wow....I haven't posted in 30 months... Apparently I am a horrible blogger:/ I now have 4 kids, 1st grade, kindergarten, pre-school and a 2 year old...... Life is crazy with school, projects, holidays, parties, gymnastics, dance, swimming, hockey and basketball! Don't forget Awana, the most important one of them all! And I wouldn't trade any of it for the world! Keeping up with these amazing wonders God has blessed me with has started me on my own journey. 4 kids takes a toll on your body! I mean seriously.... Nothing can compare! And now I have started focusing on myself! I exercise every day, lifting weights and cardio.... Plus eating healthier! Already down 30 pounds and I am continuing on! I have found that making a large goal, then short goals, and writing everything down has really helped me! I am using a calorie counter app, mostly for a digital copy of what I am eating. I am focusing on 90% plant based. I tried 100% and got weak and dizzy..... I must not be doing something right! Forks over knives has great recipes! By 90% I am only allowing myself to eat lean turkey and chicken. No cheese, no dairy of any kind! And for this cheese loving person this was hard, but I have noticed all my tummy bloating is gone from cutting it out.... I just feel better! My next goal is to lose 10 pounds, every 10 pounds to me is a Sack of potatoes! I mean what a good visual of what 10 pounds is! That potato sack is no longer on my body! Pairing weight training along with cardio I have seen the best results. I am doing high reps with lower weights (every muscle group), planking and focusing on abs.  Also going to the gym 6 days a week (sometimes 7) doesn't hurt either. 

Day1: weights (start slow building up), abs and 1 hour of sweaty cardio!

Day 2: 90 minutes of sweaty cardio

I alternate every other day, and if I take a day off I start over so my first day back is always a weight day! And I go on the elliptical for my cardio:) I have also noticed that turning on music and listening I work harder! If I watch tv I am focused on something else and my workout isn't as great! There will be days that no matter how hard you try your workout sucks! And I mean just can't do it, keep pushing yourself! I always find that the day after that day, my workout is amazing! 

One thing I needed to get through my head is that food is fuel for our bodies! If you are putting bad fuel in, you won't get good results! I read a book that helped me with this is Food and Love by Gary Smalley. 

This is just a way for me to get out what I am doing, I don't care if anyone reads:) I just need this for me:) 

Thanks- until next time.... And it won't be almost 3 years ;) 

www.forksoverknives.com

Focusing on showing respect:)

OK, so I have been feeling that I need to take this time to focus on being a better wife and mother. Since I am no longer working and get to stay home with my precious loves, to which I am so thankful for, I feel I should focus more outward and not on myself ( not that I did that a lot before, but one can always do better). While looking over my books that I currently have and the greatest book of all The Bible, I have decided to start reading (again) The Power of a Praying Wife! This book is AMAZING! And I am not just saying that. I would recommend it to anyone! And It might be on my list to give every young bride I know for a shower gift! Because it truly helps understand how to pray for your mate. I am also reminded of a marriage conference that my husband and I attended our first year of marriage- The Love and Respect Conference. I have taken away a lot of basic concepts from that, but since having children I feel as if sometimes those things get lost in a sea of diapers and trying to find time to sleep! I am making it my personal goal to focus more on my husband and his needs, and not let the kids get in the way. The kids yes are a priority, but when my husband is around I want him to know that we are so very grateful for what he does for us every day by going to work and sacrificing time with his family to provide for his family. I found a website while doing a simple google search last night about 25 ways to show your husband you respect him.
It reminded me of the little things that I can do as his wife:) I also found one for husbands, which after laughing at some of the 25 ways to show him respect (it showed me some things I do completely backwards), my husband was quite interested in reading the other one:) http://lovinglifeathome.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/25-ways-to-communicate-respect/  This link will bring you to a great list of ways to show your husband that you respect him. All with scripture to back it up! I am not making this up!:)  It is a two way street though. Men are to show their wives love as we show them respect. I am so very thankful that I do have an amazing husband who works so hard for us daily and serves the Lord with his whole being. So I am excited to give my husband a giant smile and a welcome home kiss when he gets home tonight!
Did I mention it's our 7 year wedding anniversary today:)
Have a very blessed day!

Pot Roast:) mmm

Now, if you are like me you have always done your pot roast in a basic simple manner. Not putting a whole lot of thought into it. My good friend first introduced me to this pot roast recipe and I knew I would never ever in my whole life make it my old way again. I used to (which is still good, just not this good) just put the frozen roast in the crock pot in the morning with a packet of Liptons onion soup mix, add some carrots and potatoes....close the lid and walk away!.....Now this recipe is from Ree Drummond, the author of www.thepioneerwoman.com. She has been featured on television shows, and written cook books. Totally check out her blog! I would highly recommend. The recipe is a bit more tedious then my prior recipe but oh so heavenly! And worth the little bit of extra work! http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/09/2008_the_year_of_the_pot_roast/

Click on the above link for the best pot roast you will ever taste! Its very simple and very good! Below are my pictures of what it looked like when I made it! Enjoy!!(ps- you will probably be seeing a lot of links for her website!)

The first picture above is right after prepping the meat and carrots:) 

The Second picture is after it was all prepared:)

Now for the Mashed potato's I am always looking for ways to spice it up:) The Pioneer Woman has an amazing recipe for mashed potato's that can NEVER go wrong, and I will use that recipe for all special events and holidays, but for Everyday use, I use 2 Tablespoons of butter, and I use Plain Greek Yogurt instead of sour cream or heavy whipping cream. I then add Trader Joe's Everyday Seasoning, I buy the Grinder. It is an amazing spice that I use in almost everything! Get it, you will not be disappointed!

I put the juice that the meat and carrots cooked in on top of everything to keep it nice and moist! ENJOY!

Homeschooling:)

I have been going back and forth with should I homeschool? Should I not? Private School? Public School? Well God kinda took control of that area. We moved and where we live there are very LITTLE options for actual good schools. As most people know Arizona is not very well known for their public school system.... I have looked into Charters but the closest option is almost 30 minutes away, which to me doesn't seem like far, but with three younger kids it is! My oldest daughter is only 4 but we had preschool screening done back in Minnesota and she scored end of Kindergarten/ First Grade as far as comprehension and understanding and learning abilities! That being said, I am going to do Kindergarten for her this fall. I get this all the time, Make sure they are socialized. BLAH! I think that is the biggest load of garbage anyone can say. Personally.... Kids are socialized if you live in a stable home and are an active family.Throwing a bunch of kids the same age into a room isn't socialization. Its peer pressure, no individuality, and the constant pressure to 'fit in' and be judged by everyone including a teacher and to be all put on the same page as far as learning. If anyone knows my second child, he has medical issues and doesn't talk well for his age. Why should he be held back for certain things because of others. He loves music and knows all his letters and their sounds! My kids will be involved in church and homeschool groups. Also, they will be in community sports! I would say that's enough 'socialization' in my book. And no they wont be weird or awkward......I was homeschooled! Can you tell? I wasn't homeschooled for all my learning years but I only have 18 years with my kids at home and then they go to College. I am fine doing this while we are living where we are living. I am not going to say it's forever. It could only be for a year! And then we move to an area with good schools! Who knows...but I know I want to enjoy my children for as much as I can..Hey I only have 14 years left with my oldest! EEK! I better get going:)

Ok, So I know its been months since my first post but I am finally having time being settled to do something! I decided I would blog about how excited I am about my monthly meal plan I made today! YIPPEE!!! I have not done a meal plan in a while because of my husband being gone and moving clear across the country...apparently it means you don't cook anything but PB& J and pizza..... So, looking forward I took the next four weeks and planned out our dinners for the whole month! I can honestly say I look forward to heading to Costco on Saturday to spend money on food! I am making quite a variety of foods but some of the ones I am most excited about are Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, Jalapeno popper Grilled Cheese, Asian Chicken wraps, and Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa:)  I will be taking pictures and posting on my blog as the month goes on what amazing food I am making;) With Recipes of course:)  8 of the Recipes I will be making this month are new ones from Pinterest! I am really excited to try some new stuff, and have some classic stuff too. Especially The Pioneer Woman's Pot Roast, Simmered with Rosemary, Thyme, Cooking Sherry and Onions...just to name some of it! Stay Tuned!

Welcome!

Welcome to my Blog:) I hope to get this fully up and running in the near future! Please add it to your daily reading...I hope to have Devotions on here weekly, Recipes, Kids Crafts, Organization ideas, fun things to do with your family...and don't forget my thoughts and opinions...not that anyone wants to hear that ;) I have been told by many that I should write a book. I seem to disagree. That seems like too much work. So I compromised, this is my first blog and I hope and pray you will enjoy what I have to say.  More coming soon:) If you wish to see something specific please, let me know and I will think of that when writing my posts:) Thanks for listening;)