Menu Plan Monday: Week of April 29-May 6

I skipped my Menu Plan last week for reasons I'm sure you understand! We have been so blessed by friends and family bringing us meals that we haven't had to cook a thing on our own!! This week we still have meals coming for several week nights plus family in town but for those nights that may not be covered, I wanted to get a few ideas down.

Here is our tentative plan:

Monday

Friends bringing a meal

Tuesday

Neighbor friend bringing a meal

Wednesday

Friends bringing a meal
*My dad and stepmom arrive today so we may order something out to make sure there is enough for everyone and save our friends meal for lunch!

Thursday

Pork Chops
Baked Potato
Fried Okra
Wheat Rolls

Friday

My brother is bringing dinner from his restaurant. Yum!

Saturday

I'm hoping I feel well enough to go out for dinner! I'm itching to get out of the house!

Sunday

Tacos
Spanish Rice
Refried Beans
Chips & fresh Guacamole


I'm linking up & sharing menu ideas at Menu Plan Monday! What's on your menu this week?

He's Here!!!

My precious baby boy, Luke Francis was born Wednesday, April 18th at 1:49pm. He weighed 8lbs 4 oz and was 20.5 inches long!! We have just been loving him to death. He is the best baby so far, sleeps like a dream and only cries during diaper changes or when he's really hungry. What a blessing he has been!

I had intended on posting of his arrival much sooner, but his delivery was not all roses so I've been in a sleepy, drugged up haze since his birth! Today I feel like I may have turned a corner just a tad and am looking forward to feeling a little better each day. He's waking up from a nap now, time to eat!! But I will post his birth story as soon as I can!

April Garden Update & First Broccoli Harvest!

We have been having such a fun time with our garden so far this year! It's just amazing to me how quickly things can grow, literally overnight!!

Here is a quick update, in pictures!

Broccoli-about ready to harvest

My first 2 crowns- ready for eating!

It took just 45 days for our first bit of broccoli to be ready. And oh was it good!


Planting Zuchinni & Squash seeds on April 6th

They sprouted after 5-6 days and here is how they look today:

Keira and I also planted green beans from seed and it sprouted in about 6 days as well. Here it is today:

The pepper plants are flowering but no baby peppers just yet, except for the Jalepeno plant.

My Boxcar Willie tomato is flowering but no maters' yet. But my little patio tomato plant is doing awesome with 6 little tomatoes already!

Here is a look at my 2 raised bed gardens today:

And just for fun, look at this cute guy my girls found hanging out on our front door the other day!

I have so much more I'd love to write & share, but, WE'RE HAVING A BABY TOMORROW!! Yippie! The ultimate garden harvest of all, mine :)




I'm linking up at



and

Homestead Revival's Barn Hop

Menu Plan Monday: Week of April 16-22

This will probably be my last Menu post for a few weeks since I may be a little out of it after our baby boy is here! As I mentioned last week, I made a huge Costco trip to stock up on easy dinner items to carry us through. Also I know some friends and family will be stopping by and bringing meals which will be SO nice!

We didn't end up having our Mahi or Pork Chops this week but I had Tilapia Sunday instead. Another great Costco item!! It is Tortilla Crusted Tilapia. What is so great about this is that you can take it from the freezer and straight to the oven and it cooks in just 12 minutes! I also had fresh broccoli right out of our garden. My first broccoli harvest :) Turned out delicious!

Friday we had a fabulous date night. Too bad the mexican food yumminess did not send me into labor! Saturday night I had a friend in from out of town so a group of us girls met up at an old Italian spot for dinner. The plates were huge so I had plenty of leftovers to bring home.

Since we didn't eat everything I planned this past week, these will be my back up meals for this coming weekend unless someone brings us dinner.

Here is our tentative plan:

Monday

Leftover Pasta for me and hubby
Frito Pie for the girls


Tuesday

Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas
Black Beans


Wednesday

At the hospital-My mom is keeping the girls and in charge of dinner :)


Thursday

At the hospital


Friday

First night home!!
????Not sure what we will be eating???


Saturday

Grilled Mahi Mahi
Wild Rice
Mixed Veggies
Wheat Rolls


Sunday

Pork Chops
Baked Potato
Fried Okra


I'm linking up & sharing menu ideas at Menu Plan Monday! What's on your menu this week?

Baby update- 39 weeks!

I'm anxiously waiting to meet our little boy!!! I was 39 weeks yesterday. It's hard to believe the time is just about here, but at the same time it feels like I have been pregnant forever. I can't remember what it feels like to have a normal body, or what my stomach used to look like.

Last Wednesday I had an appt with my OB and I was still at 1cm dilated, same as past 2 weeks. We started talking about possible induction for this week. I was really hoping to go into labor on my own since I have never experienced that before. I was induced with my first (Keira) at 39 weeks due to gestational diabetes, and with my second (Callie) at 38.5 weeks mostly because of convenience, having Keira in her last day of preschool. My due date is Sunday, April 22nd. So today at 39 weeks and 1 day, I'm officially more pregnant than I've ever been!! I have had several false alarms- too many crazy braxton hicks contractions and other aches and pains- that I thought for sure he was coming! But NADA.

Waiting it out wouldn't be too bad but my husband has a huge annual work conference beginning April 30th that he really needs to attend that is out of state. My mom lives close and my dad and step mom will be in town part of the time he is gone so I feel like I will be ok as long as we have a little time at home to adjust as a family.

This morning I went back to the Dr and I'm still at a "loose" 1 cm and thinned out just a tad. A little dissappointing but I think it should all go well. We decided to go ahead and schedule an induction for Wednesday morning!! Both girls will be in school and my mom can pick them up and bring them up to see the baby after he's born. If all goes well with delivery and the baby, we should be home Friday.

With just 2 days left before his arrival, I've been busy finishing up my Spring cleaning and baby to-do list. Last week I got the fridge and pantry all stocked and this weekend Kevin hung the curtains in his room. Today I washed windows on our patio, swept the garage and finished up some laundry. I should be able to finish everything up tomorrow. I'm definitely running low on the "nesting" energy!

Here are a few pictures of the room with the paint and bedding so far. The room is coming along, I bought a few wall art pieces from Etsy & have the changing table in there as well. I also have some shelves to hang. Right now it is difficult to get everything completed until we remove the double bed. This was our former guest room, and with family coming in town immediately after the birth we needed a place for them to stay. We have a bassinet in our room for him to sleep for the first month or so. Once it is all completed, I will post pictures of the whole room!

Callie was so excited to help get the crib up for baby!

The wall color is a light blue/turquoise, it's called La Fonda Mirage by Valspar from Lowe's. I'm so glad it turned out exactly like I wanted!

A more close up of the bedding.

And here I am at 38 weeks. Still need to take one more photo tomorrow!

Sleeping has gotten more and more difficult, but I keep telling myself that any sleep I am getting now is more than I will get once he is here!

Menu Plan Monday: Week of April 9-15

After a nice long 3 day weekend, it's time to get back to reality! We had a busy weekend full of Easter egg hunts (too much candy!), church and family time. Sunday we went to my mom's for a big family dinner. It was nice not having to cook for 3 nights in a row!!

I also managed to get my hospital bag packed and washed/boiled all of the baby bottles and pumping parts. Laundry is all caught up and about half my house is clean :) Still working on the other half this week. At least I feel like the major things are done if baby boy decides to make his appearance early!

Oh, and yes, I realize it is already Tuesday and not Monday. However I needed to do a major grocery store run and Costco stock up before I could plan a menu. I went yesterday with Callie in tow and she did awesome. Nevermind the 5000 snacks she ate before check out!! I feel like my fridge/freezer/pantry are now fully stocked and hope it last me at least a few weeks, besides a run here and there for milk, bread and fruit/veggies.


Now that I actually have some food, here's what's on our menu:


Monday

Teriyaki Chicken & Veggie Stir Fry
with Brown Rice
(Costco has an awesome Teriyaki Chicken that comes frozen. You just add your own veggies of choice and serve over rice. Easy and tasty stir fry!)


Tuesday

Pizza-Ordered out
*What I planned for tonight fell thru as hubby was late getting home. After a day of contractions I didn't feel comfortable running to the store for the one item I forgot.


Wednesday

Turkey Burgers on Whole Wheat Buns
Sweet Potato Fries
Ranch Style Beans


Thursday

Chicken & Apple Sausage with Whole Wheat Pasta
Spring Salad
Wheat Rolls

Friday

Dinner Out-Date night!
I'm very excited since this may be my last one for a while!! My husband is playing in a golf tournament benefitting the charities of my Junior League and afterwards they are having a mexican catered dinner and outdoor concert!


Saturday

Grilled Mahi Mahi
Wild Rice
Mixed Veggies
Wheat Rolls


Sunday

Pork Chops
Baked Potato
Fried Okra


I'm linking up & sharing menu ideas at Menu Plan Monday! What's on your menu this week?

Etsy Love

Last weekend my husband painted the baby's room and my beautiful bedding came in. Since then I have been looking for art work for his room on Etsy. I just love all of the unique pieces you can find there. Trying to narrow it down and make a decision is the hard part! Here are a few things I have my eye on:


Love these colors! His wall color is almost the same as this, it is a light turquoise.

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

I just ordered these!

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

So sweet!

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

Thinking about this in the Brown but she also has so many colors to choose from. I could do Orange or Blue as well.

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

Trying to decide if this is the right shade of Orange. Love it though!

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

Ordered this one too but with Orange!

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

Love the Chevron pattern, the bedding has this in the bed skirt.

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

This goes well with the other jungle animals.

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

I will need to remember this!

Source: etsy.com via Caroline on Pinterest

There is so much to choose from, I can't even post them all!! I'm trying to decide and order everything else by today. I still would need to go and pick out frames for all of the prints. Tomorrow is my child-free day so I'm planning to hit up Michael's for my frames. Then maybe JC Penney for a rod and curtains for the room. I also bought a few white shelves that need to be hung and then I can add a few fun knick knacks :) It's all coming together, finally! I can't wait for the finished room!

Happy Easter!

Hope you all have a blessed Easter Sunday!


"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."
-- Matthew 28: 6-10 KJV

Menu Plan Monday: Week of 4/2 - 4/8

Another busy & productive weekend behind us!! At this point, with the possibility of the baby coming any day now, most of our weekends are spent getting prepared for his arrival. I wish I had more time for meal planning but I have a feeling that won't be happening so much for a little while :)

So I'm relying on a few easy standby recipes and also making use of leftovers. And with it being Easter weekend, we have a few things planned with family & church. Here's what's on our menu:


Monday

Whole Roasted Rotisserie Chicken (from the deli)
Broccoli & Cheese
Whole Wheat Rolls
Fruit


Tuesday

Taco Night!!
Ground Turkey Tacos
Black Beans
Spanish Rice
Fresh Guacamole


Wednesday

Creamy Chicken, Mushrooms & Rice
(Using up leftover chicken, mix in cream of mushroom soup, half to 3/4 can milk, salt & pepper, dash of worchestire, extra mushrooms, serve over rice.
Green Beans
Spring Salad


Thursday

Leftovers

Friday

Dinner Out

Saturday

Church Picnic & Egg Hunt

Sunday

Easter at my Mom's


I'm linking up & sharing menu ideas at Menu Plan Monday! What's on your menu this week?

It's Getting So Close! 37 Weeks

This has been an awesome weekend, except for the fact that my laptop got a nasty virus!! After spending a small fortune on the Geek Squad for them to diagnose the issue and repair it, I found my original purchase receipt showing this laptop was less than a yr old!! I took my laptop back up there and got a refund on the new hard drive they had put in and now Toshiba will be the one replacing the hard drive. Problem is, I'm without it now for 2-3 weeks!! Couldn't be worse timing with the baby due in less than 3 weeks. I had big plans of finishing the download of all my photos off my camera & phone, working on accounting stuff for my other job, and browsing Etsy for the nursery wall decor. :( For now I am using my hubby's Ipad but
it's not so easy to type on and not the best for browsing and saving photos, at least to me.
Anyway, it's extremely annoying to this already easily annoyed pregnant lady!!

On another note, the nursery is coming along! Kevin painted the baby's room on Sat and I am so happy with how the color turned out! My bedding also came in and we got the crib all cleaned up & put together. With the bedding on and the wall painted it looks adorable, I just need the baby :) And some wall art and a few shelves. But, I feel good the biggest part is complete! I took a few pictures but blogger and the Ipad are not working together nicely so I can't get them up. I will try & get those uploaded soon!


We also got the bassinet out of the attic and washed & put together. The car seat is in the garage waiting to be installed. I had my oil changed and car washed & vacuumed. We moved the girls seats around to make room for the carrier in the 2nd row and moved Keira to the back row. Never thought I'd be a minivan momma but I am so happy we got the Odyssey, it will be a lifesaver with 3 kids!!!!

My Dr appt last Wed went well. No weight gain for the week but I was 1 cm dilated. I'll take that! Also my Group B Strep was negative so that's one less thing to worry about. She asked if I was ready to schedule anything but I told her since I'm feeling ok that I just want to keep trucking along and hopefully he comes on his own! I wouldn't mind him coming a week or two early though!

It's getting harder to sleep and I'm starting to run out of steam to finish the projects I have going. I have had a lot of BH contractions today and feel like he has dropped some. I'm hoping when I go in on Thursday that I will be at 2 cm dilation!! With this Sunday being Easter, part of me is hoping he stays put so we can enjoy it with the girls. However, Sunday is also my dad's birthday so I think it would be kind of cool if he came then :) We shall see!

We are all so excited to meet this little boy. I love how my husband asks me daily if I think today is the day and the girls have been putting their baby dolls in the baby swing, bouncer & crib :) They are getting some good big sister practice! Callie calls him "baby brudder" and she and Keira both can't wait to hold him and help mommy. I'm anxiously waiting!!