Monthly Meal Plan March 2013

Allow me to preface this post by saying that in my life BC (before children), I was a public school teacher for four and a half years.  Year four was when I finally felt like I was "getting it" and was comfortable in what I was doing as a teacher.  And now, I'm at four years and three months of being a mom, and I feel like I'm finally starting to figure it out.  Having three babies in as many years definitely threw me into survival mode, and it's been a long exhausting journey getting here, but I finally feel like I'm somewhat in control of my role as a wife, mom, and domestic goddess.  :)

That being said, I've been trying to find ways to maximize my time w/ my children and alleviate those high-stress periods throughout the day, primarily the chaos that ensues at meal times and during meal prep.  Also, my husband and I have been talking about some big dreams which includes really sticking to a budget, and I know one of the quickest ways to reduce spending is to plan and prepare meals at home so that I'm not tempted to pick up carry out or order a pizza.  Thanks to the inspiration of several blogs I follow, I decided to start doing a monthly meal plan that includes preparing freezer foods and meals.  I particularly like what Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler uses, so I adopted her model.

I spent four hours last night planning and preparing (there's a big learning curve initially if you're like me and tend to plan one or two days out but often find that you're flying by the seat of your pants).  I began by creating a master list of meals and foods that I commonly prepare and/or want to add to my repertoire (I hope to post several of those recipes eventually).  From there I looked at which ones had common ingredients and could be prepared in bulk as freezer meals.   Knowing your family's weekly activities is key, so I planned a big pasta lunch for Sundays after church and simple meals for Tuesday evenings since I attend a women's group then.  And of course, planning meals that will have enough leftovers for lunch is a huge time saver. 

You'll note that I have breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner posted each weekday.  Weekends often include travel and social events, so I left those open for leftovers or using a freezer meal.  I plan to do my grocery shopping on Friday mornings and freezer meals prep on the weekends.  (Friday is also our trash day, so it's a great day to make sure leftovers are used up and the fridge is cleaned out.  Like I said, there's so much to consider when starting this journey!)  And just because it's on the menu doesn't mean I can't be flexible.  I'm sure as the month goes on, we'll have things come up that will force me to modify as we go.

So I went grocery shopping early this morning sans kids (thanks to my awesome hubby), came home and cut up and froze three pounds of strawberries, threw a whole chicken in the crockpot (I'll debone it and cut the meat up to freeze for casserole use), and have another crockpot of soup cooking (also a freezer meal).  And now it's 10:15 and I'm sitting down with my coffee in hand and kiddos on either side as we enjoy Sesame Street.

So now that you know a little bit about my planning process, here's my menu!  Enjoy and modify for your own use!

 

Click here to download your Monthly Meal Plan, March 2013 (Word document, editable)

What's Cooking: Recipe Chicken Tortilla Soup

I have one of the best neighbors ever.  Seriously.  Ever.  She is a Christian woman with 2 young kiddos, and she is incredibly thoughtful, kind, and generous.  I cannot tell you how many times she has shown up on my doorstep with food or hand-me-downs in hand.  My girls are never in need of clothes, and we're often thankful for a surprise treat or full-blown meal.  I don't know if she'll ever fully understand what a blessing she is in my life or how thankful I am for her.

What's cooking in my kitchen right now is her recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Few meals are simpler than certain soup recipes, and most of the time they are freezer-friendly and provide ample leftovers, so I love making a big pot of soup (not to mention, they make the house smell so yummy!).  This one took me 5 minutes to prepare.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, uncooked
2 cans of black beans (undrained)
2 cans of stewed tomatoes (preferably the Mexican seasoned ones)
1 14.5 oz. can tomato sauc
1 cup salsa
1- 4 oz can peeled, diced green chiles

Fixings (optional):
Tortilla Chips or Strips
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream

1.  Place all ingredients in a crockpot on high for 8 hours (or less...until chicken is tender and falling apart)
2.  Just before serving, remove chicken breasts and shred.  Return to crock pot.
3.  Serve with fixings (optional).

Suggestions: You can spice this soup up by using black beans with jalapenos or substitute the green chiles for canned/diced jalapenos.  You could also slice up some avocado to add upon serving, serve with guacamole, or add some frozen or canned corn while cooking.  ENJOY!

So Much Has Happened

Well, in the past 21 months that I've been absent here, life has exploded.  Literally exploded.  Bear is in developmental preschool 4 days a week, has been walking for over a year now, and his speech is suddenly taking off as well. 

Lila is 2 1/2 but looks and talks like a 4-year-old.  She is everything I prayed for and more, kind and compassionate and CRAZY about her big brother.

And we've added Annabelle Grey to the mix (Anna or Anna Grey).  Crazy, but the girl is 14 mos already and has no troubles keeping up with her big brother and sis.  In fact, she's quite wily and often outsmarts the older two. 

And with all of this, I was trying to run my business of two Etsy shops that also exploded this past fall and winter. I was attempting to be the perfect mother and wife AND work a full time job from home all on my own strength.  And I was running on E.

I had known for awhile that it was time to give up my business.  I always justified keeping my shops open by saying that my business is my "creative outlet" or that it allows me to interact with adults on a daily basis.  But who was I kidding?  My business had become my drug.  I was addicted.  Addicted to the feelings of pride and success, addicted to others' praise, addicted to the rush I got every time I sold something.  And like anyone with an addiction, I thought I could control it, when in reality it was controlling me.  I was stressed out, overeating, exhausted, and empty.

And in the meantime, my kids were growing up with an absent momma.  "Mommy, I want to go outside." 

"Just a minute, baby, mommy's got to check this email."

"Mommy, can we play downstairs?" 

"In a little bit honey, mommy's finishing this hat."

And sadly, I watched them becoming bored, disinterested children who stopped asking me for good things because they knew that inevitably, I would put them off, or worse yet, ignore them altogether. 

As Kurt Bruner says in his book, It Starts at Home, "...the greatest threat to successfully passing the compass of faith to our children is negligence.  Our days are filled with activity and responsibility.  We live at such a fast pace that is is difficult to even think about the spiritual development of our children, let alone to direct it....We feel the guilt.  We regret the pace.  We worry about the outcome.  But we can't seem to break the cycle."

So as the calendar turned and the new year began, I was sitting at church listening to my pastor introduce our new sermon series, the book of Acts.  And though we only studied the first eight verses that morning, when we got to verse 8, Jesus's words of how our lives will "bear witness" when we receive the Holy Spirit shook me.  I knew that my life as I was currently living it was unremarkable and unchanged though I knew the Holy Spirit.  And though I have the Holy Spirit, I had stilled his voice.  Ignoring his promptings the same I had my own children's.

"Won't you pray with me this morning?"

"I'm exhausted.  Only got five hours of sleep last night.  Have to make kids' breakfast and get coffee."

"Will you open the Word and let me speak to you?"

"I have to get these items made and shipped out before tomorrow."

And though I don't doubt that he continued to ask, I became very good at tuning him out and neglecting his nudging and leading.  But I know he was still at work because I had known for several months leading up to this particular Sunday that I was going to close my business...that something had to give.  Though I had tried to quiet his voice, he had been preparing my heart for the words that were going to be spoken that January morning.  Preparing me for the greater things God had in store for my life.

So I came home from church that morning and told Dan it was time to call it quits w/ my business.  And then God stirred.  Simply by speaking the words, a stronghold was broken and God MOVED.  He stirred passions in me that had long been dormant.  Women's ministry, being intentional in my marriage, mothering, friendships.  And I feel alive.  And I've begun to dream.  And I feel my heart race at the hope and possibilities that God's put within me.  

I'm thankful that in spite of me, God can still use me, broken, selfish, and empty.  That he can restore me, change me, and fill me to become the vessel he needs me to be, the wife my husband needs, the momma my babies need, the daughter and sister my family needs, the friend my friends and neighbors need.  

Just Rambling

Dan decided to pull one on me today and started playing Bear's 1 year video that we made for his 1 year bday. As I watched I couldn't believe how quickly I was transported to so many places and feelings that I had left behind. Sooo many of them were happy, happy moments and memories, but I couldn't help but be haunted by some of those old feelings of fear, failure, and guilt. I was torn up for quite some time after watching it...like I tell Bear, that boy has wrecked his mama's heart forever. You can watch here, though I'm sure you won't be as torn up as this mama was. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FbftCMbx_c

Care Bears Buddy Walk 2011

I thought I'd share some pics from last year's Buddy Walk.
Just the 4 of us

Is Bear not the most beautiful boy ever?

My nephew, carrying our sign

The Care Bears, 2010

12 days. Most of us can't remember what we were doing 12 days ago and would agree that 12 days goes by so fast. Not for me. As a first time mom, 12 days seemed like an eternity. 12 days of waiting. Wondering. And finally, when I took my beautiful newborn baby to his first doctor's appointment 12 days after his birth, I received the scariest news *I thought* possible. "Bear's tests came back positive. He has Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)."

I cried. For days. Weeks. Months. And still do occasionally. But most of the time, those tears well up from a full, full heart. This boy has stolen my heart, and he exudes love and joy. His hugs melt into me. My arms were made to hold him. Daily, I tell him to never outgrow my arms. Daily, I remind him that he is my most favorite little guy in the whole wide world.

And today, I do this for him. Because he doesn't have a fighting bone in his body, today I walk for him, to fight for him, to ensure a bright future for him. The Buddy Walk is THE major fundraiser for Down Syndrome Indiana, the organization that first reached out to us as new parents of a child with Down syndrome. The organization that advocates for the rights of individuals with Down syndrome in their schools, workplaces, and communities. The organization that provides a vision of hope and a bright future for my son.

So will you walk with me? Sure, I know many of you won't be here physically, but will you walk with me by supporting Bear's team? Will you help us claim a place for Bear amongst his typical peers in the classroom, on sports teams, and eventually in the workplace?

Simply visit our First Giving page to support our team. http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/carebears11/BuddyWalkDonating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

I cannot thank you enough for your support--and don't forget to share this with anyone who you think might want to donate too!

The walk takes place along the canal in Indy.
Thousands of people were there last year,
and the canal was swarming with people on both sides.
My Mom and sister with a sleepy Bear

And They Say Kids Can Be So Cruel

Tonight I stopped at Dairy Queen with the kids. We were finishing our meals as an older lady and her adult son walked in. Immediately, it was apparent that something was "wrong" with him, and upon further observation, I could tell he had Down syndrome and severe disabilities as a result of it. He had little self control and his speech was unintelligible, but he was beautiful. He was oblivious of the stares from those around him and was simply happy to get his ice cream.

Not a minute later, a beautiful blond teenage girl and her mother walked into the restaurant, and got in line behind this gentleman. Hearing him speak, the girl couldn't contain her laughter and immediately headed for a booth to laugh at this guy. I was appalled. But I never would have imagined what was to follow. I fully expected her mother to come over and rebuke her for being insensitive, ignorant, immature, mean. But no. Her mother turned and laughed with her! I was beyond appalled. I was FURIOUS. The righteous anger of a mother welled up in me. How dare a MOTHER teach her daughter to be so cruel?

Thank goodness we were through with our meal (I had lost my appetite). I cleared the table and headed for the door. Being the middle child/peacekeeper/people-pleaser that I am, I had no intention of doing anything other than getting out of there. But something stirred in me, and I stopped as I came to their booth and said (politely), "Excuse me, but are you making fun of that gentleman up there?"

The girl froze, guilt written all over her face, and replied, "No."

"Oh, ok, I just wanted to make sure because I'm pretty sure he has Down syndrome, and so does my son, so I just wanted to make sure you weren't because that's so not cool."

And I walked out! Proud of myself. Shaking. Angry. Sad.

ADULTS!!! Grow up! Learn that different is ok. Don't excuse yourself for being ignorant. Choose to interact with people who are different than you. They don't have to have special needs in order to challenge yourself to get out of your bubble and grow. You teach your child so much more by the way you treat people than by the things you say. Imagine what a teachable moment that could have been for that teenage daughter if her mother had taught her about compassion, kindness, and sensitivity rather than immaturity, ignorance, and cruelty.

We cannot point fingers at our children and say, "Kids can be so cruel," if we ourselves are setting no better example. What slurs do you use in front of your children without even realizing it? Ever call someone or something retarded? Stupid? Dumb? Gay? We as adults must first live out kindness before we can ever expect our children to do the same.

A Boy Named Josh

We went to the zoo today, Dan, the kids, and me. Dan and I were nearly giddy at the thought of sharing with the kids giraffes, lions, and elephants. And our intuition was right. The kids LOVED everything they saw--lemurs, warthogs, porcupines...everything. But we had no idea what was waiting for us in the dolphin exhibit.

As we walked in, there was a young man sitting in one of the observatory windows, sitting along with a young woman. Immediately, we noticed his beautiful almond-shaped eyes, but even more so, his huge welcoming smile and greeting. Josh has Down syndrome. We started talking with the couple, and though Josh's words were difficult to understand, this mama's heart was taking in every word. Thoughts like, "He can talk. He's independent. He's healthy. He's LOVING," ran through my mind. Josh is magnetic. For fifteen minutes we listened to him talk about the dolphins and his hope to wear a wet suit and possibly swim with them.

And as if he didn't already have my heart, I knelt down with Bear and Lila (who were crawling all over the window seat and Josh) to have Josh look me square in the face and say, "You're really fine and lovely." I couldn't respond with words...only a hug was appropriate, and in that hug, I was suddenly thrust forward twenty years and realized that my little boy will never outgrow his mama's arms. Josh can hug. It's not one of those, "Well, it was nice seeing you" kind of hugs. Just like Bear, he melts into your arms and doesn't let go.

If you're a close friend of mine, you know that I often joke while hugging you and say, "Don't ever be the first to let go of a hug," thus making you hug me as long as I want to hold you. You can say so much through a hug, and Bear, who doesn't speak yet, has communicated more clearly through his hugs than many of us ever do with our words. Josh reminded me of that today.

We said our good byes and eventually left the dolphin exhibit. Throughout the day, we spotted Josh in different areas of the zoo, always, always bringing joy to the people he was interacting with. I couldn't help but think of my prayer for Bear while I was still carrying him as an unborn baby...that he would bring love and joy to everyone he ever meets.

4:00 came and the zoo was closing, so we sat outside the gate and had a snack with the kids before heading home. As we exited, I spotted Josh in the gift shop, dancing with his friend. I smiled. I couldn't help but look for him while we enjoyed our snack with the kids. And then he came.

And he hugged me. And wouldn't. let. go. Josh held me for ten minutes while we talked with Kirby, his friend and now home-health assistant. He whispered that he loved me and would miss me. And patted my back. And got misty-eyed when I did the same. Our hearts spoke to each other as mine told his of the hurt it's experienced due to Bear's diagnosis, and his told mine, "Look at how great it is." Mine told him how much it needed to meet him today, and his told mine, "It will be ok."

I thought I was going to the zoo today to show my kids the elephants. Thank goodness it was to meet Josh.