Menu plan, budget, and resolution update

Here is the next two weeks Menu:

Monday: Southwest Chopped Salad (thanks to my friend Jen for the dressing recipe)

Tuesday: Baked Chicken and Rice (mom's recipe) with green beans

Wednesday: crockpot breakfast casserole

Thursday: Tacos

Friday: Homemade stromboli

Saturday: Stuffed Peppers

Sunday: Spaghetti with Salad and garlic bread

Monday: BLT sandwiches with veggies/dip and chips

Tuesday: Chicken Tetrazini

Wednesday: Max and Erma's Chicken Tortilla Soup (my sis-in-laws recipe-its delicious!)

Thursday: Leftover/grilled cheese and soup

Friday-out (Mia/mommy date)

My menu is two weeks because I am only trying to go to the grocery store once per pay period in order to stay within my budget of $100 every 2 weeks. For the first two weeks I came in at around $85 and we mostly stuck to the menu aside from when we fell sick and didn't eat much of anything. I am also planning to sell our freezer before we move so that means using up what is in there, which is also helping me stay on budget :) A few weeks ago I made a list of everything we have in both freezers and each time I use something I mark it off, that way I know what I have and what I need to buy. I also found out the movers won't move canned goods so I am trying to use up my stock pile there too so I don't have to waste as much. This week, after encouragement from two of my sister in laws I gave Aldi's a try. My previous experience was awful and have held it against the store ever since, but boy was I missing out! Aside from the ground turkey, baking powder/soda, 409, and yogurt I still need to buy I was able to buy everything else on my list at Aldi's for a whopping $33.40!!! WHOOHOOO! I was so excited I called my husband who thankfully was able to answer since he had some down time today to listen to my amazing story! So I will keep you posted on how we are doing with this and sticking to this budget. Just a side note, my kids go to daycare where lunch and snack are provided so those are meals I don't have to plan for and I try and eat leftovers or salad for my lunch which also cuts down on costs. As I start to use my freezer stock it will be interesting how I can manage to stay within my budget. If any one has inexpensive, fairly easily to assemble recipes I am always willing to try something new.

For my resolution update; for the most part I have been able to stick with my progress towards my goals aside from this past week where I pretty much took a hiatus from everything. But fear not, I have a plan to get back on track. My goal is to lose 18 lbs for March 25 when Patrick graduates. My reward for this goal is two-fold 1)get a hair cut (I have been dying to cut my hair short but refuse until I reach this goal) and 2)host a party of some sort (thirty-one, tastefully simple, jewlery party etc) to celebrate with my friends! I have also started reading a chapter a week (on Wednesdays) from Power of a praying parent and making that my focus pray of each week.

So in order to stay on track with my goals, here is my plan for this week:
Monday: Jililan Micheals 30 day shred 20 min workout video, 50 squats, Bible study
Tuesday: 30 day shred, 125 squats, run 2-2.5 miles on treadmill after work before picking up the kiddos
Wednesday: breakfast fast read ch.2 of Power praying parent and mediate/pray, 30 day shred, 50 squats, 30 min elipitical, AWANA
Thursday: 30 day shred, 2.5 miles on treadmill
Friday: 30 day shred, 145 squats, 30 min on elliptical if time after work before picking up the kids
I also plan to avoid snacking between meals as this is where I pick up alot of my extra calories!
Saturday: 3 mile run outside weather permiting, 80 squats
Sunday: yoga/stretch, 40 squats, church, small group

Hoping I can stick with this and using my husband suffering as motivation! I hope you all have a blessed and healthy week!

Week 1 in review

So my darling husband has been gone one week today. Whew, that was a LONG week, I am sure it was probably triple the length for him. Holding down the home front here in Ohio has proved to be a challenge this week. We started off Monday with Declan having a fever, going to the doctor, and coming with ATBs for an ear infection and three teeth popped through. Tuesday I awoke with a knot in my chest fully expecting a cold to follow and a clogged toilet for which I quickly learned how to use a plunger! By Wednesday, Declan and I were both coughing, snotty noses etc and neither one of us was sleeping very well and Declan was still having a fever off and on. He also decided eating was for the birds. Thursday, my health quickly deteriorated and by the end of the work day I felt like death and was running a fever by bedtime. By Friday we all had fevers, doctors appts and were found to have the flu, despite our vaccination efforts. My first week as a single mom can be seen as both a failure and a success. No housekeeping, cooking, or exercising was completed but we survived, all slept in the same room and watched lots of movies and are now coming through on the other side as we close out this weekend.
This week has taught me a few things: 1)I am stronger then I realize especially when I have the flu while taking care of two kids who have the flu 2)I really struggle with accepting help from others (why is this so hard?) 3) I have the greatest friends in the world who send their husband over with soup and all sorts of goodies that make moms and kiddos happy (ie tissues, cookies, crackers, and gatorade)
Here is to week number 2! May it be less memorable then the first :)

Happy New Year!!

Well 2013 was great, 2014 holds the potential to be even greater but is laden with lots of new changes, new places and lot of goodbyes! And as though changes are right around the corner, my hubby leaves a week from Sunday, I plan to use this blog as a way to keep my sanity and update family/friends as we embark on this new journey. With that being said, I have set some goals for this upcoming year and since I seem to hold myself more accountable when I write them down/post for the world to see, here it goes:

Sprirtual

1) fast and pray specifically for my children and their well being every Wednesday morning (I know personally the benefits of having a loved one pray continually for you throughout your life and the impact/implications it has had for me and I desire the same for my children-particularly for their spiritual well-being)

2) spend time daily praying and reading God's word (I am able to handle life's stresses when this is a major focus in my life)

Physical

1) train for and RUN a half marathon (I already signed up for one on May 3 so I am committed!)

2) return to pre-pregnancy weight

3)complete 30 day squat challenge (already 5 days completed!)

Financial

1) make a budget and stick to it (budget had been established)

2) pay off all credit cards before moving to Texas
3) live within our means in order to become a stay at home mom

MISC
1) be more organized
2) spend more deliberate focused time with my kids

And one of my main priorities this year: My family