Slacker (and the Meal Plan Monday)

So...I have been slacking lately. This is pretty obvious, since my last blog was 10/7. I've got to figure out how to work blogging into life -- we just seem so busy lately! We have been having a great time so far this fall. The weather has cooled down and it actually feels like FALL, which is rare here in Alabama! Last night I had to make a late-night run outside to the car, and when I came back in I said, "BRR, it's really cold out there! I'm not used to that anymore!" and Michael was like...."Yep, it's good to not be used to the cold, it's when that's normal that it's miserable." Which is totally true. After living in England for 2 years (and he for 4) cold was the norm and it was NOT good! It did teach me a few things, though. No longer do I mind going out in wind or rain -- because if you had minded that in England, you never would have gotten outside! No matter how cold it is, though, I still miss it.

So onward! Menu Plan Monday. This one is a little crazy because I'm trying to eat all of our perishables up before we leave on vacation this weekend. We are going to Tennessee for 5 days with my in-laws. I am looking forward to it, it will be the first time Michael has seen his aunt in 2 years and the FIRST time she has EVER met Sara!

Monday: fresh vegetables (salad, carrots, cucumber, celery, broccoli, etc.) and grapes
Tuesday: WW grilled drumsticks, steamed broccoli, mac & cheese
Wednesday: bean & cheese quesadillas, tortilla chips & salsa
Thursday: chili rubbed pork chops, broccoli slaw, corn
Friday: leftovers/clean out the fridge

Mike has (gasp) asked me to go meatless a few nights a week, so this is my (feeble) attempt at doing so. It's a hard week to start this, as we're leaving Saturday morning and I don't want to leave anything behind that's going to go bad in the next week or so. I just have to say that these grilled drumsticks are the BEST, and so easy to cook! Also, I don't know about your Publix, but ours has had these little bags of "Eat Smart" veggies on sale every week for $1/bag, saving $1.50/bag. I've picked up 4 or 5 every time I go in there and just freeze them.

I'm still on the hunt for more good WW recipes, so please share if you have any!

I'm pretty sure I hear a certain little girl waking up, so I have to close this for now. I hope ya'll have an awesome Monday!

Weight Watchers

Has anyone ever done WW before? I just signed up online and will be doing the classes soon...just wondering if anyone had any tips to share!

Our meal plan has pretty much gone out the window this week. Monday we ate out, Tuesday we had chicken pot pie, and tonight we ate out. Oops. Then I realized we'll be gone Saturday and Sunday to my moms...I NEVER eat well there. I will have to keep myself in check! I just made a new meal plan with mostly WW recipes...it's not much different than the last one.

My first "official" weigh in will be Monday...I'll let you guys know how it goes!

If you want to get to the rainbow, you've got to endure the rain.

That's a pretty true statement, isn't it? For the past few weeks I have been in the worst place in my life. Spiritually, physically, emotionally, you name it. I always feel like I'm trying to get out of it but I wonder if I am truly putting forth enough effort. I have been so down and out about our situation with trying for another baby that I just have sank deeper and deeper into this self-pityness that I have created. I think what's hardest for me is that I always pictured myself having a big family -- like 6 or 7 kids -- and now that might not be a reality and I'm having a hard time changing my "wants" to fit with what could be God's plan. I have really been praying about it this weekend and there are a few phrases/Scripture verses that I have come across (with the one above being one of the best) that have really been working on me.

Then last night I was reading the Kelly's Korner blog (for those of you who don't follow her blog -- she and her husband endured infertility, miscarriage, etc. before finally being blessed with their beautiful baby girl) and she has a separate blog for prayer requests. I read through those prayer request and I didn't even make it past the VERY FIRST ONE before I broke down. The first prayer request was for a family who had been praying for a baby for 18 YEARS. And here I am, with one healthy child and with only a year of trying and four miscarriages to account for. I am reminded of my mama telling me growing up, "Never feel sorry for yourself, because there is ALWAYS someone out there who has it worse than you."

I feel much better today than I have in the past six months, so hopefully (prayerfully) I am coming out of it. I am spending a lot of time in prayer and reading the Scripture for encouragement. Because I know God promised a rainbow at the end of the rainstorm.


"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

It has been a while...

I am hoping to get back into the swing of things shortly! Life has been busy, and I have been fighting personal battles as well. But, I know my Father has a hand in it all, and soon I will come out of the valley and rejoice on the mountain top.

We just celebrated Sara's SECOND birthday last week. I don't know where the time has gone. This has certainly been the fastest two years of my life! She is such a joy and we are so blessed to be her parents. She is the sweetest thing, but there are definitely times where her temper (that she inherited from her mama, I'm afraid) shines through! I will be posting pictures tomorrow. :)

Here is our menu plan for the week! Last week we got a bit lax, but we're back on the bandwagon again.



Monday: chicken pot pie
Tuesday: grilled drumsticks (Weight Watchers recipe), steamed broccoli and cauliflower, and rice
Wednesday: hamburger helper
Thursday: made from scratch waffles
Friday: chili rubbed pork chops (another WW recipe), broccoli slaw, and corn
Saturday: birthday party
Sunday: at my mom's

I'm trying to incorporate more Weight Watchers recipes into our meal plans, yet still keep some of Michael's favorites -- ie, the Hamburger Helper.

So, what's for dinner at your house?