Mikaela is 6!!

I can not believe I did not post Mikaela's cake on here. I spent all day making this cake. But man'o man was it worth it. I went to the store to get the cake mix. Yes, a mix, I was just too tired from football on Saturday to do it from scratch. Then had to go back because I thought I had eggs, and it turned out I did not. Then I ran out of red food coloring to make the pink frosting. I improvised. We had some strawberried in the freezer, and the juice from those worked like a charm. She was so excited. After all that, I forgot to take a picture of her with the cake. Then the next day, Jaylem preheated the oven with the cake in it and melted all the frosting off of it. Good think we had removed the doll! It was fun and she loved it. I scored some major cool points on that day. She said I was the best mommy ever.

"Her children arise up and call her blessed" Proverbs 31:28

Should we be worried?

Did I hear correctly? It's either the bail-out plan or the next great depression? History has shown us that a depression in the great ole U.S of A can definitely happen. However, is it cause for concern? You betcha, if your faith is in living a cushy american lifestyle. You know the one we are all use to living.... fully stocked refrigerators and in some cases freezers, satellite Tv and radio, ITune accounts, etc. If our president is correct, then these things will no longer be so easy to come by. Times are hard for most Americans, today. Gas prices are rising, food prices are rising, insurance rates are astronomical. But we who believe have a refuge. We are not to be in awe of the things of this world. We are far more important to God than the lilies in the fields. So we have nothing to worry about. He never promised us mansions, Escalades, and caviar. But he did promise that he would provide. So, we may have to eat beans and rice a few times next month. Grab an old tablecloth out of the linen closet, put it on the table under those plates of beans and rice, and then thank God for his bountiful blessings. Life is as bad as we envision it. We can be examples to our children through these hard times. Instead of complaining about potatoes for lunch again, turn them into potato wedges with sour cream dip. We will have to be creative, but it is doable. I will be posting a few cheap and easy recipes in the coming days.



I bought grocery for the month for $450 yesterday for my family of 7. It takes a little planning, but it can happen. Here is a copy of my menu for the month for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. A little warning.... our snacks are from scratch, but they are definitely not of the health food variety. I cook dinner every two days (MWF) and then on Sunday. Not because it is cheaper to do that, but because I hate having to cook everyday. So on Tues, Thurs, & Saturday we have leftovers from the previous day.

Breakfast & lunch are the same each week. My kids like it that way, so since it ain't broke....
Breakfast
1. pancakes & fruit or fruit juice
2. waffles & fruit or fruit juice
3. grits & eggs
4. muffins & fruit or fruit juice
5. cinnamon rolls or cinnamon biscuits
6. sausage, egg & cheese biscuits
7. oatmeal
Sometimes we just have cereal or granola

Lunch
1. sloppy joe & tator tots
2. chicken strips & raw veggies or fruit with dip
3. tacos
4. grilled cheese or PB&J & pudding or yogurt
5. pizza
6. potato soup
7. cheeseburger or pizza pockets

Snacks
1. trail mix
2. cookies
3. yogurt w/ fruit
4. smoothies or milkshakes
5. fruit
6. brownies
7. popcorn
8. ice cream sandwiches

Dinner (this changes monthly, some meals are served every month)
2 day meals
1. spaghetti ,garlic bread
2. shredded beef, kale, yellow rice & rolls
3. smothered beef patties, greenbeans, white rice, rolls
4. hamburgers & fries
5. fish, baked white or sweet potatoes, steamed veggies
6. chicken & yellow rice, greenbeans, rolls
7. grilled chicken, baked beans, potato salad
8. roasted chicken, mac & cheese, broccoli, rolls
9. fettuccine alfredo (chicken), garlic bread
10. turkey, mac & cheese, salad
11. fried chicken, corn on cob, biscuits
12. meatloaf, potatoes, broccoli, rolls

1 day meals (Sunday)
1. breakfast food
2. shepherd's pie, corn
3. beefaroni, corn

This month I did have 3 whole chickens and a chunk of beef brisket for the shredded beef already in the freezer. They were left over from last month, since we went out on our anniversary and when my husband's best friend was in town. I buy whole chickens at all times. They are cheaper. I do purchase the bags of skinless/boneless frozen chicken breasts for chicken strips and alfredo. I cut potatoes for fries for two reasons: it's cheaper and they taste better. We even leave the skin on.

They just opened an Aldi's here, and even though I have to bag my own grocery with my own bags and pay a quarter (refunded) for a basket, it is really cheap to stock up on your pantry staples. Like sugar; the 5# bag is only $1.89, and baking powder is only $0.89.

I also did not have to buy any white rice or brown sugar. God always provides. My mother-in-law gave me a 50# bag of brown sugar and two 10# bags of rice. I thank God that He had her think of us.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

Getting it all done

Is that even possible? My house is a total mess. School is getting done, but almost nothing else is. We had McDonald's for dinner tonight! That is so not my style. We are not a fast food family. What am I doing wrong? When I was pregnant, school got done, housework and laundry got done, and dinner was done; all before 5pm so that we could run to football practice 3 days a week. Now, I can hardly get school complete and clean the bathroom before football practice.

I need to get some semblance of order in my home. Stay tuned to what, when and how I am going to accomplish this. I am certainly going to have to do some major praying.





"I can do all things through Christ which strentheneth me." Philippians 4:13

School has begun!

It's been a long time since I have submitted an entry here. I have been so busy, that my computer hardly comes on unless I need to print a worksheet. School started on 9/2 and the kids have been doing a great job. I would like to see Jaylem a little bit more motivated to do a good job, though. He seems to be ok with just doing ok, but I know he can do an exceptional job; he just won't put forth the effort. Savion, is Savion. He loves to make A's. He would prefer not to do school at all, but since he HAS to, then he tries to make sure he makes an A. Mikaela just wants to play with Play-doh. She likes to sit and do work with me, but she would rather play. Mekhi is having the time of his life. I made some activity boxes/bags for him to use while we are doing school, and he thinks they are the best thing since sliced bread. Basically, I just purchased some rubbermaid shoebox-like boxes and a box of zipper storage bags, and put one activity in each one. Here are a few that I put together:



1. watercolor and paper

2. flashlight and cardboard shapes

3. safety scissors, glue stick and paper

4. stamps, ink pads, and paper (stamps & pads at Joann's in the $1 bins)

5. black construction paper and colored chalk

6. empty tissue rolls and toy cars

7. play-doh and cookie cutters





It was fun putting them together and it is even more fun watching him enjoy them so much.



Wonder what Darion is doing all day? Getting into everything!!! He is scoot-crawling right now and he has realized that he can pull and push things. This little boy has the longest attention span in the world. Most babies can be distracted, but not Darion. He goes right back to what he was trying to do. He is one determined little guy. That trait will serve him well when he is a man.



Well, my little man is needing me.



"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed , do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 4:17