Menu Plan Monday--November 1, 2010

NOVEMBER!! October flew by, didn't it? It ended nicely, which meant a good family weekend for us & fun trick-or-treating. I hope you had a fun Halloween, as well!
Today is All Saints Day. Do you have a favorite Saint? I can't limit it to just one, but I am favorable to St. Joseph, St. Jude, St. Dymphna, and Blessed Mother Teresa. :)

On to cooking for my saints-in-the-making!

Monday: Soup & Grilled Cheese (Brennan's pick)

Tuesday: Honey-Mustard Pork
Wednesday: Angel Hair Pasta Chicken
Thursday: Vegetable Quesadillas
Friday: TBD

Beaming with Pride!

Aidan brought home his 1st Quarter report card today.
I am so very proud of him.

2 awards (ribbons) for this quarter: perfect attendance for quarter 1, and HONORS!
His teacher commented that he participates very well and always tries his best.
What else could I ask for?

I have to say, too, that his teacher is a tough cookie. I really like her. She pushes the kids to their fullest potential, even if it means to do 2nd grade work in the 1st quarter of 1st grade. She's been teaching for 36 years, lacks no energy, and Aidan has already learned so much. Homework every night, tests each Friday.
He definitely works for his grades.

He's balancing it well, adding in Scouts and Soccer.
I'm proud of him.

I didn't expect, having played the role of "teacher" first, to get this emotional over his grades (on the parent end).
His education is truly an investment, and we're so blessed with a great Catholic school.

We're going to celebrate! First up for Aidan, earning some time to play on the Wii. ;)

School Pictures!

(not the best quality, as I took a picture of his picture)

AH!!!! I am loving it.

I completely forgot he did his own hair that morning.

He wanted to gel it, which really meant splashing it with water and a crazy amount of hairspray. 

We offered him a hair cut prior to pictures, and he opted to wait.

Oh my goodness, I love it.

HOWEVER...my "baby" looks so much older than in last year's school picture! 

I'm biased. I know that. But I love his school picture this year. It really captures "Aidan" as he presents himself. 

He's growing up so fast.

Heavy Heart

I've had a heavy heart lately.
I really do try not to let things weigh me down, because in reality, things could be much worse. But knowing that alone doesn't make it easier to feel the heaviness that creeps up at times.

Financial things, schedules, family matters, the holidays approaching....and why is it the big financial burdens always seem to happen near the holidays?

We have 4 days until Halloween, one month until Thanksgiving, and just over a month until Pat is finished with grad school. There seems to be much good coming, and then the new baby arriving in February.

I don't want to wish away the time until those points.
I do want to enjoy the here & the now, despite disappointments, hurt feelings, hardships. I want to teach my boys, especially by example, to find the good.

Why can that be so hard?

I may be 30 years old, but I am still learning....
Still learning that my husband and kids ARE my family now. THE family.
We still have the extended family, but they're not the ones who miss us daily. And we need to stop expecting them to. It's not worth the hurt.

I know my boys are great and what's in them that makes them special.
I know the hard work my husband puts into providing for us.
I hope Pat, Aidan and Brennan can see I try to work hard for them, too.

That's what matters.

Pumpkin Patch Time!

For the 3rd year in a row, we had a wonderful time at this pumpkin patch over the weekend! Our 1st time there was with Aidan's 4yo preschool class, and last year we enjoyed the trip with Pat's side of the family. 

This year it was just the 4 of us (5 including the baby in my belly;), but we had a great time! The boys absolutely LOVE this place, and Trabbic Farms has earned it's place as a tradition in our family.

the boys

silly guys

Brennan, 3 1/2 years old

Aidan, 6 1/2 years old

and the only family picture we got:

What a good way to kick off the final week of October!

Menu Plan Monday--October 25, 2010

Can you believe it's already the final week of October?! I can't. It really just flew by.
This week is going to be busy, with trick-or-treating Monday night in one downtown area, then finishing up costumes and pumpkin carving, getting ready for HALLOWEEN!
Aidan has a Halloween party Friday night, a birthday party on Saturday, and then Sunday is, of course, Halloween! Hopefully good times & good memories to be had. :)

(Sunday 10/24--finishing Mexican Pasta Skillet, didn't get to last week)

Monday: Crock Pot Cola Chicken Sandwiches, raw baby carrots 

Tuesday: Pasta Night (meatless)
Wednesday: Eckrich Smoked Turkey Sausage, Pierogies, peas
Thursday: Veggie Stir-Fry
Friday: Fend for yourself night! I'm taking Aidan to a party & he'll be eating there.
Saturday & Sunday: We'll be enjoying festive dinners like Mummy Dogs and Pita Pizzas.

TGIF...so glad it's finally here

Phew, it's been a busy, stressful week.
I'm making this a TGIF-here's some good that happened post. I need to, because the way I've felt the last 2 days, it was all seeming bad. I know that can't be the case.

Getting the bad out & over with:
We bought this house nearly 2 years ago now. Prior to living here, we rented a townhouse about a mile away.
The former landlord is being a total jackass, and over a year later, randomly showed up AT MY DOOR, without call, notice or anything, and simply said in an arrogant tone, "you still owe me $400!".
No, sir, we contested those charges and you never took further action.
He retained our full security deposit, plus is demanding an additional $400. Now I know we didn't leave the place in perfect condition, but we don't trash places, either. He is an ass, and to wait this long, why?! I assume he's short on money or something. (he's waited over a year to pursue his absurd charges)
So Pat has met with a lawyer and even the lawyer said the landlord shouldn't have even kept the full security deposit, etc. No way are we paying.
However, after I told Mr. Jackass to leave my property that day he showed up, he must have gotten ticked. Wednesday we get a letter in the mail from his lawyer stating the money needs to be received in 10 days, or they will take us to court. Sure, over $400.
Oh my goodness, I so don't need this right now. And unfortunately, after $1200 in unexpected plumbing expenses, our money tree is just bare right now. Perfect timing, right?
UGH! I especially don't need this stress while pregnant. It's torn me up the last 2 days.

So, the bad, I'm setting it aside for now (send up a prayer for us!) and hoping it resolves to our favor.

There HAS to be some good, right?
-I  helped prep for our parish rummage sale 2 nights this week. It was nice to get out among adults, as well as...the real perk...I got to do some early bird shopping. I found mostly clothes for Brennan (a few brand new from Gymboree), but also 2 baseballs (1 Mudhens!), and some books in excellent condition for Aidan (A to Z Mysteries). Also a Kneeling Santa figure and 2 wooden Nutcrackers. I probably purchased a value of nearly $90, and what did I pay? $12! Score!

-Aidan's final soccer practice. I love watching him play, but we're all ready for the season to end. And it was a COLD practice! His last game is tomorrow. Can't wait!

-MOPS: Brennan & I went for the 2nd time. Brennan had a blast. I'm so glad. I enjoyed it, too. We made a pumpkin craft and it was fun. Plus I had more adult conversation!

(it's gotten a little beaten up since Wed, but cute nonetheless)

-Yesterday the boys & I did a handprint-bat craft. They love arts & crafts, and Brennan was so excited we waited to do this one with Aidan. It's adorable how much they adore each other.

The bats on our front door, under Brennan's handprint wreath

-Aidan's first big Science project was due-so glad it's over with! They had to choose an animal & write a report on it, then do a poster board of their animal. Aidan's was about 7 pages long (hand-written), and he chose the giraffe. Did you know giraffes have FOUR stomachs? And can grow to 18 feet tall? Amazing. You're welcome. ;)

I've been emotional and bummed, but there has clearly been some good.
I feel like I'm holding my breath until we're fully done with Mr. Jackass, but hopefully it will resolve outside of court. And before I enter my 3rd trimester.

TGIF!

Halloween Menu...Ghostly Goodies :)

Do you have a Halloween tradition when it comes to food (other than stealing your kids' candy;)?

We have fallen into the tradition of making pita pizzas for dinner each Halloween.
I know a lot of people do Chili.

There are a lot of cute ideas out there, and I think we'll take be having some extra fun meals in there as part of celebrating fall.

Some examples:
Mummy Dogs

(we make ours without cheese, and often using turkey dogs)

Boo Brownies (we made these a few years ago for Sunday school)

Apple Bites (1st year doing these)

All fun stuff! I'd love to add some festivity-with-food while my boys are still young enough to not think it's corny. 

I have some good ones for Thanksgiving...but that's for next month. :)

Any fun Halloween food things you do?

Get Out & Take In FALL!

It's just such a gorgeous season, how can you resist?

And for us folk in the Midwest, it's not too long before we'll be in below-freezing temps and blanketed in snow. We need to enjoy it while we can! (some trees are already bare...boo).
But for now, GORGEOUS!

Brennan & I played at a local Metropark Friday afternoon. It was a nice little date!

A red leaf is a very cool find

I loved this tree...so picturesque-fall:

I hope you're enjoying Fall!

Wanna See The Nameless One?

I had my "big" ultrasound on Friday morning, and we certainly had no shy child:

See? Ha! That's my boy. :)

By the way, the technician wrote "manhood" of her own volition. I didn't request it. 

Of course it gets better. We actually got to see his face!

Pretty good profile shot, if you ask me. I think he looks like Aidan.
I do wonder if he'll be born with a Mohawk like Brennan was. (or here)

Nameless...
I thought I absolutely knew the name I wanted another boy to be...before I got pregnant. Now that it's time and definitely a boy, I'm not sure I want to use that name.
Of course, we completely had a girl's name ready to go, one we ALL agreed on & liked. Figures.
There are about 3 names right now Aidan, Pat & I agree on.
Aidan and Brennan REALLY have an opinion, and want a specific name. So much that they already refer to baby boy #3 by that name. We'll see.
It's adorable how much they care about his name, and that alone may convince me to just go with it. It IS their brother, after all. ;)

Nameless look healthy and I'm measuring a few days before my due date. I'll take it!
3 more weeks and I am officially in my third trimester. Woo-hoo!

Menu Plan Monday--October 18, 2010

Monday: Easy Fried Rice
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Wednesday: Sandwich Night (Grilled Cheese or Fried Egg)
Thursday: "Healthified" Mexican Pasta Skillet
Friday: Wild Rice & White Bean Medley

The Big Boy's 1st Campout

I wasn't there, but I can share the pictures sent my way, and attest to the exhausted boy that returned home to me Sunday afternoon. :)

Aidan had not only his first Scouts campout, but his first campout, period!
He & Patrick headed out late Saturday afternoon, meeting up with the other campers about a half hour away.

Aidan returned home a more manly-boy.
He climbed sand dunes.

Shot a BB gun (didn't shoot his eye out;)

Lit sticks on fire
Ran around in the dark with his friends and flashlights
Stayed up til almost midnight (still woke before 7 the next day)
Ate donuts for breakfast

Filled his shoes with sand
Slept in a sleeping bag in a tent. Just him & his dad.

I know he had a blast. I am thrilled for him he had this good experience. :)
(and for a husband who is such a good father!)

Menu Plan Monday--October 11, 2010

Monday: Breakfast Casserole (for dinner!), fruit on the side
Tuesday: Spaghetti Marinara
Wednesday: Southwestern Pie (2nd week in a row, by request)
Thursday: Pork Chops and Apples
Friday: Baked Peanut Butter Oatmeal, applesauce on side (new recipe for us)

Why I Watch The Biggest Loser (warning: long post)

Because no matter what the number on the scale shows, I will always feel the "me" from the above picture, with all the extra weight. 

You don't forget how it feels to be uncomfortable in your own skin.

You don't forget the way it feels to have your pants restricting your breathing when you bend over.

You don't forget the way it feels to be hopeful when grabbing a size 12 in the dressing room, only to find it's not worth the squeezing required to wear the clothing. 

You don't forget feeling like the fat one, feeling not-pretty, and self-conscious at all times.

No matter what the number on the scale shows, at least for me, the fat-Sharon that once was, always resides in a place within me.

When I watch The Biggest Loser, I can really relate to the contestants.

Grant it, I was never so morbidly obese. 

But it doesn't take morbidly obese. 

On the show, you see Jillian & Bob "counseling" the contestants to learn what triggered their weight issues. Most of the time, it's not solely a physical problem (can't always blame the thyroid!).

For me, most of my weight packed on following my miscarriage in March 2006.

I was 16 weeks along, it was completely unexpected, and I was an emotional mess. 

(the picture above is me one month after the miscarriage, at my friend's wedding)

I turned to raw cookie dough, fast food, and ice cream. 

I was depressed.

Money was tight, too, which didn't help any.

I felt I lost control of my life. 

I was sinking financially. 

I was dealing with a 2 year old living up to the "terrible twos".

I was living in MI blocks away from my in-laws, yet 12 HOURS away from my own family.

I am a planner. I like control. I like to know what will happen, when.

I'm not huge on surprises. 

So when life goes according to another plan, it's quite the curveball. 

Before I ever watched The Biggest Loser, I had tried the 30 Day Shred (Jillian Michaels).

That, combined with Weight Watchers, helped me achieve my goal weight.

Actually, my goal weight, and I went on to lose an additional 14 pounds.

I also fell in love with The Biggest Loser's Last Chance Workout. I miss it & can't wait to start it again after this baby is born.

My weight was down to 124 this past May. I had not seen 124 since before my wedding. (I was 126 when I got married). I was more toned than I think I was even while dancing in high school.

 I have a picture of my stomach, but I'm not sure I want to share it. (some of you have seen it). But even to my surprise, in the picture, you see stomach muscles. Definition. Awesome.

Shopping for clothes was fun again.

Wearing shorts was comfortable.

I didn't sweat just putting on a swimsuit in public.

I walked in the neighborhood without people thinking "there goes the fat girl".

You don't forget how all of that feels, either.

Now I'm nearly 20 weeks pregnant.

While this baby was deliberately planned for, etc., it goes without saying I've put on weight.

And before you say it, it is NOT all baby weight.

I've started eating like the old-Sharon, and I don't know why.

Well, I actually do think I know why.

Morning sickness came the end of June, lasted until recently, and my energy vanished. I started sleeping more. And I could only eat carbs.

My diet drastically changed.

I lost control.

I lost control of what I could eat, because my normal lunches before, made me sick.

I lost control of my own body, for the sake of growing another human. It's worth, it YES.

But deep down, I don't think I'll feel control again until I am no longer pregnant.

This was me this past June:

Do you see a difference from the 1st picture? 

I'm still no beauty queen or anything, but I do think the weight difference is noticeable.

I aim to get back there. 

I go through spurts of trying to resume my healthy eating habits and exercise, but my stomach and energy don't always cooperate. 

I watch The Biggest Loser, and nearly every episode I cry with the contestants. 

I was never that big, but mentally I've felt that big, and even though I'm pregnant, I feel that big again.

I hang on to their transformations, and try to keep my own in mind.

That's why I watch The Biggest Loser.

Lastly, for anyone who thinks it was easy for me to tone up or lose weight, or who says I don't have the place to speak as I do, look at that 1st picture again.

It was never easy for me.

I had to build up my stamina to walk & use weights.

I had to plan for healthy meals & force myself into liking veggies, etc.

Heck, I had to train myself to drink WATER.

Easy does not describe it for me. 

Not before, and I'm sure not when i start back again.

Worth it, though?

Definitely.

Fall Decorating, 2010

This is becoming a fun tradition for us. :)

We don't have our mums yet, but we do have Brennan's personalized craft-pumpkin to add this year. :)

Not visible is the wreath on our door, and sign on our mailbox.

I love fall! We have some fun fall activities coming up, and I just know October is going to fly by. It already is!

I'm Facing Reality

And reality STINKS.

Money can't buy happiness, but it can sure make us UNhappy, can't it?

Things could be worse, I know. But it feels like any time we start to get ahead, more than one thing happens to knock us back down.
As if we're meant to be at ground zero forever.

Stinking plumbing expenses.
Stinking bathroom expenses.
Stinking variable interest rates.
Stinking price of cars.
Stinking groceries going up, all the time.

What's most frustrating is that in our efforts, we've tried to do things in the "right order".
What the heck does that even mean?! I'm learning it doesn't mean much.

We have good health, thank God.
We have a roof over our heads that does not leak.
These things are true, but I still feel bummed about the things that are breaking, or exceeding our budget, etc.

What happens is much a result of choices we've made. I don't deny that.
The thing is, I really feel we've been making far better choices than we used to.
Because of that, it feels like life should be a little bit easier, or more rewarding. I'm stalling for the right word over here.

Grrrr.
I need to go to some gardening shop and buy myself a money tree. Plant it. Treat it well, and maybe by the spring it will bloom me some dollar bills.
Can it work that way?

Menu Plan Monday--October 4, 2010

OCTOBER!!!!

I love October and I am so happy it's here. :) Our 1st October weekend consisted of  Aidan's soccer game in the rain (but it was fun;), some shopping, Fall decorating, 40 Days for Life, Mass, delicious pot roast, and popcorn selling. It was a good weekend to enjoy being around the house with family. Hopefully it will be a good week, too!

Monday: Saucy Pork Medallions

Tuesday: Southwestern Pie

Wednesday: Soup & Sandwiches

Thursday: Lasagna Casserole

Friday: Pancakes

Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, and if you're looking for even more recipes, you can check out the monthly menu I put together over at Really Good Stuff. And, of course, the host of MPM offers tons & tons of menus.

October! Kicking off the month with...

~Selling Cubscout popcorn with Aidan who started the Scouts this year.

~A ridiculous bill for some plumbing work we had to have done. Have I mentioned I hate money?! I do. And I hate not having a fully funded emergency fund, too.

~Rainy soccer games

~Getting together a master list so I can soon start my Christmas shopping!

~Doing our Fall Decorations :)

~Washing the extra blankets to avoid turning on the heat (our low was 42 last night!). I have a mental contest with myself each year, seeing how late we can wait to turn on the heat. I don't want to turn it on at ALL in October. I think we can do that.

~Trying to find the best place to buy toilet paper

~Participating in 40 Days for Life, 9a.m. this morning. Despite the cold & rain, I'm looking forward to it.

~Doing fun "schoolwork" with Brennan at home.

October is my favorite month. I love that it's cooler but not frigid.
I love the trees changing colors, the smell of fires going.
I love going to the pumpkin patch, preparing for Halloween, making the good Fall foods...
It's a great month in a great season.
Happy October! Enjoy!