Don't Worry

I haven't posted a lot of "food" pictures lately and I didn't want any of you to worry. I wanted to be sure you all knew that My Girl still LOVES to eat and My Girl still LOVES spaghetti (or any noodles for that matter)!

Just wanted to be sure no one was worrying!

Menu Plan Monday

This is week #2. My budget for 3 weeks is $180. Last week I spent $102.92. This week I spent $6.00 at Aldi and I spent $28.77 at Kroger for a total this week of $34.77. I have $42.31 for next week. I am happy with this! It is going well.

Here is the menu for this week:

Monday: Chicken Stir Fry, Lima Beans
Tuesday: Ham Delights, Squash
Wednesday: Breakfast
Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas, Rice, Mexicorn
Friday: Pound Pound Bottle, Chips
Saturday: Chris' Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Baked Beans
Sunday: Leftovers

To see other's menu plans check out Org Junkie! (There are lots of ideas there!)

Our Sunday Pictures

Look What I Got

Harris Teeter Triple Coupons are AWESOME!!!
Thanks Kathy, for letting me know!!

I have to drive a little to get to the one closest to us but look at what I got!!!

I saved $11.94 with the VIC Card.
I saved $44.65 with coupons.
I paid $15.70 for all of this!!
Woooooo! Hoooooooo!
Yes, you can laugh if you want, I thought that was fun!

The Cast

So, does anyone really know what a growth plate is? I apparently didn't. If that is damaged it can cause major problems with the growing process. As we have learned more about Hannah's injury we decided that a cast is the way to go. Hannah's pediatrician and the orthopedic doctor were very pleased we changed our mind and really felt this was the right thing to do.

When we got the XRay the doctor did not seem to tell us everything about what was going on. He may have just thought we knew more than we did. I think from now on we are going to walk into any new doctor and the first thing we are going to say is "We Are Clueless. We Need EVERYTHING Explained!"

:-)

Here are the before and after pictures. She was so good while they were putting it on. I brought some of her favorite books and we looked at books while nurse Angie did her thing. Hannah picked PINK!!! Of Course!!

Pray for my sanity for the next two weeks please!!

Look At My Little 6 Month Old!

Today Justus had is 6 month Doctor's appointment.
He seems is doing great.

He weighs 18 lbs 8 oz (75%)
His length is 28 1/4 inches (95%)
His head circumference is 46 1/4 cm (95%)

He is a big boy but very proportional and that is what they like to see!!
He already seems to be growing up too fast.
Crazy!

New Book

Swapping Lives was good and I definitely would not mind reading more of Jane Green's books. I will say, though, these stories that I have read that spend some if not all their time overseas in London or somewhere have horrible language. In this book, in fact, there is a lady from the US who goes to London and part of the book talks about how the woman from the US can not believe how casual their bad language is. Anyway, it is a cute story about the concept of "the grass is always greener....". I enjoyed it and will probably try to read more of her books.

Again, I am trying to decide what to read next. I had decided that I am not quite ready to get into a series and I have been missing my Fern Michaels a bit so I am going to read No Place Like Home by Fern Michaels. Of course, when I starting looking for a picture of the book on line I realized that this is the first of 2 books (a series just like I didn't want to do ..... )!! I am really terrible with this kind of thing.

(I have already ordered the next book called Family Blessings, though, from PaperBackSwap.com! - I'm a sucker!)

However, as I was looking up the Fern Michaels books I did discover that this year 2 more books are coming out in the Sisterhood series and I am SO excited. Under the Radar and Razor Sharp are scheduled to come out this year. Under the Radar in May!!! YAYAYAYAY!

Lesson Learned

SO, Saturday night as Hannah is playing with some of her friends, she suddenly starts to cry. I run to her and she says her knee hurts.

I look at it.
It looks fine.
I put her down.
She collapses unable to stand up.
Upon closer inspection one knee does look a little swollen.

She then sits in her Daddy's lap the rest of the evening and won't play. If you know Hannah, you know this is WEIRD. Beyond Weird. Crazy WEIRD!

Chris and I think she just fell and it will be better in the morning after some rest. All day Sunday and all day Monday Hannah is limping and randomly falling as she is walking every now and then because her knee seems too weak at time to carry her. She even does this in the middle of the night when she gets up to go the bathroom and when no one is looking. SO, we are sure she is not just doing it for attention.

Last night Chris takes Hannah to the doctor and here is her X-Ray.

An Occult Salter 1 Fracture, which Chris describes to me as a fracture you can not see.? The doctor said that he knows it is there because the distance between the growth plate and the bone is too big. Everyone see it? Everyone get it?

Yeah, me either.

Anyway, we choose to try to keep her off her leg on our own instead of having a cast. Let's just say that it has not been that fun today. And let's just say that I really feel like I need to be off my feet too. I need to lay around and watch movies and eat my favorite foods. I should really be taking advantage of this and maybe I will over the next couple of days but ... Today ... the first day of this whole thing. I am lounging. I feel exhausted even though I am not the one hurt. Craziness. I know.

SO, the Lesson Learned, you ask, is what, exactly??

LESSON LEARNED:
When your Mommy and Daddy tell you not to jump on the bed because you could get hurt. They Mean It!!

Menu Plan Monday

Alright, I am starting over with a new 3 week period. I have $180 in the budget for the entire 3 weeks. This week I spent $29.83 at Aldi and $73.09 at Kroger for a total of $102.92. So for the next two weeks, I have $77.08!! Looks good so far!!

Here is the menu for this week:

Monday: Creamy Pasta Primavera, Lima Beans
Tuesday: 4 Can Black Bean Chili, Biscuits
Wednesday: Chicken and Rice, Green Beans
Thursday: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread
Friday: Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Potatoes
Saturday: Pizza Boats, Chips
Sunday: Leftovers

To see other's menu plans check out Org Junkie! (There are lots of ideas there!)

Our Sunday Video

Hannah was "reading" this book to Justus.
Of course, reading really means singing a book to him.
She just sings whatever she sees on the pages.

Check it out.

Our Sunday Pictures

Confessions

1. I would rather clean up the toys than have the kids clean them up.
   
2. I think organic stuff is weird.
3. I wish everything in my pantry was in all the same kind of containers so that it would look uniform and pretty.
4. I really wish I had the money, the time and the energy to OVER-organize my whole house.
5. I really don't think I should be watching American Idol. It is definitely NOT a "family" show and the fact that they tell someone to "dirty up" to be successful and it actually worked tells us something about the priorities in this world.
6. But I really want to know who wins and how they won. I am torn. But I really shouldn't be.
   
7. I have a guilty pleasure in watching Friends and I laugh EVERY time! Weird.
8. The way Mickey Mouse's ears go one on top of the other when they show his profile really bothers me. Seriously watch it next time. His ears move up and down on his head.
9. I think Hannah's tushie is so cute and I love to pinch it and make her giggle. I crack up every time.
10. I really like balancing our check book (even though the bottom number is NOT high) just because I like the numbers.
11. I dream of sitting down one quiet day and reading a whole book and eating Doritos and drinking Diet Coke.
12. I have taught Hannah (my 2 year old) how to put the silverware away from the dishwasher just so I don't have to do it.

Whew! Now that I have got all that off my chest. Is there anything you need to confess??

I Can't Get Enough

Seriously.
This is a real problem.
I really need help.
I dream about the salad and breadsticks.
Is this healthy?

Menu Plan Monday

I have $180 to spend over 3 weeks. I have spent $147.69 and this week I spent $33.69 for a total of $181.38. MAN, $1.38 over. Urggggg!! At least I was close!

I really really enjoy planning this far ahead. Even though it takes a little longer one week, it is so nice to not have to think the other weeks. I really like doing it this way.

Here is the menu for this week:
(Sorry, sweet hubby of mine, that it is SO late!)

Monday: Chicken Lo Mein, Green Beans
Tuesday: Cheeseburger Meatloaf, Potatoes
Wednesday: Fiesta Chicken Pasta, Zesty 3 Bean Salad
Thursday: Tuna Noodle Casserole, Lima Beans
Friday: Chili
Saturday: Eating over at a friend's. We are bringing Corn and Mac-n-Cheese!
Sunday: Leftovers

To see other's menu plans check out Org Junkie! (There are lots of ideas there!)

Our Sunday Pictures

New Book

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F Wright was GREAT! Jason F Wright is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors with this book and Christmas Jars. And both of these books had a great moral message too. Definitely check out his books if you can.

Well, after having 3 book swaps here at my house and everyone leaving whatever doesn't get taken I have discovered a few books that I have and I have no idea about them or where they even came from. I have decided to read one of these books that have mysteriously come into my possession next. It is called Swapping Lives by Jane Green. I have read a few pages in it already and it is another novel that has a British aspect to it.

I will let you know how it goes.

Special Bloggy Recognition

I quoted a movie in my last "Our Sunday Pictures" post.
I challenged you all to tell me what movie that was.

Aladdin

The girl I knew would know it, came thru!!

SARA JO!!

Good Job
(Told you that you would get Bloggy Recognition)

Menu Plan Monday

OK, so I have got $180 to buy for 3 weeks worth of groceries. I spent $117.33 last week and this is week 2. I have a confession - I had a couple of budgets I was working with this week. I had something going on at the church building, and I had a care package I was buying for SO I got myself a little mixed up. As best I can tell, I am pretty sure that I spent $30.36 on our family groceries.

This means that so far I have spent $147.69 and for next week I have $32.31 that I can spend. I think I can do it.

Here is the menu for this week:

Monday: Pork Medallions Alfredo, Lima Beans
Tuesday: Taco Salad, Chips & Salsa
Wednesday: One Dish Chicken Skillet, Green Beans
Thursday: 4 Can Black Bean Chili, Fritos
Friday: Eating out with Family
Saturday: Eating out with Family
Sunday: Leftovers

To see other's menu plans check out Org Junkie! (There are lots of ideas there!)

Our Sunday Pictures

Thought those were cute - huh? Now, lets look at the OUTTAKES!!

Justus: Would you get me out of this chair with her, please?
Hannah: Am I smiling? I don't feel like I'm smiling.

Justus: Take the picture, already!!
Hannah: Mommy, I know you want to take my picture but have you ever noticed this little piece of lint over here? Who put it there? Why is it there? Did you put it there? Is it dirty? What ....

Justus: Choking Here! Does anyone notice that I am choking? Are these Sunday Pictures this important?
Hannah: I love my brother. He is so squishy!

Justus: I am outta here!
Hannah: Mommy, I am trying to keep him here but it is really hard to do that and smile for your picture at the same time.

Heaaay!

Too close. A little too close.
((Bloggy Recognition to the person who knows what movie this quote is from!))

Falling. Um, does anyone notice I am falling? My balance is not that great yet. Did you know I am only 5 months old?

This one is for Grandpop. He is spitting just like you taught him. I think I should make you come back here and UnTeach it to him!! :-)

100 Calories

Do these 100 Calorie packs really help you in any way if you eat the whole box in one day??

Celebrate!

Happy Bolgoversary to Me!!
I have been blogging for 2 years now. What fun.
((Now I just have to try to get it all in a book for my children to read one day.))

Sometimes, I can ruin things. Anything really. Because I can catch myself living in fear. I talked about this on my very first blog post. I think I am better in some ways but I am not where I should be. Here is the first scripture I ever put on my blog and I am remembering it, especially, today.

Ps 91:1-4 (NIV)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."
Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Thank You Lord, for Your Shelter!!

An Eventful Friday Evening

((almost 2 weeks ago - - - I am so so behind!))
Grandmom and Grandpop came for supper and we had a really great evening with them.

Grandpop taught Chris and I how to get the little bone out of the chicken leg so that Hannah could eat the chicken actually off the bone all by herself for the first time ever. Hannah thought she was pretty special but we had to keep reminding her not to eat the bone - just eat the chicken.

Grandmom and Grandpop got a chance to tickle, talk to, play with, and get tons of smiles from Mr Justus. (They were able to do all this with Hannah too but she is TOO busy for pictures sometimes!)
Justus is wondering why they are not looking at him anymore. He likes it much better when they pay attention to him.
Now Justus looks like he is telling on them. He will learn soon enough that Grandmom and Grandpop will always kiss. You just have to get use to it. They especially love to kiss when you are taking a picture of them. ((However, please note that Justus is trying to get one over on Grandpop. Look closely. Justus is holding Grandmom's hand.))
Then they got to witness Justus in his bouncy swingy thingy. Despite the fact that you don't see any smiles - he loves it!! Thanks Moss Family for letting us borrow it.

New Book

Marley and Me was great. I laughed and I cried. I think that anyone who read this book would like it. It is light and loving and cute and funny. One of the things I liked most about it was that the entire book was from the perspective of the man. That was fun for me to read and I think it also makes this book a good all around book that a male or female would enjoy. ((I am SO hoping Chris will read it and then we can go see the movie together!))

My next book is Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright. This is the same author as Christmas Jars, which is a great book. (Chris even read Christmas Jars and liked it so much he wanted a sequel to know what happened next!) I am excited about reading it.

I will let you know how it goes.

Menu Plan Monday

So, I did it again this week. I decided to plan for 3 weeks. At a $60 a week budget, I have $180 to use for the next 3 weeks. This was the big week to get ready for the 3 weeks.

I spent $33.23 at Aldi and $84.10 at Kroger for a total of $117.33. I have got about $62.00 left for the next 2 weeks. I hope I can do it!!

Here is the menu for this week:

Monday: Chicken and Tomato Pasta Toss, Lima Beans
Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas, Rice
Wednesday: Chick-Fil-A at the church building with friends
Thursday: Saucy Parmesan Chicken, Cream Corn Casserole
Friday: Ham and Swiss Stromboli, Zesty 3 Bean Salad
Saturday: Bruschetta Chicken Bake, Potatoes
Sunday: Supper at the church building with friends

(WOW! This must be Chicken Week. Didn't realize that until now - - I think we can handle it.)

To see other's menu plans check out Org Junkie! (There are lots of ideas there!)

Our Sunday Pictures

I laid him down on the boppy and he was very upset. So we sat him up in his boppy and he was very happy. He is doing such a great job of sitting up and he definitely prefers it.

Justus is looking up at his silly Daddy! Look at those eyelashes!

Yes, Hannah has a green bruise under her eye. It is from LAST Sunday actually. She was flirting with one of the handsome young (he is in 2nd or 3rd grade) boys that sit behind us and she whipped around and hit her eye on the song book rack. Luckily it was during a song and she just cried for a minute but it looked pretty bad this week - turned lots of pretty colors. (( Watch out Jake - Mr Chris might make you pay for this one! he he! ))

ALERT! Communication Error between Mommy and Daddy.
I thought Chris got a few pictures of Hannah by herself so I didn't do any more. Whoooops! This is the only one we got of her by herself this week. She is so funny.
Thank You Chloe for sharing this dress with Hannah!