Simple Recipe: Chicken Florentine w/ Penne Pasta

It's been awhile since I shared a recipe and Keli at Feeding Four on $25 a Week is hosting What's Cooking Thursday's and thought I would join in!

I wish I had this phenomenal, one-of-a-kind recipe to share but I don't. It is a really tasty one though and easy too. It's Chicken Florentine w/ Penne Pasta. The secret is Kraft's Philly cooking cream, regular flavor. I'm sure I could come up with my own "cooking cream" but the prepared cream really did make it easy. Now I must confess that there was a recipe on the container similar to this but I put my own twist on it.

Ingredients

3 lg chicken breasts-diced

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 container Kraft cooking cream, regular flavor

1/2 cup of milk

1 tsp minced garlic

2 tsp Italian seasoning blend

1 small pckg of frozen spinach, thawed

1 cup of grape tomatoes, halved

3 cups cooked penne pasta

Shredded Mozzarella or Grated Parmesan (optional)

Directions

In large skillet saute' the chicken in the heated oil over medium high heat until browned. Drain spinach and press firmly in paper towel to release any excess water. Add spinach, cooking cream, milk, garlic, and seasoning blend to chicken until mixture bubbles. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional minute. Serve over prepared pasta. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.

This was sooo delicious. I can see myself making this one again for sure. I've been trying to incorporate more veggies into our diets. Italian food is always an tasty way to sneak those in and have the kids still eat it. I thought this would be a home run and then I look over to see a pile of green on Eian's plate! He was picking out the spinach. Oh well I guess I'll have to step up my game and hide it a little better next time!

Make sure to go visit Keli's blog for more great recipes!

Simplify: Be Content in Circumstances

What is Contentment?

Here's the definition according to Webster's

Contentment-

1) Mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are

2) Assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc.

I have to be honest here, I almost titled this post as Simple Mom Confessions. The reason I am blogging on contentment is because I really needed to practice it yesterday and I wasn't...at all!! As I continue to pray for God's guidance and purpose for this blog, as I am praying for guidance in all areas of my life right now, these thoughts, concepts, and words kept coming to mind.

Live Contently, Simply, & Fully

After the rough day I had yesterday (they were mostly self inflicted rough spots) I really wanted to seek God first this morning. Contentment is what He put on my heart and truly what I believe He wants me to share with you today.

I am finding the key to a simple life is fine tuning the art of contentment. If I seek contentment in all areas of my life then I stop spending money on things I want and don't really need, and I get off the hamster wheel of never having enough time in the day to accomplish all I want to and I learn to see my trials as a tool to help me be even more content.

I had to stop and access what areas of my life I needed to apply contentment. So I decided that over the course of the next few days I will share what I'm finding and what the Lord is showing me. The first area I know I need to practice contentment in is:

Stress (Circumstances)

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. Phillipians 4:11-12

Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2

Now if Paul, who was imprisoned when he wrote this, can find contentment in all things then that's what I should strive for with God's help. This is where I struggle. I find it easier (this is me personally)to be content with money/material things and my time than I do in this area.

It's those little moments of the lost shoe when you're running late, the twentieth time of putting my toddler in time out, or the meal plans gone bad (see homemade tortilla photo). In those moments whatever is happening right then and there seems magnified and I even justify my exploding temper and outburst of frustration.

The Lord is slowly revealing to me that when I allow my anger to get the best of me I'm saying that I don't deserve this, this is unfair,etc. However, God is opening my eyes to if I believe His promises like Joshua 1:5, 1 Corinthians 10:13& Romans 8:28 then these trials, no matter how big or small, are for my betterment.

My betterment? I certainly wasn't thinking that after 5 months of moving from Indiana (where I call home, grew up there, family is there) to Florida, then getting settled in there and getting used to the beach life to be told "Guess what Honey? I've been offered a job in Kansas!" was for my betterment. But after being here for 3 weeks I can honestly say that I am better for it.

My faith has grown beyond anything I thought possible. My appreciation for my husband and my family as a whole is deeper. My prayers in other areas have been answered as a result to the move. The bottom line here is that I am on the road to contentment (which ultimately leads to simplifying) through circumstances I never would have asked to happen if it were up to me!

C.S. Lewis said "If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think this world as a place of training and correction and it's not so bad."

*Disclaimer: Please read this post with discretion. I am in no way suggesting you stay in a volatile situation where yourself or someone else is in harm's way. The trials I am speaking of here are the everyday, minor annoyances I allow to be much bigger than they should. If you are struggling with a more serious trial that is ongoing, harmful or desturctive, please pray and seek the help and advice of a pastor, counselor, family member, etc.

Simplify Life in the Kitchen- Menu Planning

I recently began participating in Menu Planning Mondays at I'm an Organizing Junkie. I've been informally menu planning for years. It was crucial when I was a full-time working away from home momma. I had grand ideas when I dreamed of staying home that I would be able to concoct these fancy gourmet meals and I would have hours to prepare tasty, interesting meals!

Well, here's a reality check for me, the more you're home the more messes you make and thus the less time you really do have! Yeah, never thought about that in my daydreams! So I have found that menu planning is just as important when you stay home as it was 6 months ago when I worked away from home. I know a lot of you have been menu planning for along time, but for others, the concept may be brand new.

What is a Menu Plan?

• Seems like a goofy question but really I have had friends ask me, "A menu plan? What do you mean by that?"


• A menu plan, simply put (no pun intended) is having a plan for several days worth of meals.


• How do I start a menu plan? There are lots of techniques: like having a month's worth of family favorite recipes and just rotating the same things, or making meal plans by using what you have on hand, or making a plan using what's on sale for the week at the grocery store. There's no wrong or right way to make a plan. Do what you find works best for you!


• A menu plan can look different for each one of us, let me explain. A menu plan to one woman could be buying for and organizing 3 meals a day for a week. Others, may just have a menu plan for dinner and plan for a month (this is what I try to do).

Want to start? Here are some great meal planning resources:

• I'm an Organzing Junkie-I know I included her link above but she really is the best place to start. She spells the menu planning process out in an easy-to-understand way.


• Money Saving Mom- This is probably my favorite blog because of all the great tips and tools she has on her site. The best part is she's real and doesn't pretend to have "it" all together. Make sure to also check out her video series on meal planning.


• Life As Mom- Jessica's speciality is freezer cooking and has lots of great tips and good recipes that make it easy. She's also in the process of writing a cookbook and she knows what she's talking about!


• The Happy Housewife-She's a mom of 7 kids where meal planning is a must! Need I say more?


• Just a Pinch Recipe Club- My new favorite recipe site. I've used All Recipes for while and still like it but this one is much more user friendly in my opinion.

Happy Planning! Oh and I did originally post by menu plan in here but I removed it because of some blogger formatting issues. I can't figure it out right now so I removed it for the moment, sorry!

Project: Kiss Your Husband!

Sounds like a fun project huh? I recently took up reading the At the Well blog again and I'm so glad I make the effort read posts from there time to time. It's a really encouraging blog and offers applicable ways to be a Titus 2 woman.

Every week they have a project or a challenge to try in your home that will help you live out the Titus 2:4-5. This week is Project: Kiss Your Husband. The idea is to take just 6 seconds to slow down and take the time to really focus on kissing your husband passionately (this need not be something inappropriate while kids are around, hee hee). This is to let him know that while he's away at work you will miss him deeply. What man wouldn't feel loved if instead of a quick peck while you're rushing around you actually let the world stop for 6 seconds and put his face in your hands and really kiss him like you mean it?

So I can't wait for my husband to leave for work so I can plant a big one on him! Have fun this week and go show your husband that he's important to you, you miss him when he's gone, and most importantly...HE IS LOVED!

Happy smooching!

A Day Fit for a King

Yesterday was a day fit for a king or a ten year old one that is. Yep, I would say Eian had a pretty good birthday. We only got him one gift and all we did was free or pretty close but he didn't care. I think he just liked being the center of attention all day!

The day started off with me letting him sleep in and and then making him blue pancakes with candles.
After that we were off to every kids paradise, what I jokingly call the germ factory, but it was free and he loves going. I guess I have their birthday club and free tokens to thank for that!

He also wanted to check out the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame. If you're a sports fan, like he is, it's great and FREE! He was in boy heaven with all the sports memorabilia everywhere. I try to act enthused but I am not a natural sports fan. I guess with having all boys I need to get with it huh?

We had a few other stops, like picking up a DS game from Best Buy that my sister in Florida got him, thanks Aunt Carol!

We finished the day with his choice of dinner. First he wanted me to make

London broil, mashed potatoes and Wal-Mart corn.

Yes, Wal-Mart brand corn is the only one we'll eat

other than fresh! He changed his mind the other

day though to a hot dog bar. He cracks me up!

His big 1-0 wouldn't be complete without cake and ice cream. Last year I did the rite of passage for moms of boys and made the erupting volcano cake .

But this year he wanted something simple (thank goodness) and he went with plain ole chocolate.

Here's some pics of him and his dad being goofy.

All in all we had a great day and I am in awe of how fast 10 years flew by! sniff, sniff

My Baby Turns 10

It's hard to believe it's been ten years since I cradled my first born in my arms. Ten years ago today I discovered that although I was great with other peoples' kids, I wasn't quite sure at first what to do with my own. Ten years ago today God brought this smart, compassionate, witty, sensitive, reflective, and handsome boy into our lives and I am so grateful!

He's still sleeping and so his birthday hasn't officially started but I will have pics up later today of all our happenings. But in the meant time, I thought it appropriate, since he's in the double digits, to totally embarrass him with a pic from 5 years ago. Unfortunately, my scanner isn't set up yet and this was the oldest one I could find.

I just love his toothless grin!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Steps for a Cheap & Fun Spring Break

It's no surprise that many families will not be going away this year for Spring Break. The increasing price of gas and groceries have left many unable to afford a vacation this year. We have not had a vacation for some time now and we are very familiar to the term Staycation.

Earlier this week we spent the day exploring the local attractions and only spent $3.11! What made ours cheap was sleeping in way later than normal and eating a late breakfast. We took some snacks and drinks and made it back in time for an early dinner, no lunch for us but we were all good. The $3.11 was spent on all 4 of us treating ourselves to Baskin Robbins ice cream. We had 2 get a scoop free coupons, yay!

I know staycation's have become popular for others as well since the economy plunged a few years ago but many still fall into the trap of spending way too much even for a staycation. I know this from firsthand experience and here are my tips on a successful and inexpensive Staycation during your Spring Break.

1. Lose the guilt!

Let me see if you all can relate. Here is my thought processes from Spring Break and Summer's past:

"I feel so bad that we can't take a REAL vacation. It's ok, it's ok I can still make this fun and memorable without spending as much as we would on a big vacation. Let's see, there's the indoor waterpark. He would looove that. It is $45 for all of us BUT it is cheaper than a regular vacation. Oh and Putt, Putt's open now so we should do that oh and we can go to Chuck E Cheese as long as we don't buy food and use coupons on the tokens. Well we do have to eat somewhere so Chili's has Kids eat Free, that sounds like a good idea and...."

Can you all see where this is going? This thought process ends with us taking the kids to do all these fun local things but come to discover we've spent over $300 for one day's worth of fun and we stayed in town, yikes!

I'm certainly not saying that any of these things are bad to do but for me our purchases and activities were motivated by guilt and that always just leads to more guilt when you add up the receipts.

2. Set Limits

Why are you having a staycation?

Is it because you're saving for something else? Is it because the money simply isn't there, at all? Or is it because, you're trying to whittle your way out of debt and that money has to come out of another area?

Well, whatever the reason, make sure you and your family discuss this before you even start the planning process. Including the kids when they're school age (some preschoolers may even be able to comprehend) is a great way to show financial responsibility. It's easier to stay on track when everyone is on the same page.

3. Plan & Prepare

Planning ahead before you head out the door is key to making your staycation fun, low stress, and affordable.

Activities:

-Check out your local visitor's center a week or so before. You can either visit their website or actually go there and grab all the brochures that look interesting (kids looove this part).

Ask to be put on their mailing list if they offer it. Sometimes you'll receive some great discounts on local dining and attractions.

-Take advantage of free admissions and kids activities. Many nature centers, musuems, etc have kids stuff going on during spring break that are free. Some musuems have Kids Get in Free days. Be sure to take advantage and plan accordingly.

- Be in the know. Check your local newspaper for local events, or become involved on local online Mom's forums, or simply ask around. Sometimes school office workers are more in the know than anyone.

-Make a list of all possible things and places to see and let your family pick. Depending on how many kids you have, and how long your staycation will be, letting each person pick one activity each is a great way to make everyone feel involved.

-Map your route. Making an organized list of where to go first, second, etc, based on their operation times and location is a crucial step if you want to save time and gas!

Food

Food can be the easiest way to blow your budget if you don't have a plan in place. When tummy's are hungry we act irrationally and don't think of the cost... until LATER!

- Plan your staycation between 8-5 so if you do eat out then your getting lunch prices instead of paying the higher dinner prices.

-Picnic and take a stocked cooler. Kids love to eat outside so if the weather's nice why not find a park along your route? It will save you a TON of money and will let the kiddos get out some energy.

-Pack drinks and snacks. Can't do the picnic thing because of bad weather? Then at least consider packing drinks for the car ride or to have drinks with your lunch from a fast food place. Drinks are the biggest rip off at restaurants in my opinion.

- Sign up for customer clubs, and email lists of restaurants along your route. Again, planning is needed and is best to do this a week or so ahead of time. Some restaurants don't send out coupons or specials for a few days after you sign up. I personally make a habit of signing up for anything I can at all the restaurants in our area. When we do want to splurge we rarely, if ever, pay full price.

4. Have Fun- Don't Be Too Rigid

It's easy for us money saving momma's to go overboard and be the checkbook drill sargeant. This makes you crabby and irritable and then no one has fun! This is where setting the limits in step 2 is important.

Anticipate the "Mommy, pleeeease can I have it" scenario. You know it's bound to happen even though you set limits you're kids will try it!

A way to avoid this may be giving the kids a small amount of spending money or letting them take their allowance. It doesn't have to be a lot, a buck or two with small kids seems to work. The bigger kids are a little harder to please but they usually are a little better at understanding the why behind your set limits. So the older ones don't feel left out, allowing them to do extra chores for spending money, in additon to the buck or two you give the little kids, is great way to let them feel in control.

5. Record your memories

Just because it's a staycation doesn't mean it can't be as treausred a memory as let's say Disney. Take lots of pictures and remind your kids to pick up momentos for the family scrapbook later. Making it feel special will help them to appreciate the family time even more.

HAPPY STAYCATIONING!

Spring Has Sprung

Like many parts of the country, temperatures here in Kansas have risen. I've been absent from blogging for a few days because of the 70 degree weather! We all forgot how accustomed we had become to that mild Florida weather until spring popped up, finally!

So we've doing a lot of playing outside, hitting the local parks, taking walks, etc. Who needs a formal excercise routine when you can just go outside and play with your kids? I know mine keep me on my toes and out of breath.

I have lots of good, thought provoking, and hopefully helpful, posts brewing but simply have not had the time to put my fingers to the keyboard. So until then, I wanted to share some pics of what we've been up to.

Doesn't he look like he's up to something? lol

Eian loved the new park we found.

So you can see we're enjoying the outdoors and don't have much time for blogging but I hope to get that post up on cheap spring break ideas soon! I have lots of people asking how we only spent $3.11!

Super Saving Saturday

Crystal over at MoneySavingMom hosts a Super Savings Saturday Link Up and thought I would participate. I've really been getting into the money saving groove and gotten some great deals this week. I let our cupboards and fridge get really low on just about everything so I was cringing making this week's list.

I really lucked out at Dillon's though with the awesome specials they had! Here's a pick of what I purchased. I realized though, AFTER I took this picture and uploaded it, that I had put away 3 bags of Birdseye Steamfresh veggies and 2 bags of Gorton's frozen fish. I had also forgotten about the 10 lb bag of potatoes.

The price I paid may still seem like a lot to those of you who rarely spend more than $40-$50 bucks a week. However, if you look close you'll see I got two 3lb rolls of ground chuck, 2 family size packs of boneless skinless chicken breasts (enough for 4 meals), a corned beef brisket, a 1lb bag of honey ham lunch meat (we use for brkfast sandwhiches as well as for lunches), and a value pack of chicken thighs!

I got all this for $86.36 and saved $84.32!

You may be wondering where some other essentials, like milk, are. Well I stocked up and purchased 4 gallons at $2.88 each on Tuesday before the sale switched. So that should last us a week! lol No, they might last a week and a half!

I was so excited when I left Dillon's and started breaking down all the meat into freezer bags. With all I purchased, and a few little things I still had in the freezer, we have enough meals for at least 20 days, and that's not including days we'll do leftovers!

I could list all my deals but instead here's the link I used to snag up most of these deals you see in the pic. Visit MotherhoodOnaDime for this weeks Dillon's specials with coupon match ups.

Happy Shopping!

My Bargain Buy- A 50 cent Purse!

I've shared in recent posts about my increasing furgality and that means I've also had to cut down on my impulse buys. Everyone has their own definition I think on what an impulse buy is. For me, an impulse buy is anything I don't HAVE to have and can live without.


Since David and I are determined to get out of debt and pay off all our credit cards,my must haves are essential items that we use everyday. It's amazing what you learn to do without when you have no other choice.

David and I did determine last week that if we want to be in this Get Out of Debt Plan for the long haul we must give ourselves some play money. My husband especially is one that it makes him feel good to have a few bucks in his pocket and to take that away is way too restrictive for him. So after 6 years of marriage and many arguments later I understand this about him and respect his need for a little wiggle room.


There's a funny thing my husband says about me, "If you had it your way, we'd live barefoot, in a hut, eating ramen noodles and canned beans by candlelight!" Oh I love my man for pegging me even if he did go to extremes! He's right in that I'm a minimalist. The name of my blog isn't just a name, it's me...simple, simple, simple! Less is more has always been my motto.


However, I have been wanting a purse for sometime now. All the ones I have either have holes in the lining or stains that will not come out. Still, for me this is a WANT not a must HAVE so I've refrained from getting a new one or even a used one. Since my husband, in all his brilliancy, suggested the weekly spending money for each us, I decided to to keep my eyes out for a new one. So here's my new splurge. It may not be your style but I think she's beautiful and for only FIFTY CENTS!! She's almost brand new and I'm not sure why I'm calling it a SHE! lol





There's a little shop in town called Care and Share. It's a thrift shop run by volunteers and all proceeds go to people in our little town of 8000 who are struggling to keep their utilities on and buy groceries. I love supporting a good cause and getting a few bargains doesn't hurt either.




I snagged up a few other goodies as well. Like new backpack for Eian for $1, a bath towel that matches our colors,and two pairs of pants for Elias. My total was $5.37!

Cut Laundry Cost: DIY Dryer Sheets

So anyone who knows me would probably call me frugal (but then you have not met my Mom)

but my recent SAHM status has opened my eyes to ways I'm NOT being frugal. I'm starting to see so many ways to cut costs not just on groceries but other items around the house.

I never realized how spoiled I was in the laundry department. I've almost always used BOTH fabric softener AND dryer sheets...EEEK! I don't know if any of you have seen the price of these items but even with coupons they are pricey. I know you can use vinegar in the rinse cycle for a super cheap alternative and the vinegar smell disappears. I'm still a girl who loves smelly good things though.

So I came up with a low cost way to still have my laundry smell good but be able to at least drop dryer sheets from my household supply list. Last week my husband's socks were getting stretched out and he was ready to pitch them. I decided to cut them up and use them for rags to clean the bathrooms and such. One night when I was doing laundry and we had long ran out of dryer sheets I decided to pour a small amount of liquid fabric softener to the sock and tossed it in the dryer. They work great AND you could usually use the same "sock" twice without adding more softener.

The other added bonus is you can toss the dried sock into your drawer of "delicates" when you're not doing laundry or place in your linen closet to keep the items smelling extra fresh!

New Favorite Cookie Recipe

I'm really enjoying getting back into the blogging groove. The problem? I have sooo many deep thought provoking, soul sharing, enlightening (or so I think) posts but they take time in putting my thoughts into some sort of organization. Time is tight around these parts as I still continue to unpack, move things around and then move around some more, and get organized with my daily routine.

But until then I have yet another recipe to share. I posted the other day about my new/old best friend. These double chocolate cookies are the first of many recipes I tried using my "new" mixer. Actually the story behind these is it's a recipe we found in a Family Circle magazine at the doctor's office last week. David was drooling so much he asked the nurse to copy the page for us!

It was a very user friendly recipe and they are great cookies for bake sales or for gifts. You can find the full recipe at the Family Circle site here. Enjoy!

My New/Old Best Friend

I think I could learn to love my mixer, FINALLY!

I'm ashamed to admit that I've had it since David and I married almost 6 years ago! We received it as a wedding gift and I was excited to get it. However, like many of my kitchen gadgets I tend to keep them boxed up or in the cabinets and end up doing things the old fashioned way.

David has actually used it a few times but I guess maybe I was intimidated by the big heavy mixer. I know it sounds silly doesn't it? But honestly I'm a simple gal and it seemed just as easy to mix things by hand. Well, that is until I decided to use it today. Oh my, I'm in love!

So now my mission is to find the user's manual that had some recipes in it! Hopefully I'll get time to experiment using it and can post some new recipes soon!

P.S. Thank you Uncle Ron and Aunt Debbie and sorry it took me so long to use it :)

A Kid Funny

Don't you love the moments when your kids just surprise you with their wit? Those moments when they say or do something out of character that catch you off guard (the good ones that is!) and you wonder, "Where did that come from?"

Well I had one of those moments with my 9 yr old last night. It was just the two of us, which in itself is a rarity, and we were on our way home from his first 4H meeting here. We were chatting about the meeting and his projects, etc. when he asked me, "Mom did you ever take chemistry in school?"

I answered, "Yes, in high school but I didn't do very well." He then asked me why to which I answered, "Because it includes a lot of math and I am NOT good at math."

He candidly said, "Yep who's the brain's of this family operation? Uh huh this guy!" And as he said "this guy" he pointed to himself in a circular motion. Maybe it was one of those had to be there to get it moments but let me assure you, it was hilarious!

As I started to post this I hesitated, wondering if anyone would find it as funny since you can't see his facial expressions and such. But then I thought for those who read and know my son you WILL get it and get a good laugh!

I hope you all have a great, joy filled day!

New Beef Stew Recipe

I hadn't planned on doing a post today but I thought it might be nice to share this recipe I tweaked. Unlike some of the blogs I read, I am not a master in the kitchen! I love to cook though and try new recipes but everyday it seems I learn something new about food, baking, etc. so I am by no means an "expert".


I have been making beef stew for years now but it just never seems quite right or something's always missing. I finally think I have a good one to follow! I never really make it the same way twice (kinda like meatloaf) but I think I will be following this recipe for years to come. I know this isn't the best picture but trust me, it's good!



Ingredients

Beef Stew Meat

2-3 TBSP flour (seasoned optional)

2 TBSP cooking oil

4-5 chopped carrots

4-5 medium chopped potatoes

1 pckg dry onion soup mix

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 -2 cups beef broth or water



I coat the meat in flour and usually add a blend of garlic powder, seasoning salt and whatever else I have on hand. I'm not really sure if makes much of a difference though. I brown the meat in the oil on high heat just until slightly brown.


Combine soups and broth with a whisk in your slow cooker. Add meat, carrots, and potatoes to cooker and cover. Cook on low 6-7 hours and enjoy!

This and that

Today's post is just a hodge podge. I don't have anything to share that will encourage, enlighten or uplift you. But I did make a vow to myself on putting more effort into my blog and to at least post once every other day. This means you might find times that I really don't have anything important to say (ok so that may be often!). :)

The only thing to share with you today is David's home still recovering from surgery. He can't go back to work until the doctor checks hom out tomorrow. I am amazed at how well he's bounced back though. The type of surgery they did is just amazing at how it all works!

We plan to pick up Eian's soccer gear today. He has his first practice tomorrow and he can hardly wait. There are also some HOT deals at Target this week and hope to snag a few!

So we're off and hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day!

With Love,
Stef

A Peaceful End

For those who follow my postings on Facebook know that Friday was a rather eventful one.


A nasty respiratory cold hit Elias in the middle of the night and by 9am we're at the doctor's because his heavy breathing was starting to worry us.

David also had a scheduled knee surgery at 11:30 so it became very interesting when the doctor instructed me to take Elias to the ER. The good news is this is the pic I took this afternoon. Both Daddy and lil man are doing fine.

God in His divine plan worked out all the details just as they should have and I learned that no matter how much you plan, make a schedule or to do list, life happens!

We've moved

Yes that title to my post IS correct. We have moved yet again and is the reason for my absence. We got into Kansas on Friday and are still in the process of getting unpacked and getting settled.

It was cold when we came into town but the weather here is starting to warm up but oh how I miss those beautiful beaches of Florida! We will see you again old friend, some day :). I have a ton of beachy pics of me and the fam from last week before we left but I am forced to use the apt complex business center for now until our cable gets turned on. I hope to have those up sometime next week either on here or facebook.

Monday was a day of lots of first for us. David started his new job and has "training" for the next two weeks. He doesn't really need training since this is a transfer of sorts but he still has to go through some processing and get updated on procedures, etc. He seems to like how they do things and the people he's met there so far.

Monday I took Eian to his new school to get registered. They were in the middle of state testing so he couldn't start until yesterday. He was tired of hanging out with Old Mom and was more than ready to head to school yesterday. I was really proud of him as he boldly and confidently walked into that classroom with the eyes of all his classmates on him. I always hated that feeling but he seemed fine. Oh and it probably helped that Elias went running in after him and grabbed his leg as if to say, "Noooo, Bubby don't leave me!" It was soo cute and there were several "Ahhh's" from the girls in the class. Eian just laughed and said, "This is my little brother. What can I say, he loves me. "

I also got to meet Eian's teacher and was more than pleased with her initial game plan for Eian coming in so late in the year. I'm excited to see how he will grow as a student under her care. Oh and you know you're in a small town when after I dropped him off I stopped by the local Dollar General and the cashier told me the teacher's life story! Gotta love small town life and I do, I love it here so far! I feel like I'm back home in Indiana.

As for me, I also began a first on Monday... life as a full-time stay at home momma! This will probably be short lived as I will begin job hunting once David is assigned a shift. I will just work part-time like I did in Florida and hopefully find something close. The one disadvantage to small town life is there's not usually many jobs available but we'll see. But for now I'm enjoying making our apartment a home and focusing on spending abundant time with the Lord and focusing on my families needs.

So this is all I really have to update you all on for now. I'll keep in touch as much as I can until we get our Internet and cable hooked up. Bye for now.