Camp Tanako

Mom, Sandra, and I went to a Scrapbooking Retreat this past weekend.  The weather was perfect and cool.  This was probably my most favorite relaxing crop in a long time.  We had our own room to crop in with plenty of space.  The food was delicious, and the cabins were clean and comfy.  It was a nice getaway to get caught up on my scrapbooking.

                                                                        Our cabin

Kingston's Sick Day

Kingston ended up having a stomach bug a few weeks ago.  Since he couldn't go to daycare, and Mom was sick- Aunt Melissa or "Isis" as he calls me wanted to keep him.  He played for 3 days with the same cars toy.  That was the best 5 dollars I've ever spent!  We ate bland- and found out he loves chicken and stars soup! I even showed him how Uncle "Gook" puts crackers in his soup.  He thought it was fun crunching the Ritz with his spoon.

  We watched a movie- Spirit.  It's a horse Disney Movie.  I forgot that I cry in all animal movies.  So, during the movie, he would come over and pat my knee and say, "It's OK Isis"  It was too cute.  I love keeping Kingston anytime!

Mom's Birthday Surprise

For Mom's birthday this year, some of the bible study ladies gathered here for a surprise road trip.  We went to A to Z in Alma.  What Mom didn't know was that Aunt JJ, Ma, Aunt Viv, and Mary Jo were all there to meet us.  Mom was shocked!  After shopping, we headed over to the BBQ Cafe to eat lunch.  We had BBQ, burgers, nachos, etc.  We celebrated Mom's birthday with a chocolate peanut butter pie.  It was so good! Well, for most of us.  Poor Berta didn't have a good day at all!!!!

                                                     Mom when she saw everyone!

                                                          Aunt JJ, Aunt Viv, and Ma

Kingston's 2nd Birthday

I've been behind on blogging due to computer issues.  However, it helps to have a handyman that can fix things like that!  Kingston's party was a Thomas the Train theme.  He just loves Thomas.  Sandra Dumond made his cake- which was precious.  I worked all week long on knitting him a lion- which he loved!  He even made the lion sound when he opened it.  He loved throwing all the wrapping paper on the floor.  Mom made spaghetti with all the fixings.  It was fun to visit with Melanie and Dana too- as they were there to celebrate his special day.  Can't believe he's already 2!

Waiting.....

Can I just say that I hate waiting?!?!  Today marks the first day of school for many kiddos in Arkansas.  I loved seeing everyone's pictures on facebook today.  However, it left me thinking about our kiddos.  Were they starting a new school today?  How did they do?  Were their names written on every single crayon- so they wouldn't lose them?  Did they have a new outfit to wear, and a big breakfast to start their day off right?

It's hard to know that our kids are out there- with someone else for now.  We pray every night for them, that they are safe and loved.   Right now, Luke and I are in the waiting period of this whole process.  Actually- it's been that way from the beginning.  We waited for the informational meeting, waited for our home study, waited to hear back from our adoption specialist....all this waiting.  I can't help but wonder when it will all end- when we can meet our kiddos and be a family with them. Not a day goes by that Luke and I don't talk about our kiddos- or wonder what they are doing and where they are at. 

All we know is someday, we'll have the kids the Lord wants us to have and hold.  We'll be a forever family!  We can take them to the zoo, Silver Dollar City, and anywhere else we want to go!  And honestly, I cannot WAIT for that day!!!!  What a happy day it will be in the Williams household.  Whether it's 3 kids or 2, we'll finally be a family!!!  I can't wait!  So for now,  I'll try to find joy in the waiting. 

The song verse comes to mind- "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord..."  Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna be one strong woman when we finally do get kids- and I think I'll need all the strength from Him when that time does come!

Our Final Home Study Visit

Yesterday morning, we had our final home study visit.  To say I'm glad that part is over is an understatement.  To have a stranger look through your home is a little nerve wrecking.  In the back of my mind, I always wonder- "Did we pass this test?"  "Are we qualified yet?  Because we've sure done a whole lot for this!"  The questions they ask you, or make your write down is ridiculous and so personal.  But, as my friend Russ reminded me- they have to ask those questions because somewhere down the road, some crazy person tried to adopt kids...makes total sense!

Hopefully by the end of next week, we'll be considered "open" in the system.  That means we can be eligible to become matches with kids.  Who knows how long it will take- it's all part of a waiting game.  After the lady left yesterday, I really couldn't describe what I was feeling.  I was overwhelmed at the whole process all over again.  I kept thinking- we've done this much...gone through a lot of personal questions...and what if we don't get what we want in the end?

Then, Luke answered my question.  He told me when we got all 5 dogs- we didn't know what we were getting into.  We've gone through a LOT with them all.  They are all special needs, and they aren't purebreds by any means.  We didn't know what we wanted then- and we don't know what we want now.  However, the Lord knows.  He knew we could handle the craziness that comes with having 5 special needs dogs.  He also has provided for their every need.  So, if He can do that with our four legged babies, why would He not do that with our kids?

So for now, we'll continue to wait on Him.  I'm excited right now, but reserved.  It's all so much to put into words.  Thankfully, the Lord knows my heart, and He loves me no matter what!

Monthly Menu Planning....

I've been asked by several people how I go about shopping for a whole month!  It's really easy- takes a little time and thought- but so worth it when it saves you money in the long run.

I start each month by labeling a blank calendar with meals for every night of the week- yes, that's 7 nights a week.  Then, I add up how many proteins, veggies, starch, etc. it is for the month.

For example: Here's my menu for August:

When I make a menu for the month, I pick things that we love to eat every month!  Meatloaf is a favorite as well as Sweet and Sour chicken.  I also try and pick several crockpot recipes- because we all need those for busy nights.  I then tally up how many chicken breast that is, meat- either beef or ground turkey, veggies, rice, etc.

I will then make a grocery list from this menu.  I tend to buy frozen chicken breast cutlets- they are thinner and less expensive than breasts.  Also, if a meal calls for shredded chicken- I have that separate in baggies.  I will buy usually every other month a whole chicken.  I boil it and pick it clean.   Then, I divide that meat into baggies- I can usually get 4-5 meals of shredded chicken off of a whole chicken.  It's not a ton of meat per meal, but it's enough to usually use for any recipe.

I then compare my list to what I already have on hand.  Sometimes, I have meals leftover from the previous month- which is great!  I can just add that to the next month- and know I already have that on hand.

We don't eat everything on here for one month.  Usually, we'll go out to eat some- but for the most part, we eat on this menu.  Once we finish a meal from here- I scratch it off.  This way I have 30 meals for the month and don't have to follow this menu to the exact day.

I still have to buy perishable items throughout the month- like milk, bread, and eggs.  But, for the most part I only go maybe 2-3 times after my big shopping event.  This has really saved Luke and I over 100 bucks a month on our grocery budget.  It's really worth it!

I usually have our favorite recipes memorized- because I've made them so much!  However, if it's a pinterest recipe- I always write it or print it out- and attach it to my menu. 


Hope that helps explain how to do monthly shopping!