Date Night

Andrew and I had an actual date night on Saturday night - it was wonderful! We went to dinner and a movie. Dinner was good and the movie was great!

I know we are behind the 8 ball on this movie but we saw the Blind Side (based on a true story). It's still in the theaters and we have been trying to go and see it since it came out. We laughed and cried through it and our hearts were touched. This story holds a very special place in our lives - it is a book that had a huge impact on Andrew in the summer of 2008. My sister bought it on a whim for him and he read it mere weeks before we received the call about Titus. It's a story that God used to bring Titus into our family.

Our tears flowed as we were once again confronted with the sad and harsh reality of some children's lives - this teenager had never had a bed and never been read to. The love and acceptance of this family was incredible. We wholeheartedly recommend it and urge you to see it. In many way, it once again challenged us with how God wants us to be involved. It is definitely a movie we will own.

MPM: 1/11-1/17

I haven't joined into Menu Plan Monday for quite some time but I must get back to better and more efficient planning. So hopefully this will help!

MONDAY: Sweet & Tangy Pot Roast, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Peas & Pearl Onions, Lemon Pound Cake w/Blueberry Sauce

TUESDAY*: Egg Rolls, Steamed Dumplings, Shrimp Lo-Mein, Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Fortune Cookies & Chinese Almond Cookies

WEDNESDAY: Black Bean Enchiladas, Applesauce, Salad

THURSDAY: Pasta Carbonara, Salad, Citrus Fruit Salad, Crème Brulee

FRIDAY: Out with the girls, Breakfast for Supper or leftovers – Andrew cooks

SATURDAY: Pasta Soup, Salad, Bread

SUNDAY: Chicken Curry over Sweet Potatoes or Rice, Salad

Breakfasts:
Oatmeal w/fruit x2
Cereal x3
Eggs & Toast
Cream of Wheat & Fruit

Lunches:
PB & J x2 for school
Egg Salad
Grilled Cheese
Refried Bean & Cheese Burritos
Leftovers
Sides: Pretzels, Fruit, Carrots, Yogurt

Snacks: Nuts, Raisins, Cereal Bars, Apples, Veggies

We are having company on Tuesday. We are also having dessert more this week than we ever do but I'm testing some recipes for The Cooks Next Door. Several of the recipes will appear over on that site very soon! Thanks to orgjunkie for hosting - check out her site for many more menu plans!

Food Budgeting

We decided that it was time to end our delivery of organic produce. I cancelled our account yesterday with a bit of sadness. But in order to meet our goals for this year, we have to cut expenses. It's just the reality if we want to make progress towards our long term goals of being debt-free, moving to a new house, and being prepared if God calls us to adopt again or to support and give to a family who is adopting.

As we are working on budget goals, I am challenged in the food area. We are committed to healthy eating and using fresh foods and we try to buy mostly organic (and mostly local) meats, eggs, and milk. The challenge is knowing exactly how much money to allocate, what to make a priority etc. And so I'm thinking I will make a master list of the foods that are a "necessity" and the foods that are "extra." I'm going to be seeing where the best deals are as well as carrying a list of what produce is best if purchased organically.

Compromising on quality of food is just not an option (we have decided that as a family) but being more economical, buying less and eating more vegetarian are definitely some of the goals. We need to use everything we buy so we have less waste and I need to get back to better/more effective menu planning (you may see a return to Menu Plan Monday around here). I plan/hope to shop once a week which will require me to be very organized. I think it will take several months to really figure out what works.

In sharing this, I realize that there is no right way and everyone's food budget, eating goals, and priorities are different and that is okay! This is just where our family is right now. I love to cook, I love to menu plan, and I love using local, fresh ingredients. I just need to be committed to doing this in ways that work for our family and budget.

This year will be a year of change - keeping better track of spending, using a modified "envelope system", and working towards honoring God more with our spending, our saving, our giving, and our goals.

Let It Snow!

For once (or so it seems), the weather people got it right! It IS snowing and accumulating. The boys' school is closed although the city schools are not - I wonder if they will have early release? It has been so absolutely cold here without very much snow - the boys would much prefer some snow. They have been wanting, "God to make it snow alot, alot."

I think Andrew may work from home - he brought home everything he would need "just in case." The snow is supposed to be continuing until tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, we live in an extremely treacherous neighborhood - treacherous because they don't bring plows through very early at all and we often can't get out and can barely get in. Oh well. I don't mind being snowed in.

This weather makes me want to bake and cook like crazy! So perhaps we will have some yummy food today - sounds good to me. And maybe I will finally get the tree down. I know the boys will play out in the snow and then come in for hot chocolate. Ah, sounds like the makings of a wonderful day.

(I'm consciously ignoring the fact that the boys have been at each other just about every minute of this morning so far - nothing a little snow won't fix - right?!) :)

I Wonder...

...if one day were spent walking in the shoes of an orphan or foster child, if more children would find forever homes? Their daily reality and personal journey should challenge to action. My heart grieves for them. It's not just someone else's problem.

Routine

Some days just start rough. Starting at about midnight we had children up several times last night which made our sleep restless at best. :) The snack I thought I had for school was not there necessitating far more thought and energy to come up with something else (and yes, I realize that if I had checked last night that all would have been avoided :)). The boys dawdled and complained about the cold (it's absolutely frigid here). But we finally made it to school with enough snack, packed lunches, and warm clothes. Titus and I are back home and he is down for a nap - I may soon follow. :)

I was delighted that the teacher pulled me aside this morning and asked if she could do Kazakhstan for one of their cultural study weeks this month. I know the boys will be so excited since they are so interested in Kaz and we talk about it quite a bit! So I need to pull some things together for her so she can plan.

Thus begins the more normal routine of 2010. My to-do list is long, my husband working many hours this week, and my boys are already asking when it will be warm. :)

Oh and feel free to head on over to The Cooks Next Door and enter our giveaway!

And So It Begins

I'm committed to getting things more organized and de-junked. I do not have illusions of it being an easy process nor that it will be a one time activity. I know it will take a lot of work to maintain and I know that I'm going to spend A LOT of time working through each room, closet, drawer etc. We've been in our house for 6 years and added a dog and three children during those years - the accumulation is evidence of that.

It will be worth it. It will be ongoing. It's easy for me to get discouraged and give up - especially since it is way more important to me than anyone else in my house. :) However, as with every fresh year, I want this goal to be met. It's on my list every year and some progress is made every year but it often feels that we go backward more than forward. Sigh.

So today, I'm starting on the master bedroom which, sadly, tends to be the catch-all. I can't stand it - it should be a place of peace and retreat and it has been in the past. I fully intend to restore it to it's former peacefulness. It seems a good place to start because it also does much to build and encourage our marriage when we have a quiet place of retreat.

I'm overwhelmed yet excited. I'm discouraged yet hopeful. I'm weary yet determined.

Hopes & Dreams

It's that time of the year again - the very beginning of a brand-new year. I always like to take a little time to consider what my hopes and dreams are for the coming year. Yes, a kind of resolutions or perhaps goals.

Here are some of mine (ours):
- Support missions and advocate for orphans everywhere.
- Continue on the quest of home organization - I think this is the same for every year. :)
- Make decisions regarding the boys' education for next year.
- Work hard towards becoming completely debt free (well, with the exception of mortgage).
- Compile the C family recipes into a cookbook.
- See The Cooks Next Door grow and begin to break even.
- Perhaps one of the biggest goals is to spend lots of time with my husband and beautiful sons - playing, laughing, growing, feeding, loving, educating, and investing in their lives.
- And finally, to grow in my walk with the Lord, to be the best wife and mom I can be, and to be compassionate and thankful.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I look forward to spending time with friends - old and new. 2009 brought some wonderful relationships with some amazing, like-minded women and I am incredibly thankful!

What are some of your goals?

Happy New Year!

Here's to the start of a brand-new year, and another year of blogging (this year on my new laptop - thanks to my sweet and generous husband!)! Cheers!

We had my siblings (the marrieds) over to ring in 2010 and had such a great time! And today is our family "Christmas at New Year's" celebration. I just love being in a big family - never a dull moment, lots of chaos, always a friend, and more food, teasing, affection, and love than any one person deserves. It's wonderful and fun!

Anyway, wishing you and yours a very

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2010!