Healthy Meal Planning on a Budget

Quite a while ago I led a short little class on how my family meal plans and budgets for food. I thought I would jot it down for you here!

I'm throwing this out there right now: We do not eat "perfectly". Yes, we have a well balanced, nutritional diet but,  sometimes I let my kids eat corn dogs, granola bars, and Lucky Charms. 80% of the time we do get it right. Life is about balance, and I'm a big fan of nachos.

Typically I start my weekly meal planning of by writing down exactly what my family will be eating throughout the week. Look at this adorable planner I use! I clip it to the side of the fridge (I'm a "nothing on the front of my refrigerator" kinda gal).

By planning each and every meal I am able to shop for specific items. I'm not buying random things and then letting them spoil. As an added bonus, when my kids are aware of what's on the menu, they are a lot less complaints, and "suggestions" about lunch.

One of my friends shops and plans her meals through the weekly grocery ads. If chicken and pork are on sale, that's what she will plan her menu from. She is really specific about buying fruits and vegetables that are $1 a pound or less and meats that are $2 a pound and under. She will also shop at ethnic markets when looking for something specific. If you need sesame oil, it will be worth a trip to the Asian market.

Our community has an amazing discount store named Esh's, that offers many organic and name brand items at a discounted price. Many of these items are near their expiration date or past them. So be mindful of using them promptly. You can saves loads shopping for produce at a place like this.
I want to take a moment to address expiration dates. The US is one of the most wasteful nations in the world. They throw out far too many foods that have past their "expiration date" but are perfect. One of the items I buy past it's expiration date is yogurt. I have purchased hundreds of yogurts past their dates, and have had 3 that have been sour. So, use your best judgment, but don't alway judge a product by it's date.

One of the easiest places to blow your budget is Costco and Sam's Club. Firstly, you are paying an annual membership fee, which would equal out to be a cart of groceries. Secondly, many of the food items you buy will be thrown out due to spoiling. Yes, buying in bulk can save money. If I don't go into Costco and buy ONLY what is on my list, I've blown it. If you wouldn't be buying chocolate covered almonds at the grocery store, don't buy them at Costco because it's "such a good deal". I do buy paper towels, toilet paper, produce (we eat a lot of produce), Olive and Coconut oil, roasted almonds, chicken nuggets and rice at Costco. But if I start looking at the yoga pants, it's over.

Somebody suggested using your Amazon Prime membership to buy toilet paper, paper towels, and laundry supplies instead of getting them at Costco, Walmart or Target. I love this idea. While it may cost a bit more to order them online, I would save so much more money not walking into the Target dollar section. But, I did find the most adorable mini cake stands so.......there's that....

I try really hard to only shop at my local grocery store. I have downloaded their app and can clip coupons and have them loaded directly onto my loyalty card. They also mail out some paper coupons and I use those as often as possible. I do not cut out coupons from the newspaper, however, I know that's proven to work for people as well. I don't buy groceries at places like Walmart; while their prices might be less, their produce isn't nearly as good and I will usually leave with a beauty blender. Extra.

One of the most important things to me is that I make everything from scratch, at home. I make everything down to their waffles and pancakes (which I freeze for them later), spaghetti sauce, salad dressings, Mac and cheese, biscuits, pie crusts, etc. You can find quick and easy recipes at the click of a button for all things homemade. I never buy pre made and frozen meals from the grocery store. This has been really a really intentional step in how I feed my family. I can control exactly what goes into their mouths and know what the nutritional value of the food. We eat a lot of veggies, 100% whole grain breads and pastas, nuts, and lean meats (aside from chicken thighs, because they are so delicious, chicken breasts are overrated). We strive to eat a well balanced diet, as best as we can. Yes, we have cinnamon rolls, but I made them so I know what's in them.

We buy as many "whole" meats as possible too. When I buy a rotisserie chicken, nothing goes to waste. I use the bones and left  to make bone broth, and will usually use the chicken pieces that were clinging to the bone to make chicken soup, or pot pie. We also are able to buy a 1/2 cow at a time and deep freeze it. This saves so much money on beef. We pay $3 a pound for KC Strip Steaks, not bad.

Want a few of my go-to favorite recipes?

Awesome!

I have a Pinterest board page dedicated to this topic alone!

Follow it HERE!

Hope this has given you hope that you can do it! It takes time and effort, but it's so much better for your family (and your bank account) when the planning has been executed.

Let me know what some of your budget friendly, healthly meals are too!

Healthy and Delicious BBQ Salad

I've found a new and delicious salad! You know I love my salads and I'm always working to find a new and delicious way to dress up my spinach and kale.

Here's my super healthy,  power salad that you should most surely create at home!

Sweet Pulled Pork and Pepper Salad

Baby Kale, Spinach, torn into bite sized pieces

Palm sized amount of BBQ Pulled Pork

1/2 Sweet Red Pepper, chopped

1 small carrot, chopped

Green Onions to taste, diced

1/2 Avocado, diced

1 small tomato, chopped

8 chopped almonds

1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

This was the results of leftover pulled pork from the night before. To make the pork I cooked a lean pork roast in the crockpot with a can of diet coke (it makes the pork so moist with a hint of sweetness to it!). When the pork is done I'll shred it and add BBQ sauce just to moisten it. James will usually add more to his, but I just like the favor and it keeps the calorie count lower. 

The next day I'll use that pork along with all of the other ingredients to make up the salad. By choosing to use only a bit of oil and salt and pepper it really allows all of the flavors of the veggies to stand out. 

This is the perfect lunchtime salad with enough protein to give you energy for hours.
I hope you love this as much as I do!

How To Make Sushi at Home

James and I love sushi but hate the price tag that goes along with it. We've had some of the best sushi you can find at The Sushi Den in Denver. Ah-mazing! I haven't figured out how to make it as delicious as their's, but I'm trying! I know that sushi is all about what ingredients you use and how fresh your fish is. We live in CO, it's rough to find really fresh fish without is costing you your first born. So we've come to find this "happy place" with our sushi. When I'm craving it I'll get my fix at home. Here's how I make it at home.

Here's what you'll need for a California Roll {The B Family Style}:

2-21/2 Cooked Sushi Rice
1/4 Cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar
1/4 Cup Sugar
Mayo
Nori Seaweed Wraps (sold in the Asian aisle)
Carrots for extra crunch (cut into thin sticks)
Crab Legs
Cucumber (cut into thin sticks)
Avocado (cut into thin wedges)
Sesame Seeds
Dipping Sauces (Soy sauce with sirachi, wasabi or whatever else you love!)


You can find sushi rice at pretty much any grocery store these days. It's sold in the Asian aisle. I know that you can also use any form of short grain rice, but I like to stick to what I know….sushi rice! When the rice is just about done I'll add the seasoned rice vinegar and sugar and let them set for about 10 min. Usually I didn't think ahead to let the rice cool and I have found a great way to cool it fast is to put it onto a baking sheet and stick it into the fridge for a bit and voila! ready to roll.

Mmmmmm….
Make sure your veggies are cut into sticks, or wedges in the avocado's case.

 You will need one of these handy, dandy rolling mats and a flat, wooden spoon.

Your first step is to lay your wrap down. Here's the thing….you have options here…you can use the wrap alone, or use the rice and nori (see weed), or the rice on the outside and the nori on the inside…choices, choices, choices. I've heard that Americans like it with the rice on the outside and the nori onto, and then the fillings…..whatever floats your boat. Here's two ways we do in our home:

Just rice:
Use your flat wooden spoon to "smash" your rice onto the mat. Keep your edges nice an neat because of the rolling later.
You may have to wet your spoon to from sticking to the rice.

Option two (much easier!) (but the kids don't like it as much): Place the nori onto the mat and cover it with the rice. 

I then add a line of mayo (not clean eating!) onto the rice.

Line the veggies and crab along with the lines of your mat…for rolling purposes.

Now you roll!

Take your mat and roll it over all of your ingredients. Don't worry about smashing them together…you want them to stick together. 

You will then pull back the mat from the rice and start again with the rolling. Then finish it off and you have a sushi roll!

Slice it into pieces you and you have sushi pieces!

What I love about this is that I can use anything I want! I can use shrimp, or scallops, or salmon. I can use anything…and it's always yummy. We've had a Colby Beef Sushi Roll before. I have not tried to use beef….but I just might!

Sauce can make or break it as well….
Use a bit spice with a bit of salty…yum yum yum!

There ya go….hope I just saved you a $50 sushi bill for one night!

9 Reasons To Break Up With Your Smartphone

I don't have a smartphone. I'll give you a moment to gasp. I don't want a smartphone….**gasp**…. and I have no intuitions of getting one any time soon. James and I don't want to join the smartphone revolution. We know that it is inevitable. We know that one day there will not be an option, they will all be smartphones. But as of now, I don't want one….not one bit. I find it so freeing to not be tied to my cell phone. If you need some reasons to break up with your phone here's 9 reasons to say goodbye to "smart" and hello to freedom!

I can actually watch my kids play at the park.
I know so many moms who talk about wanting to be able to stay away from their phones so they can spend more time with their kids. It's not a temptation for me. I don't have an easy out. I don't have a way to make an easy escape away from them. I have the privilege to watch them, snuggle with them without being on my phone. It's such a relief to not be tied to my phone, and to be tied to my kids instead.
I love this website about more intentional parenting (yes, I understand the irony in reading a website about taking time off the internet to be with your kids more).

I save $150 a month. People that's $1800 a year!
James and I are actually still on our parents plan. We pay $10 a month each for our phone lines. We're good with that, they are good with that. That means we pay $240 a year on our phones, that's quite difference then $1800. That amount doesn't even include the price of phones, cases, Apps, and accessories. It's crazy what you can pay for a phone. You could use that money saved to go on a family vacation!

I don't feel the need to check my phone in the car.
Everybody knows the danger there. I have nothing to look at, so I don't feel the need to check it while I'm driving. It's true, that I don't have a GPS on  my old-school phone but I'm lucky enough to have one that I can plug into my car. It works and I get where I need to be without checking my phone.

My kids don't want to play with my phone.
They know my phone is lame, so they don't want to play with it. That means they aren't going to buy some random Apps or drop it in their bowl of cereal. They don't ask me all day if they can hold it, or look at it. I'm good with that!

On date nights we actually look at each other.

It is so sad to me when I see so many couples at a restaurant sitting in silence, heads titled down, fumbling on their phones. Tell me, what can possibly be more interesting than a human being in front of you. I get one chance on this planet to get to know people, more importantly my husband. I don't want to waste one second of our relationship acting more interested in a phone than him.

I don't freak out when I can't find my phone. 
I'll admit that this one drives James crazy. Because I'm not attached to my phone sometimes I can't find it. But it's OK to go without your phone. I'm not suffocating over the fact that I can't find it. I don't get stressed out when I drop it either. It's cheap, and it's cheap to replace it if anything does happen to it. Don't we all need one less thing to worry about? There is an actual named disorder for this; Nomophobia: the fear of losing your phone. People….seriously?!

I don't look at my phone 10,000 times a day. 
Because I don't have a fancy one, I don't even really know what's so cool about them. I'm not an idiot, I know there are hundreds of awesome things you can do with. "There's an app for that." Yes, I know about the Disney Line Time Check app (you can check current times at Disney parks). That's cool. I get it. But why do I need to check my FB account 40 times a day? I don't. I can check it on my computer at home, when I get there. I'm not so important as to need to answer emails all day. Plus, my neck doesn't hurt from being hunched over my phone all day.

I communicate with people by speaking AND looking at them.
I was sitting with a friend on my couch while our kids played in my home. I was beginning to get so frustrated as I was trying to talk to her and she was just constantly looking at her phone saying; "So sorry! I just HAVE to answer this email real quick!" or "Oh, I just HAVE to show you this pin on Pinterest!".  I have nothing on my phone that's more interesting than humans. My text message inbox fills up so fast that I don't even like to text, I'd rather just call them and speak with them

I am not bound by social media.
This is one area that is really beginning to frighten me. Social media is changing the way the world communicates, and it's scary! Cyber bullying is out of control, and there is no way to stop it. People hide behind the internet to say cruel, disgusting, and despicable things. You can comment on anything with no repercussion. You can upload and watch any video that pleases you. Terrorist groups use Twitter and YouTube to recruit mass murderers members. I am beginning to deeply loathe social media. Loathe! Yes, good things can come these outlets, but I believe much more evil is coming from it than good. I love my Facebook account as much as the next person, but I know that day will come when I will have to leave it behind. When that day comes, I will not cry over it. If you want to know about my life you can call me.

I know that there are many, many benefits that come from these phones. I know that you can do so many really cool things with them, helpful, useful things. But is saddens me to think of all the things that may be wasted because of the "cool" things the phones do. If you can't totally ditch the smartphone, maybe you can just set it aside for a while. I promise you will live without it. I do! Lets take back our families, and our future! Kiss it goodbye!

Feta, Lime & Bacon Salad

In this house we eat a lot of salads. At least one night a week we will eat it as our dinner, and I eat one nearly every day for lunch. I really, really, really heart them.

I've had to come up with "man pleasing" salads in order to get James to really come to love them too. I thought I might share my wealth of delicious salad ideas with you too!

Today I'll share my new obsession the Feta, Lime & Bacon salad.

Ingredients:
2 heads Butter Lettuce
10 Cherry Tomatos, halved
1/2 Red Onion, diced
1 cup Frozen Corn
1/2 cup Feta Cheese
1/2 cup Diced Bacon, or bacon bits
1 Avocado
3 Tbs Olive Oil
Juice of 1 Lime
Salt and Pepper to taste
{Add 2 grilled chicken breasts for a really filling dinner)

I never measure anything so those amounts are really up to you. When I do 2 heads of the lettuce it will feed our entire family (5 eaters). Last night I added grilled chicken and it was SO amazing and really filling!
Just toss everything in a bowl and top with the olive oil, lime juice and salt and pepper. It is so so yummy!

This salad is so fresh tasting and has a really creamy texture despite not having a creamy dressing on top. It is light and tangy, and zesty. It's the perfect summer salad!

So there ya have it….I have literally eaten this salad every day for at least a week. I just can't get enough of it. But, like I said….I really love salads!

Healthy Red Pepper Pasta

I've noticed that nearly all of the food I put on this blog is quite naughty…

It's funny that I tend to relate tasty to unhealthy. The truth is that in our home we actually eat quite healthy. I'm not talking "raw diet" healthy, but healthy none-the-less.

This is a family favorite. James loves it, I love it, the kids love (most) of it.
I think you will appreciate the ease of this dish as well.
From start to finish 30 minutes or less!

Delish!

Skinny Roasted Pepper, Zucchini & Feta Penne

1 lb Whole Wheat Penne
1 large red pepper
1 large yellow pepper
2 small zucchinis
1/2 can of olives, diced
3 roma tomatoes, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
6oz Feta Cheese
Olive Oil (to taste)
Balsamic Vinegar (to taste)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Slice your veggies lengthwise and thinly and place on a cookie sheet. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place under the broiler in your oven and cook for about 10 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile cook you pasta.

In a small saucepan heat up 1tsp of olive oil and add garlic, olives, and tomato and heat on low until pasta is done cooking.

When veggies are done cooking slice the up and toss them in with the pasta, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste (I think we use about 1/8 cup each). Toss is all together and serve!

Yum! Yum! Yum!

You can also grill the veggies instead of roasting them in the oven. It's so delicious either way! Add chicken too. It's quite versatile and quite delicious!

Enjoy a guilt free dinner for the whole family!

Unrealistic Beauty & True Beauty

Have you heard of this gorgeous woman?

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Her name is Kylie Bisutti and in 2009 she won the Victoria Secret Angle search contest. 
Oddly enough that was the year I competed….*this is a total lie*
But anyway….she competed against 10,000 women and beat them out. And why wouldn't she win? She's stunning.

But that is not what's making headlines today. Kylie chose to leave the modeling industry for her Christian beliefs and has written a book on her decision to do so. 

Now, she is being highly criticized by the fashion industry on her tell-all book. 
Online magazines are even calling her a liar. www.nymag.com said this: 

Until now, Victoria's Secret has ignored Bisutti, who won their Model Search contest back in 2009 but hasn't worked for them since that year. They probably didn't want to fan the flames, as she's gotten much more attention for her supposed "quitting" than she ever did as an actual model.

Victoria's Secret stated that she was never an elite model for them. 
Nice Vicky…really nice. 

What just gets my blood boiling is the expectations that Kylie talks about the modeling industry, and the unrealistic expectations they put on women.

Kylie states that she was 5'10" and weighed 115 lbs. People…that's SKINNY. She had the measurements of 34 (bust)  24 (waist)  34 (hips). Her agent told her that she was a "fat cow" and needed to lose 2 inches off of her hips in order to book more jobs. Kylie went on a starvation diet dropped down to 108 lbs in order to fit the "beauty standards".

She talks about feeling conviction over the fact that she was "selling sex"…which {HELLO} it is Victoria's Secret after all. 

You guys…I have to be totally honest with you here. I'm sick over this. I'm sick over all of the women who are treating their bodies this way in order to be "beautiful" "elite" and "flawless". 
Even those who aren't competing in the modeling world. 
I hate looking at my perfect, beautiful daughter and thinking one day she will look in a mirror and begin to point out her "flaws". 
I hate seeing my gorgeous friends talk about their stretch marks, and love handles, and cellulite. 
God did not create us to criticize our bodies and our beauty. 
The devil wants that. He loves that. He loves that we are starving ourselves, or running ourselves ragged at the gym, or criticizing every inch of who we are. 

So what does God want us to know about our external beauty? 
IT. DOESN'T. MATTER.

He tells us that we are made in his image. And that it is wonderful. 

Psalms 139:14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

But that is not who we are. 

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

1 Peter 3:3-4
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

The Bible clearly states that external beauty fades. That it truly is what is inside that matters. But being a woman in our society is so hard. We are so bombarded with images of "perfect" (and photoshopped) women. We are told to strive to be this way. Use this cream, eat this supplement, tone your body, dye your hair, whiten your teeth, darken your skin, remove the hair. It's impossible. 

It's tragic, and it breaks my heart. 

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So dear women, listen to what the Lord says. 
You are beautiful. You were created for a purpose, a glorious purpose.
You were not created to live up to the world's unrealistic expectations of beauty.

Especially to those momma's who are hard on themselves after pregnancy…I just adore what Alyssa Milano said:

“Our bodies are not made to look good in a string bikini! Our bodies are made to nurture and cuddle and all of those amazing things that come along with being a mom.”

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You are beautiful. Truly beautiful.
And I'm proud of women like Kylie who can come out and speak against the false "realities" of beauty.
I'm proud that she is taking a stand for Christ and standing up to teach young women about true beauty.

Remember that GFC is going away. Follow my blog over on Bloglovin!

My Go To {Clean} Workout Songs

I was so tired of listening to Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, and Rihanna on my playlist. They have been there since college and that was a "few" years ago.

Sure…it's catchy, upbeat, and fun to work out too. But the problem was I can't STAND the lyrics of nearly every song on my IPod. 

I didn't have music with profanity, but the lyrics were just wretched. Not to mention the lack of musicality and content. Plus, my spirit didn't enjoy it. 

So I went on the hunt for some Chrstians songs that weren't totally lame (and on K-LOVE all.the.time) that could get my blood pumping at the gym. 

Here's some great options!

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: Higher by Lecrea (ft Tenth Ave North)

:Take Me There by Trip Lee (ft Jimmy Needham {who I heart})

: I Will Find You by Jimmy Needham (feating Lecrea {who the hubs hearts})

: Hanging On by Britt Nicole

: Tell The World by Lecrea

: No Matter What by Kerrie Roberts

: Grace Amazing by Jimmy Needham 

: Surrender by Beckah Shae

: Favorite Song by Toby Mac

: Love Is All by Je'kob

: Please Don't Let Me Go by Group 1 Crew

: Boasting by Lecrea (featuring Anthony Evans)

: Eye On It by Toby Mac

Can't Have My Soul by Je'Kob

And here's my best "warm up/cool down" music. It's actually been an awesome time for me to worship Jesus while I'm totally concentrated on Him. 

: Awake My Soul by Chris Tomlin (featuring Lecrea)

: Come Thou Fount by Trinity Grace Church 

I'd love your suggestions on this! I'm always looking for fun, fresh and godly music to fill me up!

Don't forget to follow me via Bloglovin! 

My Favorite Workouts

I don't always love to workout. 

It's hard, it's uncomfortable, it's awkward (especially in a gym), it's sticky, and smelly. But it works.

The hardest part is getting the motivation to actually go to the gym.

But to be honest, I love it when I'm there (98% of the time). I love the sweat, the soreness, and the endorphins it produces. I also love to eat without feeling like it's just going strait to my love handles. 

I think it's hard for women to get started because they don't really know where to begin. To be honest, this is one of the toughest things for me to. For example I love doing weight training and I HATE cardio. But for the ladies, this is proven to be the most beneficial for fat burn. 

So here's a typical routine for me at the gym. And yes…I have to go to the gym..or it won't get done.

20-30 min cardio. 

This is usually jogging or spinning on a bike. 

I was shocked to learn how many calories an intense 20 min workout on a spinning bike could burn! You can tell through the amount of sweat too : ) Here's a link to where you can download a plan you can listen to when you're at the gym. 

I will also do some high intensity interval training for a great and quick cardio workout. 

I sprint the straights of the track and walk the turns for a mile, it takes about 10 min and it produces results so quickly. But it's exhausting…I won't lie. 

You can learn more about that here. 

Then I move into some strength and muscle toning exercises. 

My favs:

Planking

Check out all those muscles it works! I try to hold this as long as I can. I'm usually getting a little shaky when it's done (about 60 seconds at least 3 reps) 

Booty Workout

This one is fast working. You'll feel it the next day for sure!

Find this entire booty workout here. It's my favorite butt exercises! 

Lower Abs

I have abdominal separation after having children, so I have a lower pooch problem. The fat under my belly button is impossible to get rid of. So this is why cardio and working on my lower abs is so important. 

This is a great site for working those lower abs. 

Arms

I tend to build muscle easily and my arms get bulky in no time. I have found that it is crucial that I use light weights (I'm talking 3-5lbs max) with lots and lots of reps. 

Here's a great site for lean arms. 

All Over Body Routine

When I'm at home I also love Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. (That's the link to the actual video you can watch)

20 min of an intense workout and your done. She does an awesome job at mixing cardio with strength and toning. I love a quick and effective workout! 

So there ya have it! These are my favs, and the most effective (for my body at least). 

What are some of your favorites? 

So Weird

Yesterday was weird.
No better way to describe it than "weird".

It started out beautifully. It was 63 degrees by 10am so we spent the morning in the backyard digging up dirt and planting our lettuce seeds.
I heard somebody knocking on my garage door (so weird!) and when I answered it, it was my good friend Sarah and her 4 kids. They all played in the yard for about 45 min then we piled into the car and headed to James school to play with him (he is the PE teacher after all).
I couldn't bring my phone, it was dead (not weird) (I'm terrible with charging it). We  hit crazy traffic in the middle of the afternoon (so weird) and when we got out of the car Micah nearly got ran over by a car (not weird) (we're working on not running into the road…yikes!). Then we found James and he asked what was going on with Micah's eyes. Holy Moly! They were nearly swollen shut!
Seriously!
I scooped up my 40lb 4 year old and began to rush him to the school nurse (praise God for school nurses) who then told us to give him some Benadryl.
Holy crappy mom, batman!
That's how I felt. How did I not see his eyes before we got into the school?
I'll tell you why. I was rushing to get to James, we were late, his lunch was ending, I had a baby, a diaper bag, and a lunch bag in my arms. And I was busy telling Micah that he could get hit by a car.
But you know that moment when something happens, and all sins are forgiven?
He was nearly smushed 2 minutes ago and I was furious about it. Then it switches immediately when you realize the gravity of the moment.
The swelling underneath his eyes subsided but the bruising never seemed to fade and I stayed worried. I ended up taking him to Urgent Care only to leave learning that we just have to let the meds do their work.

These asthma attacks, surgeries, eczema, and now allergic reactions are wearing me thin.
But through all of these things Micah doesn't complain once. Not a word out of him about breathing, itching, and swollen eyes. He truly is so tough. Too tough.
He'll be the kid breaking his collar bone and finishing the game -But God, you don't have to test him in this-
He's Super Micah.

God knew he could handle this, but can I?
I need to learn what's causing this. Time to call the allergist and get this figured out.

The cherry on top of my weird day…..

Jury Duty Summons.

I'm thinking Tina Fey is smart….I might even try this ; )

One more day until the weekend.

We can do this!

Mom's Don't Get Sick Days

It started yesterday. While I was running (which I hate to do in the first place) I had a shooting pain to the left of my belly button. I pushed through it thinking it was just a side stitch.

But then gradually throughout the day it got worse and worse. It got so bad last night that I couldn't sleep, and was shaking in pain. Now the pain is to the right of my belly button and more concentrated on the right side.

I've been to the Dr about this before, and I was told it's just a pulled abdominal muscle. But this time I'm starting to wonder. I've been working out consistently and my abs are gaining a lot of strength. Why  would I pull my muscle without even doing any heavy abdominal workouts?

Ugh….

So today my house will be a mess. My children will be eating dry cereal and granola bars to their hearts content. If only Josiah could change a poopy diaper, then I would be golden!

Too bad I don't have a servant girl.
I mean really James, that's all I want for Christmas.

Then this could be my reality…sleeping in my cozy bed drinking hot tea.

via

But because mom's don't get sick days this is more like my reality…

Hey….at least they are happy….

Under The Knife

What a week. I can't even begin to tell you how tired I am. 

I left for Virginia with my parents early Thursday morning of last week. Arrived back in Colorado early Sunday morning, and took Micah to surgery early Tuesday morning.

He was scheduled to have his adenoids and tonsils removed.

He's such an amazing boy (I know he's mine…but it is the truth).

When we told him we were going to the Dr, he was excited, not nervous or anxious.

After all he's been through he wasn't scared.

This is him before the surgery.

Have you ever had to watch your children go under anesthesia?
It's torture for a parent. To watch them slowly become less lucid and then to see their eyes roll back into their head and know they are out.
I had to watch Josiah do this when he was 2 and had to have a hernia surgery, and again yesterday with Micah.
I can't help but cry. I tried to hold it together, it's just terrifying to see that.

We waited only 20 minutes and they were done. It was truly amazing.
He did great. They removed his very large tonsils and he medium sized adenoids with the hopes of improving his respiratory problems.
We waited a couple of more minutes and then were allowed to go back and see him.
He was eating a popsicle slushy, was very groggy, and asked to do it himself.
The entire time we were there he didn't cry, complain, or whine.
This picture is about 20 minutes after surgery and we tried to get him to sleep. Doesn't Buzz look so comfy to cuddle with?

Then here he was before we left, less than 5 hours after arriving for surgery.

Yep, that's a cheesy grin.

We couldn't believe he wasn't in more pain!

On the way home he threw up in the car due to the anesthesia (and I had a minor panic attack).
But once we were home, you would have never thought he had JUST had surgery.
He was eating anything he could get his hands onto, and even attempted to eat buttered noodles for dinner (but he gave up and opted for yogurt).

I can't believe him.
I am hoping the recovery is this easy. I wasn't expecting it at all. I thought he'd want to cuddle on the couch for 3 days and I'd have to force juice down his throat.
But no, this morning he asked for a cinnamon roll (I soaked it in milk first) and a pop tart (that was a bit more questionable in my eyes).
He's chasing Ella around and hasn't sat still yet.
God is amazing.
The spirit he has given Micah is full of power and strength. He will be a mighty warrior one day.

Micah's verse is proving to be true every day.

2 Timothy 1:7

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline."

Back Again

 It started again on Wednesday.
Ella got a cough and I just knew we were in for it.

We have a history of struggling with colds.

Every time Micah gets a runny nose I have to give him his inhaler. At this point he had not been technically diagnosed as asthmatic; we fixed that this weekend.
On Thursday he got the runny nose and by that afternoon I had to give him his nebulizer.
This was the first time I had to give him this. 3 times I tried with no improvement.

I was praying and praying and praying that we wouldn't have to stay another night. But as soon as we got there he was put onto oxygen. Not a good sign. Then we were admitted for the night. 

This ended up being our most difficult stay yet. 

He was exhausted and manifesting it by fighting every treatment. 

I'll tell you one thing about Micah; he is strong. Really strong. It took 3 of us to pin him down to take his treatments. If you've ever had to hold your child down you know what kind of torture that is for a mother. I'm supposed to protect and comfort him, and instead I'm holding his arms and head still. 

It was miserable.

He was then officially diagnosed as having asthma and given more steroids and a daily inhaler.

We were released 24 hours into our stay and I have never been happier to be home.

Then…

Just 18 hours later I was on my way back to Children's Hospital with Josiah. 

He seemed to be struggling to breath. I didn't know if I was being paranoid, but something didn't seem right. 

His oxygen was ok when we got in (93), but he was retracting (he was pulling from his abdomen when he took breaths) and his respiratory rate was right around 44 (normal is around 22).

So they began treating it like an asthma attack.
Seriously, Lord? I was just here. With a different child. Why? 
I was fried. My nerves were gone. I had nothing left to give.
When the Dr came in and said we would probably be admitted to for the night I cried. How awful is that? I cried in front of Josiah, who was being so strong. I just couldn't bear the thought that this was happening all over again.

It started to look better. Like we wouldn't have to stay the night.
Then it got worse. Much worse.
He spiked a temperature. And began to look really miserable.
He didn't complain once. Not once. He's amazing.
But he was having an allergic reaction to the medicine that made him turn red. BRIGHT RED.

They took him off of the continuous medicine and he improved drastically.
He was diagnosed as having an asthma attack due to an atypical pneumonia.
They gave him an antibiotic and tylanol and he was feeling like himself again.
They ended up letting us leave right around 1:30 AM.

But it's so strange to have two kids on the same medication for two separate visits to the hospital.
It has truly been one of the hardest weekends of our lives.
I am happy to be home; but I'm still struggling to recover.

Sometimes it's really hard to see the Lord's plan in certain situations. I know he is in control. But I won't lie…I'm a bit perturbed and tired.
But God is good. All the time.

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.