making minimal changes according to what didn't go over well with the family and what gave me heartburn! ;)

Happy Meal Planning!

Sept.1: BBQ Chicken Caesar w/ Garlic Bread
Sept.2: Sweet and Sour Meatballs w/peas
Sept.3: Macaroni and Cheese w/ broccoli (Piper's Birthday supper choice!)
Sept.4: Quesadillas, Crispy Sweet Potato Fries and salad
Sept.5: Chicken Stew and rolls
Sept.6: Chilaquiles Casserole w/ salad
Sept.7: Baked Chicken Penne w/ asparagus
Sept.8: Broccoli Quiche, rice and corn
Sept.9: BBQ Hamburgers w/ veggies and dip
Sept.10: Pizza Party!
Sept.11: Chili and cornbread
Sept.12: Slow Cooker Roast w/ potatoes and carrots
Sept.13: Sweet and Sour Tofu on rice
Sept.14: French Chicken Broccolo Supreme *New Recipe*
Sept.15: Creamy Corn Chowder and rolls
Sept.16: Spaghetti w/ salad
Sept.17: Chicken Dinner (Taitum's Birthday supper choice!)
Sept.18: Chicken Soup w/ Garlic bread
Sept.19: Chicken Pot Pie w/ baked broccoli
Sept.20: Portobello Philly Sandwiches w/ Oven Baked Fries and carrots
Sept.21: Tex Mex Shepherd's Pie w/ salad
Sept.22: Spinach, Mushroom and Pesto Lasagna *New Recipe*
Sept.23: Veggie Omelettes, Hashbrown Casserole and Berry Smoothies
Sept.24: Chicken Curry, Feta Dip w/ bread and Greek Salad
Sept.25: Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Sept.26: Chicken Dinner w/ Twice Baked Potato Casserole *New Recipe*
Sept:27: Chicken Peanut Noodle
Sept.28: Tacos w/ veggies and dip
Sept.29: Chicken and Baby Corn Curry Soup and Sweet Potato Biscuits *New Recipe*
Sept.30: Homemade Pizza

*If there are any meals listed that don't have a link but you would like a recipe, just let me know and I'll send it to you!*

**Editted to add: Feta Dip, Crispy Sweet Potato Fries, Twice Baked Potato Casserole and Sweet Potato Biscuits!

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From Head to Toe

Today I saw our 3rd baby via ultrasound.

You'd think that it'd be no big deal having done this two times already.

But I am mesmerized and amazed by this little life growing in me.

I get giddy and giggle as my baby flops around,

Kicking feet, arms flailing, heart thumping.

This doesn't get old.

I love you, little one, from head to toe!

¹³ For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

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A Plant Fanatic and Budding Photographer

One thing I do not have is a green thumb.

I love the idea of having a pretty little flower bed or fresh veggies from my back yard but my ability to make that happen, so far, is non-existent.

In time I hope this will change.

I'd really like to learn and get better at this but it just hasn't happened yet!

On the other hand, my little Piper girl is a plant fanatic.

She LOVES to water them and reap the benefits of having cared for a plant.

I adore watching her work away at watering her tomato plant that her Mookie and Papa gave to us.

(Without her, I'm sure it would be dead by now.)

Its also enjoyable to watch her find a ripe tomato and gobble it up!

Today I handed over my camera so she could take some pics of her beloved tomato plant.

Here's what she took:

Not too shabby, huh?!

She's shaping up to be quite the photographer, too!

I think she is gonna LOVE the kid camera we got her for her birthday!

Hmmmm....

Perhaps I should also get her an indoor plant to take care of during the cold winter months!

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Making The Weather of Your Home

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Getting Back to Normal

Its amazing how good housework feels.

Especially planned housework.

I've missed my routine.

But first there was first trimester nausea,

then awful flu,

then bottomed out blood pressure that landed me in the hospital.

And the disorder in my home nearly kills me!

Not that its a terrible disaster.

But it hasn't been its normal self.

So for the last week, as I've been feeling better,

I've been fixing all that.

One day at a time.

I'm trying my best not to overdo it.

So its one major housekeeping task per day.

Plus LOTS of planning for the coming school year.

I'M SO EXCITED TO START SCHOOL AGAIN!!

Yeah, yeah, I'm a little strange.

(But you're the one reading this!)

Also, I sat down and planned all our meals for September.

Oh, how I've missed my meal plans.

Not that I'm complaining.

Despite my health issues, this summer has truly been a vacation-

Relaxing and rejuvenating.

I think that has a lot to do with my awesome little family

And their ability to be flexible and joyful and fun

Even when things aren't normal!

But it is so good to be getting back to to our version of normal!

So in the near future I'll be sharing our homeschool plan, this summer's giant blessing, and a photo shoot of the girls! I might even get around to telling you about how much I love cloth diapers, the adventures of moving 2 silly sisters into the same room and my contemplations on Sunday school and youth groups!

Aren't you excited?! ;)

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I Like Her.

Where did my baby go?

I wonder as I watch her

Long legs hanging down from the kitchen chair

Head bent over serious colouring concentration

Intent on staying within the lines

She used to sleep in my arms

With those big puffy baby cheeks sticking out

And I'd cover them with kisses

Before placing her in her crib

All soft, sweet baby goodness

Now it is different

Instead there is a routine of

"Mama, can we talk one minute?"

And bedtime is filled with questions and answers

And giggles and prayers filled with thoughts that make we smile

There are still lots of kisses

Though on cheeks not quite so chubby

And its her arms that wrap all the way around me

But its all a happy-sad

Because she's my girl

Who is learning and growing

And filling my world with joy

Just like she has everyday since I knew she existed

I like her

And all she is becoming

My baby turned girl.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 127:3

{Reflections after reading Do You Like Your Children? @ Raising Homemakers}

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An Excellent Reminder

Let me point you to a post that really hit home this morning:

Sunday Refocus @ Top of the Page

An excellent reminder to Christian Mamas everywhere,

Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24

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Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Here's a great activity for a sunshiny day - sidewalk chalk paint!

And the best part?

You can make it in minutes with 3 simple ingredients!

Cornstarch, water and food coloring...

And voila!

Hours of fun!

Although I did a 50/50 mixture of the water and cornstarch, I found the colors with more cornstarch than water were the ones that showed up best on the the sidewalk. Also, certain colours worked better - blue, red and green.

But overall, homemade sidewalk chalk paint was a BIG hit with these girlies!

Especially, this one. :)

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A New To-Do List

Last Saturday, it poured here. The girls and I were stuck at home without a car and little to do. I was up for house cleaning but the girls, as usual, grew tired of that quite quickly. When it started to rain heavily I decided we needed a new to-do list....

1. Dance in the rain.

2. Test the neighbors water spout and make sure it is functioning correctly.

3. Double check with your foot just to be sure.

4. Fill pots with water.

5. And water the neighbor's plants.

6. Go for a walk arm-in-arm with your best friend down the flooded street.

7. Find the biggest puddle on the block.

8. If you feel so inclined, sit in it.

9. Find something slimy and gross in the mud puddle.

10. Make your own sunshine.

11. Drink hot chocolate til its dripping from your chin and streaming into your belly button.

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Good In The Bad

For the past 5 days I have been sick.

Well, technically, I was only really sick on Sunday.

Every half an hour.

For 24 hours.

Blech.

So the past 4 days have been slow, agonizing recovery.

Surviving on eggs and toast and flat ginger ale.

Fetal position on the couch.

I can't even remember the last time I washed my hair.

Yep.

Pretty bad.

But tonight, I am hungry!

Which is immensely exciting.

Its annoying to be forced to eat food when there is no appeal.

But tonight I've had my first actual meal in days and am still devouring everything in sight.

I think I am finally on the mend!

And as crappy as illness is and as painstakingly slow as recoveries are, I'm reminded so obviously of all I have to be thankful for....

A body that has the resources to sustain me despite days without food and thats capable of recovery all while protecting and nourishing the little babe inside of me.

A hubby who is amazingly good at juggling a demanding work week, parenting 2 very energetic little girls and nursing me back to health.

A mom who folds my mountains of laundry, sweeps the dirt from under the couch and reminds me that I'm tough.

A dad who drives that mom to my place even though he is plagued with the same awfulness I am.

A mother-in-law who jumps right in to help and leaves a fridge full of groceries in her wake.

Sweet girlies who play together ever so well around (sometimes on) their sick ol' Ma and clean up when I ask them to.

Grace to see all the good in the bad.

posted under Motherhood, Ramblings | 2 Comments

I love motherhood.

We're a smiling family.

I'm a covenant keeper.

I love my husband.

I am above self pity.

I am a nation builder.

Motherhood=Adventure

Worth more than rubies.

“I am more convinced than ever that even in the midst of the mundane, burdensome, and oftentimes frustrating tasks of life allotted to me as a mother, God wants me to find his joy. He wants every single day of my life to be a celebration of his blessings, whether large or small. He wants me to celebrate life ~ the life He has given me.”

~ Sally Clarkson

A Mommy Montage

September's Meal Plan

From Head to Toe

A Plant Fanatic and Budding Photographer

Making The Weather of Your Home

Getting Back to Normal

I Like Her.

An Excellent Reminder

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint

A New To-Do List

Good In The Bad

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