Moving on up

The past few days and weeks have been a whirlwind. My life has been consumed with boxes, frozen tater tots, and a disheveled feeling. In the end though it's completely worth it because we're now home owners. This week we took on the new challenge of closing on a house and moving. Things are beginning to find their place, and the house is taking on the feeling of home quickly :)

We had been renters for 4 years in a small house with a soap box for a kitchen. I now have a kitchen with cabinets that remain empty and a dishwasher (insert tears of joy here)!

As I cleaned the rental house today I did let emotions (or hormones) get the best of me as I reflected on the great memories we had made there. I mean it was the house where we started our family and celebrated our first Christmas (sniff, sniff). I'm letting go though. I'm looking forward to the new memories, the new traditions, and the new family members that will join us in this home.

This is a new phase and adventure in our life, and I'm thankful for it.
Check out what new adventures others are trying over at Alicia's Homemaking.

Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter Super Doubles starts tomorrow 9/15. It should run through 9/21.

Date Night

Aren't children wonderful? Their innocent smiles, their silly laughs, their babbling as they're learning to talk, their whining, their constant need for attention...hmm, wait a minute. Yes, a child is one of the greatest blessings I've been given, but there is also something wonderful about time away! Tonight is one of those times. It's the glorious night known as date night! Going to a nicer restaurant without having to tear food apart into bite size pieces and without the looming fear that my child will have a "moment" that will get us dirty looks from neighboring diners is certainly a finer thing. Time alone together without uninterrupted conversation is crucial for every marriage. It doesn't come often enough, but it is always cherished. Maybe the best thing about date night is that you come home refreshed and eager to hug those little ones that make you appreciate date night to begin with. That's the finer thing I'm enjoying today. What's yours?

Menu Planning

Each week I'm reminded of my love/hate relationship with menu planning. The organizer side of me loves to have a plan. The lazy side of me votes for ordering pizza every day. I then remind myself that would not be frugal or kind to my figure (and I need all the kindness I can get). I love the search for new recipes and knowing each day what's on the menu, but it can become a chore to do it each week especially when you get in a funk and can't think of anything to cook. For this reason I have decided to try a new method. With a little extra up front planning, I've put together a month's worth of meals (4 different weekly menu plans). I then plan to recycle these menus over the next few months with some flexibility built in. My hopes are that this will save me time each week.

I started with a theme for each night of the week and then added 4 dishes to each category. I had never planned around themes before, but I found it to be a cinch! I had my husband tell me what things he would like to see on the menu as well. I left a few blanks for new recipes that come up or unexpected dinners out.

There is a drawback, because I'll have things planned for the month, I won't necessarily be planning around the weekly sales. I don't think this will dramatically impact our grocery budget though because honestly with being back to teaching, I haven't been keeping up with it that much. I'll still check the sales for other items and can match up side dishes with what's on sale.

So here's a peak at our menu. Notice that meat has made a comeback? We're starting to have it 2-3 times a week now. Here's to having a plan!
I would love to hear if any of you have tried planning this way and how it has worked for your family.

Week 1:
Monday-Blackbean & corn quesadillas with spanish rice
Tuesday-Stuffed peppers, Italian corn
Wednesday-Chicken & vegetable paella
Thursday-Breakfast for dinner
Friday-Meatloaf, veggies, corn casserole
Saturday-zesty black bean soup
Sunday-Turkey burgers

Week 2:
Monday-Southwest rollups
Tuesday-Spaghetti, salad
Wednesday-Skillet chicken, brown sugar carrots
Thursday-Salad and baked potatoes
Friday-Slow cooker applesauce chicken, butternut squash, broccoli
Saturday-taco soup
Sunday-Grilled veggie sandwiches

Week 3:
Monday-black-bean salads
Tuesday-Homemade pizza
Wednesday-zucchini and squash bake, veggies
Thursday-Crockpot Italian chicken, green beans, potatoes
Friday-Parmesan chicken, salad
Saturday-Cheddar and vegetable soup
Sunday-BLT, fruit

Week 4:
Monday-Southwest black bean pasta
Tuesday-Sloppy lentil sandwiches, salad
Wednesday-?
Thursday-Vegetable stir fry, ambrosia salad
Friday-?
Saturday-Fiesta chicken soup
Sunday- Egg salad sandwiches, chips, raw veggies

Labor Day Link Up

Labor Day Link Up

Happy Labor Day

I was due with our first little boy on May 14. On April 30 I had been feeling what I thought to be more braxton hicks contractions than usual. The feelings continued and in the back of mind I kept thinking, "what if this is it?" At my doctor's appointment that week I had only been slightly dilated, and I had heard from many people that with your first baby it's less likely to give birth early, so I went to bed thinking tomorrow would be another normal day. It was supposed to be my last day of teaching before starting my maternity leave.

Around 3 am I woke up for my regular middle of the night bathroom break. Only this time it wouldn't be so normal. When I sat up, I felt a sudden stream of water. I wondered if I had wet my pants! How embarrassing I thought. As I shook off my sleepiness and went to the bathroom I knew by the looks of things that my water had broken. I was suddenly filled with excitement. I went to the living room wondering what I should do. I sat for a while, prayed, got giddy, and then remembered that the doctor said to call when my water broke. After talking to the doctor, my husband who had still been sleeping emerged from the bedroom wondering who I was talking to. I had decided not to wake him because I wanted him to get his sleep and be rested for what lie ahead. We then decided to go back to sleep. For a woman who's water just broke, and she knows she's going to be having a baby that day, sleep was not so easy. My adrenaline had already started pumping. That next morning I wasn't feeling any notable contractions. We went walking in hopes of getting things going. After talking with the doctor more, she wanted us to come in around 1:00 that afternoon. I realized that I didn't have any nursing bras, and I insisted that we go shopping and to Chick-fil-a. We checked into the hospital at 2:00.

They got me ready with the mandatory saline lock. This was almost worse than the labor. They couldn't find a suitable vein and had to stick me a lot. My contractions were still weak and far apart, so Luke and I went to walking. My contractions would become stronger as we walked but would slow back down each time I had to be checked. The talk started turning to pitocin, which I didn't want. We told the doctor that we wanted to wait, so the power-walking continued. I'm sure we tracked several miles before the night was over. Around 6pm, with little progress still being made, the doctor felt that it was time for pitocin. We decided to go ahead with it, and I soon was feeling the uncomfortable labor. I had to have a fetal heart monitor on, but thankfully we were able to continue walking. When the contractions intensified, I spent most of the time on the birth ball. My husband was great at supporting me and encouraging me through the contractions. I found that the thing that helped me cope with and focus was to hum hymns. Our birth instructor had told us that each woman finds their own pain management once they are in labor, and that was mine. As my body started to go through transition, I felt nauseous and then threw up. I had started feeling more pressure in the lowest part of my back. My nurse asked me if I felt the need to push, but I really didn't know. She walked out, and I had a major contraction, she walked back in a minute later, and said "by the looks of that contraction, you're ready."

I got situated in the bed and did my first pushing. I had not realized how hard and exhausting pushing would be. My nurse left us to go get my doctor. She told Luke and I that with the next contraction I should go ahead and push. We laughed to ourselves that we had to do this alone. Luke took on the role as doctor and counted me through the next contractions. With the doctor in place, the pushing continued. I pushed over the course of 50 minutes. As Nathan crowned I experienced pain like never before. I know understood why it is called, "the ring of fire" Crazy! At 11:50 on May 1 every second of pain became worth it as Nathan was placed in my arms. My heart expanded to an understanding of love I had not yet known.

Because of some tearing the doctor sewed me up. This was my least favorite part of the whole birth. After that, they cleaned Nathan up in our room and did all the necessary checks on the baby. We then had our first time alone together as a family...awesome!

In the end, I was so thankful for how everything happened. I amazed myself at coping with the contractions and managing the pain without an epidural (thank you God). I did however learn a couple of things.
1. God has created our bodies to do this amazingly beautiful thing
2. If my water breaks with the next pregnancy, I will wait to call my doctor and will wait to go into the hospital until I'm further along.
3. My husband is my best labor coach!

I would love to read your birth stories. You can link up over at Amy's Finer Things.

Nathan Luke Stevenson
May 1, 2009
6lbs. 9 0z.

The many hats we wear

Tonight my son, Nathan, reminded me once again that as a mom, you wear many hats. My hat tonight was throw up cleaner upper. This would not seem like a big deal and not terribly disgusting had it been HIS throw up. Instead, it was the throw up of a perfect stranger that my son found in a small spot on the floor of a shoe store. Oh the joys! I know there will be many more disgusting moments in my future as a mom to a curious little boy. Despite the gross factor, it's all worth it because it's all these moments put together that make me stronger as a mother. Each hat that we wear whether it be chauffeur, boo-boo kisser, diaper changer, cook, janitor, and yes, even throw up cleaner upper, it's all done out of love, and the job comes with many perks. So, what hat are you wearing today?

Homemade Yogurt

I've had it on my list of "new things I would like to try" for awhile, and I finally can check it off...making homemade yogurt that is. I only went about it because I found this very easy recipe that uses a crockpot. Yes, that's right, a crockpot. It's a long process, but not complicated. My yogurt wasn't as thick as I like it, so I think I'm going to follow Alicia's suggestion and strain it next time to separate the whey. I also will add some flavor and sweetener in the process. I find the taste of plain yogurt too disgusting. I've been doctoring it up with vanilla and fruit, but I guess all these years of buying yoplait has spoiled me into thinking yogurt needs to taste like candy :) Overall though I like being able to make my own yogurt, and I'm sure it's more cost efficient. Because of the time it takes, I probably will end up doing it once a month. Here's the original recipe I followed. As you see in the picture, I ended up with about 8 cups of yogurt! I think this will be less if I strain it next time. Don't be intimidated by yogurt making, give it a try!

Green Goodness!

I had heard of green smoothies before but was a little reluctant to give it a try. Maybe it was the idea that spinach or swiss chard would ruin the sweetness that I love about smoothies. I like spinach, I like smoothies, but I didn't like the idea of them together. Now that I have made them I can sum up my thoughts with one word...YUM! They are every bit as good as "normal" smoothies only these are packed with the punch of more vitamins and nutrients from the greens. I made a basic strawberry and banana with spinach, and a little sugar. I can't wait to experiment with other fruits and greens. Another plus is that Nathan liked it as much as I did.

A few recipes to get you started:
Green Slushy
Green Smoothie

Today's shopping trip

I ran into Harris Teeter this morning with Nathan in tow before heading to work. I hadn't seen a lot on the list of Harris Teeter deals that I needed, so I used only 3 coupons. The yogurt was free and the peanut butter was a money maker. In all I spent $2.95 for all 6 items, and that to me was a good deal. Kroger has some good deals this week with their Mega savings deals that I would recommend checking out.

Farewell Summer

While I feel that summer only just began, I find myself with less than a week before I have to jump back into the saddle as a working woman again (insert long and pitiful sigh here). As I prepare for school, I've been reflecting on the summer and evaluating my goals for the upcoming year. I accomplished all of my summer goals that I had shared in an earlier post with the exception of routinely running 3 miles (umm, maybe I'll put it on my goal list for this fall). In addition, I feel that I had a great summer relishing in the daily discoveries that Nathan makes, watching his personality emerge, having lunch dates with my husband, making jam, sleeping in, spending time at the beach, and reading. Of course I know many of these things don't have to end just because I go back to work, but they just seem even better in the summer.

One of the things I will miss the most is having more freedom and time to read. I've made it my goal to read at least one book per month when school begins. Here's a look at some of the non-fiction books I read this summer:

Kingdom Education: This was a required read for school, but I enjoyed it more than I thought. It speaks on the importance and role that the church, school, and family play in educating children. I may not agree with everything, but it really made me value Christian education more.

Baby Wise Second Edition for the Pre-toddler: I felt that I was already putting into practice most of the information in this book, but it was a good refresher about the importance of setting boundaries, keeping a routine, and such forth. It was a quick read that could be read within a few days.

Early Start Potty Training: I didn't read this book in its entirety, but got most of the general ideas and points. While it all sounds good, and I understand it and like the way it sounds in theory, I don't know at this point that I'm ready to embark into full potty training. I would possibly feel different if I were at home full time. I think at Nathan's age that I would like to start exposing him to the potty and lay the foundation to work towards it. I'm not completely sold though on the idea of infant potty-training.

A Woman After God's Own Heart: This is a book that I had read in college, but at the time much of the information was not relevant to my circumstances. In reading it again I have gained so much more from it. I gleaned so much from the practical points on my roles as a wife and mother. It has challenged me to serve and love my husband more intentionally. I also have an increased desire for growing in wisdom and memorizing scripture. This book has helped me realize my priorities as a woman. Some of the ideas seem "old-fashioned" but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Have you read any good books lately that you would recommend?

Old Navy Camis

Here's a pretty sweet deal going on at Old Navy. You can print this coupon or just say "Cami 4 me" at checkout while in the store. This deal is running 7/29-7/31.

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I love to cook, but I'm not that fond of baking. However, I love to eat baked goods :0 It may be the size of my kitchen, my clumsiness, my impatience but I always make a mess. I'm getting better though at being better organized and making counter space before I begin the baking. All that to say, I baked cookies today. Now cookies are usually pretty easy to whip up, so it was a pleasant baking experience. I tried a recipe that I think I had jotted down several years ago while rummaging through my grandma's larger than life recipe box. They are a white chocolate peanut butter cookie. It's got a light peanut butter flavor, but just enough. I used whole wheat flour so I was a little worried that they may not "set up" as well. On the contrary they formed and set perfectly. Add a cold glass of milk and you're in cookie bliss.

1 cup Peanut Butter
1/4 C. milk
1/2 C. vegetable shortening (I used butter flavored)
1 1/2 C. light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
2 C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 C. white Choc. morsels

Mix with a mixer the first 6 ingredients and set aside
sift flour, salt, and baking soda
Mix dry ingredients with moist
Stir in chocolate
place on ungreased sheet
bake 6-8 min. at 375 degrees
Makes about 3 dozen

Diaper deal

If you have a little one in diapers, Amazon may have a good deal for you. They have a large selection of diapers and wipes on sale. I often buy the Target box of 82 diapers for about $14 because it is usually cheaper than the sale price of name brands even with coupons. However, I went with this Amazon deal and came out with a better bargain. You can look at deal detector for the breakdown and what steps to take to get your deal. You may have to scroll down the page to find the post.

International Friends

The past few years Luke and I have wanted to participate in NC State's International Friendship Program, but due to procrastination we missed the sign up period. Not this year! I've already completed my applications. The program matches US residents with International students and asks that you get together at least once a month for a meal, coffee, bowling, etc. We've requested a married couple or young family and are looking forward to branching out and learning about another culture as well developing a relationship with them. Check out Alicia's blog to see what new things others are trying.

Harris Teeter Triples Rumor

I would like to apologize for helping to spread the rumor of Harris Teeter running triple coupons this week. My usually reliable source was not correct this time. Hopefully none of you were there early this morning. It could possibly be next week, but I'm not banking on it until I see it directly from the store.

Harris Teeter Triples!

Harris Teeter should be starting triple coupons on Wednesday July 21. You can look for coupon and sale match-ups over at Southern Savers maybe by this weekend.

Tasty Tuesday Dish

I have a great one for you today. I'm not even going to tell you much about it, just try it. It's called crescent zucchini pie, and it's delicious. With the abundance of summer squash and zucchini we already have on hand from our garden and the staple herbs we have in our pantry, it's pretty cheap to make. I used squash and zucchini.

Enjoying our children

I'm back from a 9 day vacation refreshed and relaxed. It was a restful time with family and friends, except for the 1 1/2 days of teething hell that fell in the middle of our week. By the grace of God it only lasted that long! I seriously went to my knees one afternoon asking for God's rest and relief for Nathan's pain, crying, and clinginess. Praise God for his help. Other than that, I enjoyed reading, tanning, napping, sitting in the surf, and being cut off from the internet and normal routines that usually take my attention away from my family. There really is something wonderful about feeling free to do nothing. Now I only need to muster up the motivation to get back on track and get things done.While on vacation, I had time to chew on some thoughts that have been simmering in my mind. One has to do with motherhood. I have to say that I never had really thought about what kind of mother I wanted to be when I had kids. I knew of course that I wanted to set an example of a woman who puts God first and loves them with a patient, passionate, deliberate kind of love. I hadn't thought of how I would handle the daily ins and outs of motherhood. In those early days of motherhood, I read several books about how to set a schedule and routine for your baby, how to make wholesome baby food, etc. I soon found myself a little stressed out (can you say hormones?) about trying to live up to a certain standard and do things the way the books were telling me. While, I have since loosened up a lot, I still have to remind myself often to stop and just enjoy being a mom. In the book I've been reading, A Woman After God's Own Heart, I was reminded of this. God wants us to delight in our children, not just raise them. We need to step back from our expectations of how they are to act, what they are to eat, when they are to develop each skill and simply enjoy God's most precious gift to us. If this means not reading books, blogs, and websites about raising kids, do it. While there is a wealth of information out there, it can sometimes be overwhelming and leave us second guessing everything that we do. I also feel that I've learned a valuable lesson : STOP criticizing how other moms do things and STOP comparing yourself to other moms. God has appointed YOU as the mother of your child. He knows that you are exactly what your precious one needs. Seek his counsel daily (He's way smarter than the authors of those books). I hope any moms that read this will be encouraged in your most privileged role. Now go, enjoy your little ones!

Walmart berries

During a quick trip into Walmart tonight with Luke and Nathan, we found a good deal on strawberries and blueberries. The strawberries were only $1.50 for a pound! The blueberries were $3 for 18oz. That's just barely cheaper than it cost for me to pick them at the berry farm. I like the idea of picking them locally, but I was happy to save some money and sweat. We picked up 3 lbs. of the strawberries to freeze for smoothies and desserts. Yum!