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A Peek Into My Life This Past Week (+ our current daily schedule)

Welcome to my weekly post where we take a break from money-related posts and I share about what I’m loving right now and give you a little peek into our life from the past week.

What I Read Recently

Books read this week:

  • Life After — a great read suggested to me by Anne Bogel (You know it was good because I stayed up until 1 am to finish it!)
  • The Unhurried Homeschooler — some of this book felt a little too legalistic for me and some of her suggestions/principles would not work well for certain of my kids because of their personality types, but I still thought there was some valuable information in this book and would recommend it if you are a homeschooler or are seriously considering homeschooling. (However, as always, remember there are no one-size-fits-all plans! Do what works best for your own family!)

{See my Reading Goals for 2017. Also, see the 61 books I’ve read so far in 2017 here.}

What Our Schedule Looks Like Right Now

So many of you have asked for details on our current schedule. Because you’ve begged, I’m going to share it, but with this caveat: even though this has been working for us, I reserve the right to change it anytime if it stops working!

6-7:40 am — Up, ready for the day, breakfast, and family time.

7:40 am-1 pm — Drop kids off at school & go to work on blog/business stuff at my employee’s house while Jesse homeschools Kaitlynn (they usually make dinner together during this time, too).

1-2:30 pm — Homeschool Kaitlynn (Jesse leaves to spend the afternoon working/running errands/going to Crossfit, etc.)

2:30-4 pm — Pick kids up from school, cleaning/laundry/chore time.

4-6 pm — Free time (I usually hang with the kids, finish a few tasks, and have time to chill or take a nap).

6 pm — Dinner and family Bible time.

6:30-8 pm — Jesse hang out with the kids and I finish blogging work OR family time/evening activities.

8-9 pm — Kids to bed, hang out with Jesse.

9-10:30 pm — Exercise, shower, reading, to bed.

There you have it! Remember: this is what is working for our family, right now in this season. It’s subject to change when it stops working! 😉

What I’m Celebrating

Almost exactly one year ago, I gave up coffee.

I never thought I could do it. It was excruciating for the first few weeks and I actually cried during my detox because I missed it so much.

But one year later, I don’t even miss it. I still love the smell, but I have discovered I’m so much calmer and less anxious without it. Plus, I sleep so much better!

You guys. I never thought I could survive and THRIVE without my daily doses of caffeine in a cup.

But I did. I have. And I AM! And it makes me feel so empowered to try other things that I never thought I could do!

What I’ve Been Pondering

No matter what I say or do or don’t say or don’t do, someone is bothered, upset, offended, or disappointed. I’m sure you’ve experienced that, too, in your life!

Someone asked me the other day how I deal with negative comments. Here’s what has helped me:

1) Don’t be surprised or offended. Part of the nature of putting out words on the internet means that not everyone is going to like or agree with you. Accept this.

2) Look for the nuggets of truth. Ask myself, “Is there truth in their words that I need to pay attention to?”

3) Don’t defend myself. I have a policy to never defend myself on the internet. Sometimes, things need to be clarified or responded to — but I commit to wait to respond until I can do it with grace and love for the person.

4) Believe the best. Always assume someone is using a kind tone of voice when they write and have your best interests at heart. Don’t make up stories or read into things.

5) Remember the truth. When I stay focused on my identity in Christ and how much I am loved and forgiven by Him, I don’t have to feel stressed, upset, or hurt by negative comments from others. I can rest in His finished work on the Cross and the fact that I am enough in Him!

What I’m Learning as a Mom

The knock came on our bedroom door and I was instantly annoyed. It was after bedtime, it had been a long day, and I was really, really ready for the kids to be asleep.

I opened the door in a bit of a huff and almost said gruffly, “What are you doing?!? Don’t you know it’s bedtime? Get in bed!!”

But before those words could come out of my mouth, I stopped myself and looked into my child’s eyes. And I saw sadness and hurt written all over their face.

“Can I come in?” They asked sheepishly. All of my annoyance melted away as my child shared their heart with me while cuddled up on my bed.

About 20 minutes later, they headed back to their bed with a smile on their face. You guys. I almost missed this beautiful conversation and opportunity to love on my child!

Motherhood is exhausting, I get that. As an introvert, it’s easy to feel people-d out and just want space. And I think it’s important to take time to refuel and recharge — but not at the expense of our kid’s hearts.

Here’s what I’m reminding myself: really look into their eyes. Really pay attention to what’s going on in their hearts. And be willing to bend the bedtime rules a little sometimes in favor of communicating to a child how much they are loved.

What’s Been on My Heart Recently

You guys. I’ve waited to say anything because I didn’t want to just add noise to the online space. But after a very heartfelt conversation with our kids about the events of last weekend, the words came and they were this…

Ultimately, I can’t fix or change anything or anyone else but me. The racial divides and hatred and anger… I can’t magically take it away.

But here’s what I CAN do: I can look for those who are lonely, left out, and hurting. I can look into their eyes, let them know that they matter, and offer my friendship.

I can raise my kids to know that ALL people are worthy of kindness and love. That ostracizing and marginalizing is not okay. That it only hurts.

I can pursue peace, believe the best, love wholeheartedly, give generously, and extend grace willingly.

I can’t change the world, but I CAN go out and love my neighbor and encourage my kids to do the same. Will you join me?

Links You Should Check Out:

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10 Tips to Plan A Birthday Party on a Budget

Guest post from Erin of Perfectly Port Family:

We are in the thick of birthday party season around our house. We have 3 children and all of them have birthdays within a 3-month span. We love to celebrate them on their special day, but between presents and festivities, our budget can easily be blown if I am not careful.

Over the years, I have adopted some principles that help us keep birthday parties a celebration for each child while not breaking the bank.

Here are my top 10 tips for planning a birthday party on a budget!

1. Find Inspiration

Incorporate what your child loves. What do THEY want to do at their party? This year, my son wanted a basketball party and my oldest daughter wanted a Shopkins theme and hair chalking as an activity.

Once you know what your child wants, you can head over to Pinterest to gather up inspiration for invitations, decorations, games and food.

2. Pick a Budget and Stick to It

If you know your budget on the onset, that can inform your purchases as you prepare for your party. You can have a party on a very small budget using stuff you already have!

3. Pick a Budget-Friendly Location

If your house doesn’t work for your party, there are many places like parks and churches that will let you rent the space for a nominal fee or a security deposit you will likely get back if you clean up!

This year we reserved the gym at my husband’s work for my son’s basketball themed party. It was free to use as long as we clean up afterwards!

4. Choose a Budget-Friendly Time

Parties in the morning or the afternoon mean you don’t have to serve a meal, which can become quite costly.

If you want to have your party at a location that costs money, sometimes the prices vary based on times. You might choose a time that fits within your budget.

5. Make Your Own Invitations

Once you have the location and time squared away, it’s time to invite your guests.

I love using canva.com to create my own invitations that I print at home on cardstock paper. Once we cut them out, my kids are always anxious to skip the mailbox and hand deliver the invites to their friends!

You could also create a free online invitation. We have been invited to several parties that way!

6. Reuse Decor and Shop Your House

Over the years, I have purchased decorations that are not theme-specific, so I can reuse them for parties in the future. Instead of buying a theme-specific birthday banner, choose one with complimentary colors that you can reuse.

Choose a couple of items to be theme specific, maybe the napkins and/or plates and then reuse decor in similar colors.

Remember to also shop your house for decor that you already have that relates to that theme. My daughter has a Shopkins blanket, pillow and lots of figurines that she can’t wait to incorporate as party decorations.

7. Make the Cake

Bakery cakes are so cute but can be SO expensive.

You might choose, instead, to buy a boxed cake mix. You can find fun cupcake liners in coordinating colors or you can even make some cupcake decoration picks to stick on top. You might even have a figurine in your toy box you could stick on top of the cake.

8. Reimagine Popular Games to Fit Your Theme

Party games are a great way to have some fun. Traditional party games can be tweaked a bit to fit any theme.

We plan to play “pin the Shopkin to the shelf” which is a variation of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”. Pinterest has lots of great ideas for games using items you already have around the house.

9. Gift Purposeful Parting Gift

It tends to be tradition to give guests a gift — but they can become quite costly. Consider if there’s a way you could incorporate your parting gift into your party.

For example, you could create your own coloring book related to your theme for each guest to color at the party and then take with them. My daughter was invited to a painting party and she brought home a canvas she painted. We made personalized water bottles (from the dollar store) for my son’s basketball party and they will serve as both their drink for the party and their parting gift!

10. Perspective

It’s so easy to feel pressured to create “Pin-worthy” parties or compete with other birthday parties you see on social media. You can make a party fun on any budget. Incorporate your kids in on the process and they will be so excited for their special day.

Birthday parties are a great way to celebrate your child and can be memory-filled no matter what your budget is!

Happy birthday party planning on a budget!

Erin is an Iowa girl, wife, and mom of 3. She blogs at Perfectly Port Family, where she encourages women to keep on keeping on with a joyful, faith-filled life. You will find practical tips and encouragement on motherhood, marriage, organization and keeping your house running with children while making memories. She loves McDonald’s french fries and ath-leisure wear — even if she isn’t working out!

photo source

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Brigette’s $39 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

After looking through my refrigerator, pantry and freezers – I realized we have lots of food that needs to be used up, and not much food we needed to buy at the grocery store this week. My youngest had his tonsils out this week, so we’ve had people show up unexpectedly with food gifts. It felt weird to have so little in my grocery cart this week. 🙂

Aldi

4 dozen Eggs – $2.68

1 8-oz pkg Cream Cheese – $0.79

2 1-lb pkgs Butter – $4.90

1 16-oz carton Egg Whites – $1.89

1 32-oz carton Greek Yogurt – $3.49

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $1.79

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.29

2 pkgs String Cheese – $4.58

1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.99

1 bag Potatoes – $2.69

1 bag Green Grapes (2.88lb @ $0.79/lb) – $2.28

3 large Zucchini (from a friend’s garden)

Total: $28.37


Harris Teeter

1 box Honey Nut Cheerios – $1.84, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.84 after coupon

2 boxes Annie’s Organic Cereal – $5.00, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled), plus $1.00/1 evic – $2.00/2 after coupons

1 box Cascadian Farm Organic Granola – $2.50, used $1.00/1 printable, plus $1.00/1 evic – $0.50 after coupon

2 boxes Lance’s Peanut Butter Crackers – $3.48, used $1.00/2 Lance Sandwich Cracker Variety – 7-23-17 RP; Includes 8.4 – 30.3 oz Only (exp. 08/27/17), plus $1.00/2 Ibotta rebate – $1.48/2 after coupon and rebate

2 Arnold’s Sandwich Thins – $3.98, used 2 $0.55/1 Arnold Bread Products – 6-11-17 SS or SS 8/13 (exp. 09/11/17) (doubled), plus receive 2 $0.75/1 Ibotta rebates -$0.28/2 after coupon and rebate

4 Larabars – $4.00, used 2 $0.50/2 printable (doubled), plus $0.50/2 evic – $2.50/4 after coupons

1 Butterball Turkey Bacon – $2.50, used $0.55/1 Butterball Turkey Bacon – 6-25-17 SS (exp. 08/20/17) (doubled) – $1.40 after coupon

1 Butterball Dinner Sausage – $2.50, used $0.55/1 Butterball Dinner Sausage – 6-25-17 SS (exp. 08/20/17) (doubled) – $1.40 after coupon

1 Sargento Balanced Breaks – $3.00, used $0.75/1 Sargento Balanced Breaks – 8-13-17 SS; DND (exp. 10/14/17) (doubled), plus $0.75/1 evic – $0.75 after coupons

Total after Coupons and Rebates – $11.15

Grocery Total for the Week: $39.52

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

(My older 3 children are all old enough now to make and clean up their own breakfast. We are starting school this week, and it’s easier for me to let them do this, rather than me making the same breakfast for everyone.)

Choices include:

Cereal, Fruit, Yogurt, Hard Boiled or Fried Eggs, Oatmeal, Zucchini Bread

Lunches

Baked Potato Bar, Grapes x 2

Peanut Butter Crackers, Cheese Sticks, Carrots, Apples x 2

Leftovers x 3

Dinners

Pizza Bierocks, Green Beans

Best Chicken Pot Pie, Tossed Salad, Fruit

Hamburgers on the Grill with Homemade Buns, Roasted Broccoli, Baked Potato Wedges

Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Homemade French Bread, Tossed Salad

Grilled Hobo Packets, Peaches

Cabbage Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Homemade French Bread

Leftovers

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