Monday Mess

It currently looks like a toy store exploded in my living room. I may get out from under the mess eventually. For now, I leave you with Christmas in Photos.

Early Christmas Present

Welcome to our family, Snoopy!

10 on Tuesday

1. Still debating on cookie baking this year. Usually I bake tons of cookies. This year I'm just not feeling it. If it happens, it happens. If not, I'm not going to worry about it.

2. I have had kids who don't belong to me staying the night for the past 3 nights. No one is staying tonight. Don't get me wrong, they have been very well behaved. I'm just over all the noise.

3. I HAVE to go to IKEA. They have a wooden train set that I planned on getting Elek for Christmas. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

4. My hair is falling out and has been for quite some time. I officially have a bald spot. I always have a ponytail in my hair because it somewhat hides the bald spot. I'm thinking it may be time for a hairpiece or a wig. For the most part the whole balding thing doesn't bother me because seriously, what am I going to do about it. Other times it gets to me and I have a good cry.

5. My Christmas cards have been addressed for weeks. They still are not mailed. I still don't have stamps. Must get on this.

6. I only have 4 more presents to wrap!!!! Yippee!!!!

7. I want a kitchen cleaning elf for Christmas.

8. My house smells amazing. Loving this scent from Bath and Body Works.

9. Grocery shopping cannot wait any longer. My children are complaining that there is nothing to eat, even though I see plenty of things.

10. I need to start planning a certain little man's 3rd birthday. Can't believe he'll be 3 on January 2. Time flies.

why i have loved my job for the last six years

Today was my last day at work. While I am excited to be staying home with Elek, I am also going to miss my 500 other kids like crazy. It has been such a blessing and priviledge to have been "Miss Kelly" these past 6 years. I am an extremely lucky girl.

Wordless Wednesday

Menu Plan Monday

MONDAY-
Cheesesteaks

TUESDAY-
Chicken and Noodles

WEDNESDAY-
Chili

THURSDAY-
Cheeseburger Casserole

FRIDAY-
Pizza

SATURDAY-
Tater Tot Casserole

SUNDAY-
Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

Monday, Monday

I just don't feel like putting a menu plan together for the week right now. So guess what? I'm not going to!

I woke up with hives on my face. I wish I knew what caused them They are highly irritating and itchy.

I've got some of my Christmas decorating done. Most of the light are up outside and I have 1 tree up. 2 trees to go. Possibly 3 if I can talk Michael into buying the pink tree I saw last week. Would be perfect for Maddy's room. Now if I could keep Hurricane Elek out of them. Sigh.


I need to go put dinner in the crock pot, but I don't want to do that either. That I HAVE to do though.

Elek is rapidly becoming the time-out king. He is constantly into something. He wears me out.

I suppose that's all for now. I have lots to do around here before I head to work.

Wordless Wednesday

Top 10 Tuesday - Top Messes Elek Has Made Recently

1. Dumped an entire box of 500 q-tips all over the bathroom and hallway.

2. Took the crackers I gave him and proceeded to run them over with Hot Wheels.

3. Stabbed a Hostess Cupcake with a Capri Sun straw.

4. Squirted Mike's shaving cream all over the bathroom sink.

5. Dumped a bowl of Goldfish Crackers and stomped them.

6. Got into one of Maddy's board games and threw the cards EVERYWHERE.

7. Emptied the bottom 2 drawers of his dresser.

8. Squirted shampoo all over the bathtub.

9. Dumped a basket of clean, folded laundry.

10. Painted my mom's antique hutch with white out.

Menu Plan Monday

MONDAY:
Chicken Lemon Rice per request of Ian

TUESDAY:
Chicken Cordon Bleu

WEDNESDAY:
Lasagna

THURSDAY:
Rice-a-Roni Meatballs

FRIDAY:
Order Pizza

SATURDAY:
Pasta and Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter

SUNDAY:
Tennessee Meatloaf

right now

Outside my window... it's crazy foggy.

I am thinking... that i don't want to go to work today.

I am thankful for... my ugg boots. my feet are warm for a change.

I am wearing...black sweatpants, gray t-shirt, socks and my ugg boots.

I am remembering...my grandma and missing her like crazy.

I am going... to run away from home. i need a vacation.

I am reading...the a book that i bought the other day and can't remember the title.

I am hoping... that mike and i can go out to dinner tonight.

On my mind... i really want to put my christmas tree up.

Noticing that... it's time to get up and get moving!

Pondering these words...Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own.

From the kitchen...i need to make some cupcakes.

Around the house... are lots of piles of elek's messes. i can't keep up with him.

One of my favorite things ~serendipity!

Christmas Card

Count Your Blessings Christmas 5x7 folded card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for my most fabulous camera.

2. My best friend, Jen.

3. Very thankful that Michael cleaned the kitchen after dinner last night.

4. There really hasn't been 1 morning of whining about not wanting to go to school from Mad or Ian since school started. In fact, Ian woke up last Thursday barking with croup and still got in the shower and begged me to let him go to school. I didn't let him and he was actually mad at me.
(Taken this morning before school)

5. Today I'm especially thankful for all the Veterans who have defended our country.

Wordless Wednesday

smile saturday

Top 10 Tuesday - 10 Favorite Photos From October

Menu Plan Monday

MONDAY - Order Pizza Mom's got cramps.

TUESDAY - Beef Stew in the crockpot (I never made it last week)

WEDNESDAY - Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

THURSDAY - Macaroni and Cheese

FRIDAY - Ranch Cheeseburgers

SATURDAY - Pepperoni Rolls

SUNDAY - White Bean Chicken Chili

Menu Plan Monday

So I've decided that I am going to start posting my menu plan for the week on Mondays. I don't always stick to my plan, but I'm going to start really trying to.
Here are my reasons to stick to my menu plan.

1.I never have to come up with a last minute meal idea off the top of my head.
2.Our meals are for the most part healthier and well balanced.
3.I always have the ingredients in the house for whatever I’m making because I make up my menu plan before going grocery shopping.
4.I always know what meat to take out of the freezer the night before.
5.I save money by not buying groceries I don’t end up using.
6.I save money by planning my weekly menu around what is on sale that particular week.
7.I save time by planning quick and easy meals (especially crockpot meals which can be prepared in the morning when I’m not rushed and have more energy).
8.My kids and husband enjoy knowing in advance what is for dinner.
9.Helps me to avoid last minute unhealthy desperation meals.
10.I don’t have to spend any more time in the kitchen than is absolutely necessary.
11.Knowing in advance what is coming up allows me to often prep one meal while making another, saving me even more time.
12.Dinner is organized and on the table at the same time every night.
13.It gives me something to blog about every Monday :)


Here is my plan for this week:

MONDAY
Cheeseburger Casserole

TUESDAY
Beef Stew

WEDNESDAY
Chicken Lemon Rice Soup

THURSDAY
Pasta with Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter

FRIDAY
Order out for Pizza

SATURDAY
Meatballs

SUNDAY
Chicken Tacos

Top 4 Tuesday - 4 Favorite Books

Changing things up a bit this week. Instead of a Top 10, it's only going to be Top 4. Simply because I'm tired and stressed out.


1. Women's Devotional Bible
I honestly found it at a local thrift shop for $1.00. This is one of my favorite Bibles. If you're looking to study the Bible in a year, grab this one and off you go! I use this Bible as a pick-me-up whenever I've had a rough day. Somehow, I find a devotional that applies to the situation and also, one that highlights what may have happened that day. It's a definite must in today's world, trust me!


2. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
I have read this book 23 times. Every year since I was 11. I never get tired of it. Saying this book is very good is an understatement. The author makes the characters seem so real and unpretentious. Life for Francie doesn't always have a happy ending which is very relatable if you want a book that captures the essence of life.


3. Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life
Reading this book makes me want to meet Amy Rosenthal. I want to take her to lunch and discuss the restaurant's decor, menu offerings, table placement and cloth napkins vs. paper napkins, all in alphabetical order. She has changed the way I look at and categorize my own life, opinions, experiences and even emotions.


4. The Catcher In The Rye
I can't even begin to summarize this book. My all time favorite.

Saturday Six - Faith

My friend, Jen, asked me if I would take her daughter's senior pictures. I have never done anything like this. I usually just take pics of my family, so I was incredibly nervous. I think they turned out fairly well.

Top 10 Tuesday - 10 Places I Want To Visit

1. Hungary

I really want to see where my people are from.

2. Paris

I was supposed to go here on my senior trip way back in 1994. Unfortunately my french teacher's (who was our chaperone) husband had to have a quadruple bypass. :(

3. Ice Hotel in Iceland


4. Moscow

A few years ago I read a book about a missionary in Moscow. I have wanted to go ever since. Also, the buildings are seriously amazing.

5. Maine


6. Tree House Hotel in Oregon

7. Northern Lights in Norway


8. Thailand

My dad was stationed in Thailand when he was in the Air Force. When I was a kid I remember looking at the photos and random things he had brought back and I knew that one day I needed to go there.

9. Sydney, Australia


10. Hawaii

Can you tell I have a slight thing for beaches and water?