School Away From Home

Rylen has never been anywhere but home and today was his first day in a preschool class.  The boy is WiLd and I needed someone else to help me harness some of the energy he exerts each and every day.  He is just going once a week but it was a wierd feeling dropping him off.  I have to admit that I missed him all day.  I kept looking for him and thought about how and what he was doing so many times.  I was a little nervous when I picked him up about the report that I would get but his teacher said he did great.  He was the line leader all day, she said he was a good example and obeyed all of the rules.  I know this will be good for him and will allow me to have some extra one-on-one time with Christian once a week.  I have to admit though that it gives me a new appreciation for being home with my kiddos.  I miss them when they are not around!

Cell Phone & iPod Rules

Both of the older boys have iPhones now and Brogan has her iPod.  It seems like the boys have become glued to their devices and that they are the only thing that is really important.  In light of this, I decided to come up with some rules and limits of use.  This is not a very popular decision to say the least.  Actually, the times were the biggest grievance.  Other than that hiccup, here is what was agreed to.

Cell Phone and iPod Rules

1. You may have your phone or iPod after 3:00 pm or after your schoolwork is done, whichever comes later.

2. Phones and iPods must be turned in no later than 9:00 pm each night.

3. No texting and driving.

4. No riding in cars with anyone that is texting and driving.

5. Momma and Daddy must always know your password if there is one on your phone or iPod.

6. Always ask before turning on wi-fi or getting on the internet.

7. Please, no texting or playing games while eating or hanging out with friends. You are there to hang out and have fun. Your attention should be on your friends and not your phone.

8. Your phone is merely a device to communicate when the need arises. It is not an extension of you and should not be thought of as such.

9. Never take inappropriate pictures of yourself or anyone else. Never let anyone take inappropriate pictures of yourself or anyone else.

10. No vulgar, rude or inappropriate language should be texted to anyone or posted on any internet sites. If it can be misconstrued it is probably not okay to post or send.

11. Never use your phone while working. Anything, with the exception of an emergency, can wait until your work responsibilities are over.

12. Conversations with persons of the opposite sex should be limited to as needed only.





Violation of any of the above rules will result in the following:

1st violation- Device taken away for 3 days

2nd violation- Device taken away for 10 days

3rd violation- Device removed from possession until further notice.



Do you have rules established for cell phone or iPod use?  Just curious if I am the only "mean mom" out there :)

Emergency Prep: January

I have been trying to start and emergency preparedness closet for over a year now but never really got it going.  I decided that this year I would do one thing per month to get our home and family ready for an emergency due to weather, natural disaster or any other emergency situation.

January's focus: A central stock pantry and our emergency backpacks

We have an extra closet in our house that I use for a pantry.  One of the things that I dislike the most is grocery shopping.  To avoid it as much as possible I stock up on all of our usual items at one time so I don't have to go back for awhile.  This has helped with our grocery bill over the last few years as well but now that I am menu planning differently that I have in the past, I thought I would clean out the pantries also.

Project 1: Clean out both pantry closets.  I took everything out and grocery shopped for the emergency pantry from what I had on hand.  To start our emergency pantry I have:

2 boxes granola bars
4 boxes spaghetti
46 oz can tomato juice
1 box peanut butter crackers, 2 boxes cheese crackers
2 bottles pancake syrup
2 small bags rice
2 cans cranberry sauce
3 large cans beef tamales
1-28 oz can diced tomatos
6 boxes juice pouches
1 jar cherries
1 jar dill relish
7 boxes popsicles (at least the kids will have some yummy juice in an emergency!)
2- 36 oz bags oat clusters cereal
1- 32 oz corn syrup
1-46 oz apple sauce
1-32 oz grape jelly
2-18 oz BBQ sauce
2 bottles mustard
1 catalina dressing
2 small diced tomatos
2 small tomato sauce
1 large refried beans
2 ranch dressings
1 southwest ranch dressing
1 can green beans
1 large can cream of mushroom soup
2 small cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans peaches
1 pineapple chunks
3 boxes mac and cheese
2 cartons chicken broth
1-64 oz kethcup
1-18 oz peanut butter
3 cans manadarin oranges
5 cans tuna fish
2 boxes salt
2 small cans cream of mushroom soup
1 large can coffee
2 boxes of indiv. coffee packs
200 small paper cups
6 boxes kleenex
3 packages paper towels
2 packages napkins
3 small liquid hand soap
2-18 oz sport drink powder mix
3-16 oz boxes of oatmeal
2 bags steel cut oates
20 indiv. packets oatmeal
6 pack corn muffin mix
extra spices and seasonings
3 boxes cake mix (gotta have something to look forward to!)
2 boxes cookie mix
1 brownie mix
2 boxes hot cocoa
1 disposable BBQ grill
1 box of MREs
4-64 oz bottles of juice
1 fruit roll ups
1 bag indiv. serving teddy grahams
1 bag indiv serving M&Ms
11 gallons of water
small plastic shoebox with travel packets of ketchup, mustard, mayo, jelly, etc.

So, I think that is a pretty good start and we just might be able to make a few meals out of what we have or at least survive for a few days.  Bonus: we already had it all so no money spent!

My plan is to continue to stock up each week when I go grocery shopping.  The best way is the after holiday sales.  (All of my paper goods, candy, cake mixes we purchased for .50 or less after Halloween and Christmas.  In an emergency, who cares what is on it, right!?)  Also, if you make your list ahead of time of the quantities you will need for your family you will know what is on the list and can catch some of the items on sale as they come up.  I have my list broken up by 52 weeks.  While I will try to stick to the weekly breakdown, if something comes up on sale I will just stock it then and mark it off of the list.  It doesn't seem so overwhelming if you purchase 3-4 extra items on each grocery stop.  I'll let you know at the end of the month what all I purchased by the week and how I met my goal for that month.


Project 2: Emergency backpacks

Several summers ago when the wildfires were rampant I made an emergency tote and set it beside the door in case we needed to leave quickly.  I want to take this and break it down by individual so that each person will have their own personal set of supplies.  I currently have 3 backpacks so we are in need of 4 more.  My goal this month is to stock all 7 backpacks and have them ready to go.  I will update at the end of the month on the progress of the backpacks as well as their contents.


Have you thought about being prepared for an emergency?  Do you have a stockpile?  I'm curious to know what your thoughts are and how you prepare!

Week 2 Dinner Menu: Week of Jan. 6-12

Sunday: Cranberry Pecan Pancakes
We ate light due to a huge lunch with family
Monday: Fend For Self
My kids love these nights!!!  They get to eat whatever they want as long as I don't have to cook it.  When I say whatever that is what I mean.  It is a free for all and it doesn't hurt to have a fun night every once in awhile.  Gives me a break and they absolutely love it.  Win, Win!!!
Tuesday: Mexicali Chicken
1 whole chicken or 4-6 chicken breasts
1 16 oz bag frozen corn
1 can black beans, drained
1 16 oz jar hot sauce or 2-3 cans diced tomatos

Place all ingredients in crockpot on low all day. 

To serve:
Debone or shred chicken before serving.
Serve with tortillas or over rice
Wednesday: Fettucini Alfredo

Thursday: Chipolte Chicken Taco Salad

Friday: Chicken Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts or 1 bag of cubed pre-cooked chicken bites
1/2 large onion, diced
3 tablespoons butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded cheese
1 cup milk
1 bag or box of cooked pasta shells, spirals, or pasta of your choice (not noodles)
1/4 cup cracker crumbs

Directions:
Saute onions until tender
Add in soup and 1 1/2 cups cheese; gradually stir in milk
Cook over medium heat until cheese melts; stir in chicken and cooked pasta
Taste and add salt and pepper to taste
Transfer mixture to a greased 2 1/2 quart casserole dish; sprinkle with cracker crumbs
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until heated through
Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake 5 minutes

To serve:
Serve with steamed carrots


Saturday: Hamburgers & Homemade Chips


Dessert for the week: Peppermint Brownies
Premade mix purchased after Christmas on clearnace :)

Thankful Thursday: Week 1

Starting "Thankful Thursday" back up so here goes week #1...

Today I am thankful for:
My kids- even when they argue and don't do their chores because that means they are here and healthy
My husband- he is home and working hard to get a ton of things done before work starts back up
All of the projects that need to be done in our home- because that means we have a home, a roof over our head and the means to provide for it all
My friends- because they love me and my kids and seem to show up at just the right time, every time- you know who you are!
A new year!

Week 1 Dinner Menu: Week of Dec. 30 - Jan. 5

In an attempt to keep the blog up to date and vary up our dinner menu I thought I would post weekly what our dinner menu is.  For the last 8 years I have been making a monthly menu for our dinner plans.  This has worked great for meal planning, grocery shopping and limiting our food budget but it has also gotten us into a rut.  Pinterest has a ton of recipes so I thought I would start to use some of the ones that I have pinned and see what the kids think.  I'm hoping this gets us out of the groans when it comes to the questions and answer of "What's for dinner". 

For those of you that really know me, you know how much I LOVE my crockpot.  My kids however, DESPISE MY CROCKPOT.  This is going to be a challenge for me as most of these recipes do not involve the use of a crockpot.  I am going to try though and the kids have expressed an interest in helping with dinner as well.  As the year goes on I am going to give them each a day during the month where they can plan dinner.  I can only imagine what we may end up eating when it comes to the younger ones but I know it will give them a sense of ownership and a better sense of what all it takes to make dinner for 7. 

So, here goes.  Remember, all of the recipes that I list feed our family of 7.  Most of the time there are left overs so the below is cooking for 8-10 or maybe 4-6 adults.


Sunday: Codey's Favorite Chicken Casserole (From Pinterest-It didn't have a name so we named it!!)

Ingredients:
1 block cream cheese
4 chicken breasts or 1 bag pre-cooked grilled chicken chunks
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 package dry Italian or Ranch mix
2 bags or boxes spiral (or any other shape) pasta

Directions:
Add all ingredients (except pasta) in crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours or low 6-8 hours
Cook pasta when ready to serve

To serve:
Mix pasta into crockpot and toss until pasta is coated. 
Serve with green beans and french bread

*Note:  Everyone LOVED this recipe!  It was the first time I made this and it got rave reviews.  They have already asked me to make it again when certain freinds come over and they even asked for it for leftovers the next day!!!


Monday: Bacon Cheeseburger Soup & BLT Sandwiches (From Pinterest)

Ingredients:
1 block cream cheese
2 pounds cooked ground beef
6 slices cooked bacon
1 package frozen hashbrowns (shredded or cubed)
1 package velveeta cheese
1 carton chicken broth
small onion diced

Directions:
In a crockpot add all of the ingredients above and cook on high for 4 hours, stirring occasionaly.  I would recommend only cooking it for the 4 hours.  I cooked it on low for 7 hours and the cheese started to get brown like it was burning.

To serve:
Serve in coffee mugs on a plate along side a sandwich.  I chose BLTs but a grilled cheese or ham sandwich would be just as yummy!


Tuesday: Steaks with mashed potatos, salad and french bread

Ingredients:
steaks
red potatos
ingredients to make a green salad

So, this is Jeremy's area of expertise as he makes the BEST steaks!!  No instructions here.  Just a yummy dinner planned to start 2013 off with a bang.


Wednesday: Enchilada Stack

Ingredients:
20 Flour tortillas
4 pounds cooked hamburger meat
2 bags shredded cheese (I used mexican but any is fine)
1 onion chopped
2 cans black beans, drained
1 large can refriend beans
1 16 oz bag frozen corn
2 large cans enhilada sauce
1 package yellow rice
sour cream and/or guacamole

Directions:
In a greased 9x13 casserole dish place tortillas to cover the bottom of the dish
Layer with refried beans, hamburger meat, black beans, corn and sprinkle with cheese, cover in enchilada sauce
Repeat layers beginning with tortillas until top of the dish or run out of ingredients
On top, cover with remaining enchilada sause and sprinkle with cheese
Bake in a 350 degree oven until cheese is melted and it is warmed through

Cook yellow rice according to package instructions

To serve:
Top with sour cream and/or guacamole
Serve with yellow rice on side

This one didn't get that great of reviews.  Maybe corn tortillas would be better to use.  I don't think they would get as soggy as the flour tortillas.  Also, I think the next time I may make it without the tortillas in it and just serve them on the side instead.


Thursday: Cowboy Casserole (From Pinterest)

Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 cups shredded cheese
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 bag frozen tater tots or rounds

Directions:
About 30 minutes-1 hour before cooking take tater tots out and set on counter to thaw

Saute the onion until translucent, add chopped garlic and cook for 1 more minute
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, drain the mixture and set aside in large bowl
In a small bowl combine the soup, milk and sour cream, whisk until smooth. 
Add to the hamburger mixture and stir to combine. 
Add corn and 1 cup of shredded cheese.  Gently mix to combine.

Grease a 9x13 baking dish.  Layer 1/2 of the tater tots on the bottom, pour the hamburger mixture over the top and then layer with the other 1/2 of the tater tots.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until tater tots are golden brown and crunchy.

To serve:
Serve with Texas Toast

Kids thought this was a vamped up version of our tater tot casserole that we make.  They liked it though and even ate it for lunch the following days.


Friday: Beans and Rice with cornbread
(NOTE: This is an updated menu due to left overs.  The original recipe for today has been moved to next week.)

Ingredients:
1 pound dry beans
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 large onion, diced
2 cans tomatos (diced, whole, stewed, whatever you have on hand or prefer)
seasonings to taste
*optional: bacon, ham bone, steak pieces
rice

Directions:
Soak dry beans over night

In morning:
Drain and rinse dry beans
In crockpot, add the beans, celery, onion, tomatos, seasonings and meat (*Note: we are using left over steak pieces from earlier in the week) in crockpot
Add water to top of crockpot
Cook on high all day

Before serving:
Bake cornbread
Cook rice according to package directions

To serve:
Serve over rice with cornbread


Saturday: Left Overs
Serving up all of those yummy left overs from this week so we can clean out the fridge and get ready for next week!

2013 Word of the Year: Guidance

2013 brings a new year and a new way to make a difference.  Make a difference in the world, in the lives of our children, family and friends, in our church and ourselves.

I thought of many words for 2013.  I saw many words that others had chosen.  None of them seemed liked it fit for me and for our family.  As I was reading in the Bible today the word "guidance" came to mind.  As I looked back over what I had written in my journal I saw that a constant theme was for the Lord to guide us in what He would have us do over the next year.  It was then that I realized the word for 2013 would be "Guidance". 

guidance: noun
the act of guidance, direction, leadership
something that guides
advice or assistance


In 2013 may we lean on the Lord for His guidance in our lives and in the lives of those around us and that we care about.  May we seek him in all that we do before we do it and wholeheartedly.  May His guidance lead us to those unknown places both near and far.  May we be the guidance that others seek with Him as our guide.