A nice hike

 Happy Thursday everyone! Today has been a beautiful, sunny day here. The kids have been on Spring Break all week. I had to work Monday, Tuesday and yesterday. Today and tomorrow I have off for a little break. Monday and Tuesday I was in meetings and trainings all day long. Yesterday, I spent time cleaning at our center. We cleaned out a shed and had another meeting. So glad to be off today. 

Today the weather was gorgeous. It was in the high 50's and the sun was out. So the kids and I went out on a long walk. We walked over 2 miles. It felt so good to be outside. 

Thank you for all the kind words on my last post. I am still not okay but the sunshine today helped. I have a quite busy weekend ahead. Then the craziness really picks up next week when it is back to school and work. 

Tonight, I am going to watch "Mufasa" with the kids. Ben loves anything to do with The Lion King, so he is looking forward to it. 

Until next time, I hope all is well with you! 

Stream of consciousness

Good evening everyone! I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. 

Just wanted to hop on here and put some thoughts down. I haven't really felt like writing. This was a long week. I don't know if it is writer's block, although I don't know that I would say that I was a writer. I don't know if it is because life is just overwhelming right now. 

Jacob has been sick off and on all week. On Friday he called me after school and said he had a fever and felt awful and could I come get him. I told him I would but it would be probably 45 minutes or so before I could get there as I was at work. I suggested he call his dad and ask him. Well, he did and his dad hung up on him. I am so angry over this but have to keep my mouth shut as I don't want to talk bad about their dad in front of the boys. 

Work has been busy, with the overlying stress of not knowing if we will have jobs next fall due to stuff going on in Washington. I will not make this a political blog, but just know that what is going on in Washington does affect the everyday person and it sucks. Friday was the last day with kids as they are on Spring Break next week. I don't really get Spring Break as I have to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I am grateful that we are off Thursday and Friday, but would have liked to have it all week. Oh well, be grateful I still have a job. 

I have been feeling off. I don't know. I feel alone in a lot of this and it is hard to put my thoughts into words that really express how I am feeling. 

I have failed at my Lenten resolutions. I gave up pop and Reeses. I have caved to both.

I did read a book this week, so there is that. I read Kristin Hannah's "The Nightingale." It was fabulous and I would highly recommend it. I am currently reading "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. 

Speaking of books, I will not be attending my monthly Book club this coming month, as the meeting falls on the same night as Ben's birthday.  Usually the boys' dad has Wednesday off but for some reason they gave him Friday off that week. We will celebrate his birthday that night. 

Speaking of birthdays we have  3 coming up in the next 2 weeks. Monday is my mom's birthday. My brother's birthday is on the 29th and then Ben's is on the 2nd. Can't believe he will be a teenager. 

I am getting old. 

Well, I need to go and flip the laundry. Because if there is one thing that doesn't change no matter what is that laundry will be a constant. 

Hope everyone has a nice night. Sorry for the downer of a post this was, but that is just where I am at right. now. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day and catching up!

Happy Monday and Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those who celebrate. I am part Irish (my Paternal Great-Grandparents immigrated from Ireland) so I wear green and maybe make a green dessert. I don't go all out as I am usually working, however NOT this year. I had a personal day today and have loved every minute of it! Before I get into that let's see what's been going on this past week....

Last I wrote, the boys were sick with the stomach bug. Well they got over that and just in time for Ben's choir concert on Tuesday night. The 7th and 8th grade choirs sounded great and I loved every minute of the concert. 

Life continued for normal for about a day until I became sick with the stomach bug and spent Wednesday night and most of Thursday too sick to move. That stomach bug was nasty. I never had a fever (although I woke up in sweat twice). But man did I ache and couldn't keep anything down. Finally Thursday night I started feeling a little better. Which was good because I went out to see the Lunar Eclispe that happened around 3AM.

I did work on Friday but man I ached. Thankfully, I am back to feeling pretty normal now. 

Rebecca, during all of this, avoided us like the plague. She had District OMEA Large Group competition on Friday and COULD not get sick. Thankfully she did not end up getting sick. Jacob and Rebecca and their high school Chorale went to district's, earned a 1 which is the highest score and now advance to the State Large Group competition! So Proud of those kids. I was sorry to miss districts, but it would have been a tight turn around to watch them perform and I was still not feeling well enough to go. Both Rebecca and Jacob said that they understood. 

We did end up watching "Moana 2" on Friday night which Ben loved. I give it a B. Music and graphics were good, but the storyline left lots of be desired. 

Rebecca and I were supposed to go shopping for prom dresses this weekend, but like many other areas in the Midwest, we were dealing with storms and rain so we postponed to next weekend. Instead, I did some laundry, and spent a ton of time in the kitchen making food for this week as our schedule is super busy and I need to cook more at home than what happened last week. I made a pasta bake that I froze for later this week, chicken enchiladas for tomorrow night's dinner, tuna salad, peanut butter cookies, a green vanilla Bundt cake, and pulled a roast out for dinner tonight. 

Yesterday, I took a long nap. Laid down for what was supposed to be 20 minutes and ended up sleeping for over 2 hours. I guess my body needed it. I puttered around the house, folding laundry, etc. 

Today, like I mentioned I took a personal day from work. I took the kids to school. Went to Kroger to get au jus for the roast I am making today and they were all out except for the most expensive packet. I got it though as I needed it. Home to get roast in the crock pot and then it was off to spend the day. I got a massage! Ran to my lawyers to sign some papers (for the never ending divorce). Went to the bookstore. Went to Walmart. Went for a LONG walk in the sunshine. 

And now I am working on this post while I wait until it is time to put my mom hat back on and pick Ben up from track practice. It is almost time for me to leave so I will end this here. Hope everyone is having a good day! 

                            How have YOU been doing? Are you doing anything for St. Patrick's Day? 

Life....

 Happy tired Monday everyone! Did the time change affect you? It did me. I am exhausted today. Or it could be that the boys are sick (throwing up) and I didn't get much sleep last night. Or it's probably a combination of both. All I know is that I am exhausted. 

Sorry for the lack of posts the last 2 weeks. Just been busy with everyday stuff. When you have 3 kids, all very involved in different activities, time becomes sacred. 

Some of the things we've been up to here in our house include: 

Taking a walk on a somewhat warm day. There was one day before track started for Ben that he and I took a walk after I got home from work and before we had to pick his sister and brother up from play practice. 

Ben's been doing very well in therapy. His therapist agrees that we are going to start working on his anxiety as he scored a 57 on a test for anxiety where normal is 15. Ben has been enjoying wearing hoodies, as he has joined the middle school track team and they have to wear layers everyday. He has also enjoyed being silly. 

We helped my sister and sister-in-love move all their boxes into my parents' garage. They are trying to buy a house here in my town but they are staying with my parents in the meantime. 

I made homemade egg rolls for the first time ever. They were super yummy. 

We've had some pretty sunrises. 

Rebecca and Jacob had their "Music in the Schools"  March concert. The Chorale sounded AMAZING and they even got a standing ovation for their last song. They have a large group competition coming up this weekend. 

There have been the usual play practices for Rebecca and Jacob. Ben has had track each day after school. Jacob has had track when he is not at play practice. I have been working, not really knowing if I will have a job after this year due to the people in Washington making budget cuts and possibly cutting funding to Head Start. It is all a lot. Then throw in the day to day life of laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. and I don't have a whole lot of time left in my day. I think this meme from Facebook explains it clearly right now for my life: 

Well, I am off. I need to flip laundry (so thankful I got my laundry caught up on Saturday as the boys started puking yesterday). I also am going to head into work for about an hour to set things up for this week and then I have a doctors appointment. Then back home to care for the sick kiddos. Pray that they get over this quickly and Rebecca and I do not get it. 

What's up in your world recently? 

Happy Monday everyone! Another week is here. This weekend was busy again.... the story of my life.

 

Saturday, I took an all day class that focused on parenting a child with anxiety. All 3 of my kids (and myself) deal with anxiety so it was a very informative class and I am glad that I took it. 

When I got home, I took Rebecca and her best friend Felix out to Dollar Tree and to Fiesta Mexicana for dinner. I love being around my kids' friends. This child is like my 4th child. 

Sunday, I went to mass and taught PSR. Then it was off to my nephew's band concert. It was a good concert and since it is a small school district, it was a short concert. My nephew really is enjoying playing the saxophone. 

Now it is on to another week...I HAVE to get back to meal planning and following my plan. I need to lose some weight and am pondering that for Lent... we shall see. What I can start with is menu planning so let's see what is on the menu.....  

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What we ate this past week:

                                        

SUNDAY: Bratwurst, green beans and mac-n-cheese

MONDAY: Made bacon cheeseburger soup and rolls. Was a new recipe that was just okay. 

TUESDAY:: No picture, but crazy day meant McDonald's for dinner. 

WEDNESDAY: Homemade subs and pineapple (kids also had chips)

THURSDAY: Honestly, it was another McDonald's day. I got my once a year Shamrock shake. No picture again. 

FRIDAY: Pizza night from Dominos. They were having sale so I ordered. 

 

SATURDAY: Went out for Mexican with Rebecca and her best friend. 

It was an eating out heavy week. Sometimes weeks are like that. I need to reign it in though. Lent is coming up and I am contemplating eating out among other things. 

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What will we eat this week?:

Sunday: It was a fend for yourself kind of night. Ben and Jacob had mac-n-cheese. Rebecca had a 3 minute pizza. I had an egg sandwich. 

Monday: Crockpot Tex-Mex chicken and rice

Tuesday: General Tsao chicken in crockpot and rice

Wednesday: YOYO/ kids with dad

Thursday:  Chili and crackers

Friday: Pizza rolls and fruit

Saturday: The boys are with their father/ YOYO 

What are you eating this week? 

Five on Friday: It's been a busy week

 Happy Friday everyone! 

We made it to the weekend. 

And Wowser's it was a busy week! 

So today for Five on Friday I thought I would do a quick recap of the week:

1. Monday

This was President's Day and I was supposed to take Ben to get blood work done. However, Mother Nature had other plans. We got snow and ice on Sunday and Monday and we were under a Level 2 snow emergency for part of the day. Needless to say, we stayed home as the kids and I were all off work/school. We just hung out at home. I did some puttering around the house, did my Bible Study stuff, and just puttered. 

2. Tuesday

Today was COLD and LONG. At work, we had kids who have been acting CRAZY all week and then had to get ready for our art show which was the next day. Then I had an in-service meeting that I had to attend. Needless to say I felt behind all day and I had forgotten to put something in the Crockpot so I stopped at McDonald's on the way home. The kids were thrilled that I had gotten them McD's. 

3. Wednesday

Wednesday was another LONG day at work as we had our annual art show. It was well attended but again made for a long day as it was after class was over. The parents loved it though and that is what matters.  

4. Thursday

Yesterday, we had more snow! Enough to give a 2 hour delay for the kids. It was a crazy ride to work where I had to stop twice to use water to clean off my windshield as the spray from trucks made it impossible to see and my windshield wiper fluid sprayers were frozen. Not a good combination. It was an okay day at work. After work, I picked up my medicine at Walmart, picked up a Shamrock shake and dinner from McDonald's for me and after I ate, I went to Adoration at my church and my Bible Study. Again another long but good day.

5. Friday

Today was another 2 hour delay day for the kids. I am beginning to hate 2 hour delay days and the snow. Thankfully today my windshield washer fluid worked! It wasn't a super crazy day at work. It was still a long day though as I had to take Ben to counseling, pick up my Kroger order, had a Walmart order delivered, and am now writing up this post. Even Gronk is like, "Why haven't you been home all week?" 

Like I said it has been a long week. This weekend looks busy as well as I am taking an all day class tomorrow and on Sunday I want to go to my nephew's band concert. 

Oh well. Such is life! 

Thanks to Cathy from My Creative Life for hosting this link party each Friday! 

How has your week been? 

Busy, weather weekend and menu plan

Happy Monday everyone! Today is President's Day and the kids and I are off of school and work today. It feels so good not to have to go into work, although this is going to be a long, busy week at work. 

This weekend ended up being pretty busy as well. Saturday we woke up to ice and freezing rain. The boys ended up going to their dads for the day and Rebecca and I headed down to Athens, Ohio to Ohio University so that she could audition for their school of music. I will say the visit just felt weird. It is hard to explain, but even Rebecca felt like no one wanted to be there and that it was just a weird vibe. She thinks she did well at her audition though so that is what matters. 

When we left O.U,. we headed to their main shopping street and had dinner at Texas Roadhouse. It was a treat, but one that I decided to make as this was her last audition and now it is time to figure out which school will be a good fit for her. The food was amazing and we brought most of it home. All day long it poured rain, but thankfully it never froze. 

Yesterday, I woke up to more rain. Benjamin and I went to church and when we went into church it was starting to be a little freezing rain. An hour later we came out of church to heavy snow. We probably got around 4 inches yesterday morning. Yesterday was a simple at home day. I did some small organizing projects--- like cleaning out my recipe binder and my jewelry box. 

BEFORE--- loose pages, random recipes, etc. 

AFTER-- Recipes organized in groups. The pile on the left side went into recycling. 

I also did some laundry. I made the boys go outside to play as they needed to get some energy out and they haven't had a chance to play in the snow this year as it has been too cold or I wasn't home.   

Today, after I write this post I need to check to see if our snow emergency has been lifted. If it has, I will take Ben to get some blood work done. If not, then I will stay at home and do laundry and maybe read. I also need to get our dinner in the crockpot. Speaking of dinner, lets get on with seeing what I ate and what I will eat this week. Hopefully you can get some ideas from me.  

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What we ate this past week:

SUNDAY:: Homemade Chinese food at our Family dinner at my parents' house

                                        

MONDAY: Pasta Bake

TUESDAY: Soft Tacos

WEDNESDAY: Total girl dinner-- chicken salad on croissants

THURSDAY: Boys had Frozen pizza, I had more chicken salad and Rebecca was at a fundraiser where she had pancakes. 

FRIDAY: Valentine's Day-- Heart shaped chicken nuggets, green beans, pasta, sparkling grape apple juice

SATURDAY:: Rebecca and I went to Texas Roadhouse after her college audition. We took most of the food home. 

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What will we eat this week?:

Sunday: Bratwurst, green beans and macaroni and cheese

Monday: Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup and rolls

Tuesday: Nachos

Wednesday: Homemade subs, chips

Thursday: Kids are with their dad/ Y.O.Y.O-- probably another girl dinner 

Friday: Pizza rolls and fruit

Saturday: The boys are with their father/ YOYO 

What are you eating this week? 

Any ideas for quick or crockpot meals I can make since we are entering play and track season?