meal plans May 26 - June 1

Another round of meal plans for the week... hope they're a bit helpful as you think through your family's needs this week!

Friday -
Moriah and I met Matt at Qdoba, and though it was a new location made to look EXACTLY like a Chipotle, we still consider Chipotle the real thing :)  we were thankful for a great coupon though and enjoyed supper out

Saturday -
lunch: BLT's, macaroni and cheese, grapes

dinner: veggie sandwiches (leftovers from last week, freezer stash!), watermelon, and curry corn couscous
*we decided to grill with our neighbors for an impromptu fun evening and enjoyed their fellowship!  they added mango and yummy shrimp to our feast, and shared with us more about their preparations for a second attempt at invetro fertilization this week, pray for them!

Sunday -
leftovers!  our fridge was full

Monday -
lunch: apple, cucumber, cashew chicken salad on croissants, fruit, and cookies
*we'll be saying goodbye to friends we've only recently known but have been so thankful for, they're headed to Utah to serve in a lost culture as North American Mission Board missionaries, pray for them!

from Taste of Home website

dinner: pasta with chicken meatballs, tomato, and mozzarella cheese

from Food Network website

Tuesday -
cilantro lime chicken as seen on Pinterest (may be turned into fajitas?!), black beans, and rice

Wednesday -
French dip sandwiches (leftovers from last week, freezer stash!), green beans, and roasted red potatoes

Thursday -
leftovers!

Friday -
undecided :)

I'll be continuing my gratitude list and hope to also blog about our fun Memorial Day weekend as a family soon.  I'd also love to share what Moriah enjoys for breakfast every morning as it's been such a helpful staple for us every day over the past year since she's really been eating solids (my take on yogurt with fruit, and quick oatmeal).  Look forward to those posts soon!

the one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me... Psalm 50

527. a large round of Amish cheese, given by a generous church member
528. an impromptu dinner with friends
529. a husband who serves me
530. relaxing in the sun with friends for the afternoon and evening
531. friends who've kept in touch even when paths changed
532. a scholarship awarded to Matt, helping to pay for about half of his remaining Seminary tuition during the coming school year
533. honest employers who unexpectedly reimbursed us for more taxes we paid
534. anticipating summer
535. health
536. a potty trained girl (she was in the process below)
537. church members who don't mind us sneaking by to go potty - again
538. Moriah's echo of Matt's preaching as she said "Praise Him!" soon after Matt exhorted us to do the same (we're not in a charismatic church at all though this comment might suggest so!)
539. a garage sale to come
540. a thoughtful Mother's Day celebration
541. finding a dress that fits and flatters while being modest
542.  new independence from our sweet girl as we often hear "Moriah do it!"
543. listening to Moriah say "Jesus loves Moriah so much"
544. an end of pre-school Spring Sing to enjoy as our little friend Mr. S. sung and sat sometimes
545. an extended Memorial Day weekend off
546. used bookstores
547. welcoming others into our home
548. brownies baking
549. Crock Pots
550. poppies blooming along a country road
551. a rock wall well maintained
552. hearing an aged saint share simply that "Jesus changes us, He just does"
553. an Amish family with a little baby on their way to church in a horse pulled by buggy
554. a special breakfast with mommy at the Farmer's Market - a waffle topped with farm fresh strawberries, syrup, and whipped cream, alongside scrambled eggs and cheese, with a mint/lemon tea to drink - a treat indeed
555. container gardening with our sweet girl

Meal Plans May 20-25

Meal planning is a necessity in household organization for our family.  It may just be the way I think, but grocery shopping or meal preparation without a written plan in advance would be a nightmare!  So I almost always think through dinners for our family weekly.  I've tried to think seasonally and prepare four weeks worth of favorite dinner ideas to rotate through as a general guide though I often veer from that outline as Pinterest or a friend's suggestion may lead :)  I also enjoy reading other meal plans from friends, and often talk with my mom about her recent dinner ideas as inspiration for my family.  I hope that sharing our meal plans with you might give you a spring board into trying a new meal or remembering one of your old favorites that may have been forgotten.  It'll also help me refer back to some of our ideas so that I can reuse them in the future!

where our meals are enjoyed

This week we're having:

Sunday -
Crock Pot French Dip sandwiches, edamame and parmesan cheese, sweet potato fries, and brownies*
(*we're having a single man from our small group over which was cause for the meat splurge and the dessert)

Monday -
Northern Bean and Brown Rice salad from Ashley at The Vanilla Tulip
(we have small group tonight so we're bring a side dish to contribute)

Tuesday -
pesto chicken pizza, and fruit
(I've only used mozzarella on our pizzas as I found fontina to be expensive)

Wednesday -
bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches on English muffins, and fruit

Thursday -
BBQ meatballs, roasted carrots, and garlic/butter pasta
(I make the meatloaf recipe but roll it into meat balls instead of a loaf, I have a funny aversion to the meatloaf idea! - cook for about 30 min instead)

Friday -
veggie sandwiches from Passionate Homemaking

To help with grocery costs I try to buy only what we'll need THIS week, which means that we're often looking pretty bare by the end of the week, but the Lord has always provided.  I'm also thankful that my family enjoys nights like Wednesday's when we have breakfast for dinner.  Both Thursday's meatballs, and Friday's veggies for sandwiches have been frozen as I made each meal last week as well and saved half of the portions in the freezer for future use.  I'm sure I'll have extra French Dip meat from supper tonight to store away in the freezer as well.

life lately

I have lots of blogging ideas running through my mind lately, so I may become a bit more active in the blogging world... we'll see! For now I wanted to list a few of my favorite things about Moriah lately. Matt and I are so delighted to be her parents and share lots of funny things she does each day with one another, maybe our far away family and friends would like a glimpse of her spunky personality too :)

~ when headed out to run errands the other day, she said, "No, Mommy, Moriah working!" and ran, in a very toddler way, to the office where she showed me that she can climb into the chair all by herself to "work" on the computer like Daddy does

~ potty training has been a success though I'm still in charge of frequently taking her to the toilet, mostly without her asking though she's cooperative in going potty once we're in the bathroom

~ she recently received a John Deere tractor hat which adds to her collection and makes her oh so happy!

~ pink Crocs are her shoes of choice, most all of the time though she's loving wearing my shoes, or even Matt's shoes when we leave them out

~ every time she falls down or trips as she's busily playing, she looks up and says "ashes, ashes" as in "Ring Around the Rosie" - just covering up for the fall as if it was an intentional game :)

~ most close friends are warmly welcomed and bid goodbye with a "big hug", kisses, and pats on the back

~ since potty training has been a hit, she's become SO much more independent in many other things and insists on eating her breakfast all by herself most days with her spoon, she also likes trying to put her own pants/shorts/skirts on, and can successfully put shoes on as well

~ Moriah's go to toys of the moment seem to be her Bitty Baby doll (she loves to feed her, teach her how to walk, etc.), a small Curious George toy we discovered as I sorted former classroom items for a garage sale, and of course her John Deere tractors, she's also happy to carry around spoons while we're at home and asks for more or "another one" often

She's such a blessing and full of fun. I can't imagine missing these moments throughout each day, I'm thankful to have a front row seat during this season and pray that the Lord will continue to provide so that I can care for Moriah and any future children he brings. Thanks for your patience with a doting mama :)

I hope to figure out how to create pages so that I can categorize the blog a bit more for my own use and ease of reading. I have these ideas... meal plans (on a weekly basis) so that I refer back to them though I keep them in my homemaking binder I often veer from my original plans, an ongoing list of gratitude, life lately with short updates, and our growing girl with things specific to Moriah. I've also considered adding more of the projects I do as a nanny with three little ones, especially this summer as we'll have more "free time"!

For you are great and do wondrous things

you alone are God. - PSALM 86:10



Some of the wondrous things I've seen from the hand of God lately...

501. unseasonably warm weather
502. lovely walks outside
503. our favorite city walking destination is the local public library, we walk up a hill of charming homes, down a busy street past old building which house a bakery, bridesmaid dress boutique, and an Urban Farm House store (those are my favorites for window shopping anyway), then past two beautifully architectured (not a word, but conveys meaning) churches, and on to our quaint library
504. story time with other happy little ones
505. a picnic in the park with my sweet girl, these are surreal moments as a mom

506. reflecting on past friendships as I read through lots of letters during a recent organizational endeavor
507. seeing God's kindness in encouraging me each step of the way
508. hearing words of affirmation to my husband from another wise man
509. newly formed friendships of all kinds
510. discovering more of Henry County, Kentucky where we minister including "Our Best" restuarant and their delicious fried chicken!
511. fresh crappey (spelling?) fish from a generous church member
512. watching Moriah's joy on (toy, battery powered) Gator rides with her three year old friend Sullivan
513. wise words from women who've walked before me trusting in Christ through life's seasons
514. the power of Scripture to really transform our hearts
515. learning more of what it means and looks like to meditate upon Scripture and God through it
516. life as a mom, I longed for these days for years never feeling certain of God's plan, may I praise Him in it now
517. words, words, words that Moriah is learning... lately "John Deere!" (also learned from Mr. S. our little friend)

518. time out doors which is the best place for little ones and gives me a greater love for all I see in creation
519. baking cookies to share with others
520. looking forward to the birth of a friend's baby soon
521. knowing that the Lord would use me to minister
522. relying on His grace and work not my own attempts toward perfection, oh do I fall short every time
523. bath time for Moriah, the joys of bubbles and splashing
524. my husband who loves well
525. long nap times after full mornings of fun
526. dogwood trees in bloom, my favorite

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. - PSALM 86:12

an abundant life

from Jesus in John 10:10 "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
My abundance comes primarily from the person of Christ, beyond every precious and lovely gift listed He gave Himself at the cross that my constant disobedience and struggles could be forgiven and made right through the perfect life He lived. Praise the Lord for Christ and most importantly for His rising from the grave, showing all that He has power greater than death, the death I deserve. Instead He ushers us into eternity joyful in His presence and walks each day with us now, changing us to be like Him more and more.

462. a husband who works to provide for us well
463. shirts to be ironed for the hard working husband
464. a sleepy baby who tells me when she's tired these days
465. kisses from my little love spontaneously throughout the day, often accompanied by "pats" as she says
466. little boys who love the thrill of a "big job" and "hard work", a shadow of life in the Garden perhaps when even work was holy and without toil
467. growing green onions in a vase, an amazing Pinterest help
468. household chores in small bits each day
469. a happy baby who's on the mend after a long stretch of illness (my little friend Molly who I spend days nannying)
470. the joy of marriage, watching it on the face of a dear friend
471. opportunities to share the Lord's goodness in all of life
472. late community groups full of fellowship and time seeking the Lord
473. mutual encouragement from the body
474. walks in warm weather
475. a "Dutch baby" for dinner (aka oven pancake)
476. perfect provision even when it feels hard
477. a flower girl dress found and purchased used
478. snowsuits on little ones
479. the twinkle in his eye when he offered up his John Deere hat to my sweet daughter
480. the hope of a producing garden this summer and hands on learning
481. a full day off to learn
482. a daddy-daughter day while I go
483. safety in tornados
484. waiting out the storm with lots of friends and babies who consider it a play date of sorts
485. greater efficiency in the home
486. life less cluttered with things that don't offer purpose or beauty
487. tangibly pursuing the Lord with my husband
488. seeing the body at work in a local church and community group, needs being met
489. a rocking horse on the move through the efforts of a tiny girl
490. sin confessed
491. meal preparation often from the pantry
492. check book calculations off in a favorable way
493. talking with a friend just because
494. no big injuries thus far in the life of little girl, even after a week of a few bumps and bruises
495. teaching born first of the Word then transferring into daily living
496. a mid-week day off
497. sleeping and waking all in my own home
498. the opportunity to serve
499. the early enthusiasm of a chatty girl
500. stopping to hear the birds singing throughout the day as we go to and fro, little ones don't need help seeing the most important things

more and more to be thankful for

it's been longer than I wanted to wait before making another list of many things we can be thankful for, I'm sad to say that I know I can't possibly remember all of the Lord's good work in my life over the last two (or three?!) weeks... I'll do my best to remember and also be reminded that unless I acknowledge Him along the way I'm so prone to forget though His abundance is rich

431. did I say this already, an unexpected financial gift paying for half of Matt's summer class
432. a hard working husband who's reading, reading, reading these days to complete book reviews
433. a sweet husband who will read in the same room as me, just because I love being close (and I try to stay quiet)
434. walking with happy girls on a lovely day
435. children's consignment sales (I may have mentioned this before too?!)
436. slowly simplifying our life
437. realizing the Lord's provision and choosing not to cling to things for some sort of security
438. cleaning out closets and possessions that we can do without
439. recipe organization
440. kind people who become quick friends
441. generous hospitality of those who are far more "settled" in life yet still willing to share
442. quality resources shared among churches, being challenged by a "Money" book discussion out of an Acts 29 church
443. cold water when thirsty
444. little hands wondering where something went
445. a burst of energy after feeling a bit sick
446. God's timing which alone can be fully trusted
447. the joys of a library
448. birdwatching while I work
449. red headed downy woodpeckers, tufted titmice, and nuthatches all entertain as I wash dishes and watch children
450. filling up birdfeeders
451. a little man who hauls heavy loads in his Gator!
452. a three year old friend who asks why I have to go
453. roasting all kinds of vegetables together for a delicious side dish
454. the excitement of a wedding to celebrate
455. children sleeping
456. cooking with kids who love to help
457. loyal dogs
458. a storage unit
459. a baby girl who is more flexible than I realize
460. honey shared, local from a beekeeper in our church
461. cardboard box bulldozers