Monthly Menu Plan-June 2016

Greetings, Chaotics!
This month's menu is centered around two things.
1. I am trying to get my grocery bill under $400 this month to meet our family's Summer Budget Challenge goal.
2. I am also trying to use up items in our freezers because we are going to need the room for the produce we're attempting to grow.
With these two things in mind, most of the meat items we already had from previous sales, and most of the fruit items we had from(dare I say?) last summer- this early spring and have been chillin' in our freezer this whole time or were from cans I got on sale that happened to be hanging around in our pantry.
If you see a meal that you'd like the recipe for, please comment and let me know!
Enjoy!

Week 1- May 30-June 5
Breakfast 
M-F: Hard Boiled Eggs and a banana
Saturday: Sausage and Egg Sandwich on either toast, bagel, or English Muffin
Sunday: Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, Papa Bear Pancakes, Sausage

Lunch
M-F: Pinto Beans and Brown Rice
Saturday: Leftover Pizza
Sunday: Leftovers

Dinner
Monday: Memorial Day BBQ(BBQ Chicken, Hot Dogs, Cheddar Wurst, Hamburgers, Corn on the Cob, Salad, Baked Potatoes, Watermelon)
Tuesday: BBQ Chicken Salad
Wednesday: Cheese Burgers and Fries
Thursday: Baked Potato Buffet
Friday: Cheesesteak Pizza, Pull-Apart Bread
Saturday: Son's birthday meal(Cheeseburgers, Jo-Jo's, BBQ Chips, Salad, Ice Cream, Birthday Cake)
Sunday: Leftovers

Week 2- June 6-12
Breakfast
M-F: Plum Bread
Saturday: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on Bagel OR Muffins
Sunday: Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Papa Bear Pancakes, Homefries

Lunch
M-F: PB&J Sandwiches, Pretzels, Carrot Sticks
Saturday: Leftover Pizza
Sunday: Leftovers

Dinner
Monday: Salmon Patties, Rice, Peas
Tuesday: Corn Chowder, Whole Wheat Biscuits
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Chicken and Pepperoni, Rice
Thursday: Lentil Rice Casserole
Friday: Fruit Cookie "Pizza"
Saturday: No dinner prep. Invited to Pastor's House. Dessert- Strawberry No-bake Cheesecake.
Sunday-No Dinner Prep. Father's Day BBQ @Church. Dessert- Strawberry No-Bake Cheesecake

Week 3-June 13-19
Breakfast
M-F: Apple/Pear Crisp
Saturday: Sausage, Egg, and Cheese on English Muffin
Sunday: Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Homefries, Papa Bear Pancakes

Lunch
M-F: PB&J, Popcorn, Homemade Mac N' Cheese w/ peas and corn
Saturday: Pizza Leftovers
Sunday: Leftovers

Dinner
Monday: Zucchini and Corn Quesadillas, Rice
Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie, Salad
Wednesday: Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs
Thursday: Chili Dogs, Corn on the Cob, baked Potatoes
Friday: Double Bacon(Canadian and Regular) Three Cheese Pizza, Pull-Apart Bread, Salad
Saturday: (Celebrating Father's Day) Lasagna, Cheese-Stuffed Pull-Apart Bread, Ice Cream Lasagna
Sunday: Leftovers

Week 4- June 20-26
Breakfast
M-F: Peach Bread
Saturday: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on Wheat Toast
Sunday: Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Homefries, Papa Bear Pancakes

Lunch
M-F: PB&J, 15 Bean Soup
Saturday: Pizza Leftovers
Sunday: Leftovers

Dinner
Monday: 15 Bean Sausage Soup, Corn Bread
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Lemon-Garlic Chicken, Brown Rice, Green Beans
Wednesday: Turkey Burgers, Home Fries, Carrots
Thursday: Homemade Mac and Cheese with Corn and Peas
Friday: BBQ Chicken Pizza, Pull Apart Bread, Salad
Saturday: Salisbury Steaks w/ gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Peas&Carrots, Apple Pie
Sunday: Leftovers

Week 5-June 27-July 3
Breakfast
M-F: Strawberry and Oatmeal Bread
Saturday: Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Burritos
Sunday: Bacon, Home Fries, Papa Bear Pancakes

Lunch
M-F: PB&J, Chicken&Orzo Soup
Saturday: Pizza Leftovers
Sunday: Leftovers

Dinner
Monday: Pinto Beans and Rice, Corn Bread
Tuesday: Chicken and Orzo Soup, Rolls
Wednesday: French Toast w/ Strawberries in Syrup
Thursday: Creamy Sausage and Tomato Skillet
Friday: Breakfast Pizza, Cheddar-Garlic Biscuits, Salad
Saturday: null and Chips, Ice Cream
Sunday: Leftovers

Until Next Time,

~Mama Jenn

Sometimes I Wish I Were a Stepford Robot-Real Talk Moment about Infertility

Greetings Chaotics,
Today, I may come across as crazy(although THAT would be nothing new), or to some women out there, I may appear completely sane.
Today, I'm going to talk about...babies.
And why, since I currently cannot have any, why sometimes....
Sometimes....
I wish I were a Stepford Robot.
Okay, first off, I dont want to put myself in the group of women who want to have children but for things/ reasons beyond their control they cannot. I almost didn't say the Infertility word, because I feel like I'm sort of slapping those women in the face that actually ARE infertile beyond their control. But, I don't know what other word to call this. Unfertile(?) Unable(?)
Before I get started, I have to confess something.
Some of you may of followed me on social media and I may of danced around it but never actually admitted it. Others may of just assumed, while others still may have no clue. So, with a sad heart, I confess something I don't boast publically....
After my third child was born, I...got my tubes tied. I did it for all the wrong reasons. I don't take pride in it, and never fully had. I was very ashamed to get it done, and since I met Aaron and felt God calling us to be more...I feel even worse.
I can't speak for everyone woman that's had this done. I can only speak for myself and how I feel on it.
Getting my tubes tied was something that was....more or less forced down my throat after child number two was born. I felt weird even back then....here I was, a single mom, who loved having babies. Not because I wanted to be on welfare or use them as some sick pawn to keep a man. But simply because.....I freaking love babies. I could of cared less if the father stayed or not. I just love babies. I love being a mother to a baby, a toddler, a preschooler, an early elementary, a middle schooler....I love all the stages I've dealt with this far. I freaking love kids.
But, despite my love for babies, I had next to no means to provide for them. I didn't fully believe in God back then, so when people reminded me of the financial struggles I was going through, I didn't have faith to trust that a higher power would provide a way, or even hold onto hope that the father would stay around and provide. I just knew....I loved raising and growing babies. I was young and the people pleaser in me was strong.
So, when EVERYONE(I kid you not) was saying/suggesting and pleading/screaming with me to just get my tubes tied because it would be stupid of me to attempt to add more when I had zero dollars to support them....I complied. When my third child was born, and after the surgery, I cried.
But those around me nodded their heads in approval....then walked away.
For years, I felt so embarrassed. Even though I was far from conservative, much less a Christian, I felt incomplete. A half woman. I mean....aside from boobs, which even some men have, what separates us from men, if not only the ability to be pregnant and give birth? What man would willingly marry me, if I couldn't give him children? I felt like leftover, damaged goods.
I can't tell you the many times I cried over it....the many times I STILL cry over it. It hurts even more so that I'm now blessed with a wonderful husband that wants nothing more than to get me pregnant but can't because of a stupid decision I made to please no one that really mattered.
I go through this time every single month. Praying, begging God to do just ONE more miracle in my life. I confuse the signs that I'm about to get my monthly with that of being pregnant, and my heart thinks, maybe this is it! Maybe God HAS heard my prayer and will remove this guilt and shame I've had all this time! Maybe God is going to give us another blessing! 
But, of course, he doesn't, I get my monthly, and tears of anger at myself and the regret of a decision years ago just come flooding back for one hellish week every.single.month. I want so badly to get mad at God, but I know I can't. Regardless of the reasoning, I did this to myself. I was the one who agreed and signed on the dotted line.
And yes, I could and Lord willing one day will get them untied. But as I see our financial goals and all that we plan to accomplish in the next 5-7 years, it seems stupid/selfish of me to ask for $10,000 or more to fly to another part of the country and get it done. With no guarantee that I will get pregnant, as my age and time since getting it done may hinder their ability to even reverse it.
This yearning in my heart for more children is so strong, it hurts. Each time I get my monthly, I beg God, please, just take this overwhelming desire away. Let me be content with the three blessings you have given me, even while I didn't acknowledge you. Let me just accept it. Remove this pain of my decision and give me peace that my body will probably never bear more blessings.
But, for whatever reason, he doesn't. I don't always understand or even try to fully grasp God's ways, but dang it....this really hurts.
And every spring, it seems like....everything screams baby and new life. Someone is ALWAYS pregnant, someone is ALWAYS just having a baby. And while I am so, so, so happy that they are welcoming another blessing into their family....a part of me feels empty and just sad. I probably will never have that again. My husband and I will never know what it feels like to have  the whole process from conception to adulthood, together.  He has his, and I have mine, but we'll never have an "ours". We treat each other's children as our own, I am very grateful for that, but at the same time, we won't have that child or children that is part his and part mine biologically.....
That's why, at least in this regard, I wish I could be a Stepford Robot. I wish there was a chip I could remove from my brain.....like a "desires baby" chip. I wish I could just go to a Stepford doctor and have it removed and just be programmed to be content and happy with just the children God gave us.
Anyone know a doctor that could do that? No?
I kid, of course.
But sometimes....I really wish it were that easy.
Anyone else have this struggle?

Blessings Until Next Time,
~Mama Jenn
P.S.-sorry for any potential grammar, etc. Issues in this post. I'm typing this using my tablet, which I don't usually publish on and it's hard to figure out how to correct things on here.

Stepford Chronicles- Work Out!

Greetings, Chaotics!

This week, I thought I'd share this month's workout videos.

I was going to do this last week...but that horrible thing that happens every month decided to make a visit...plus, my landlady decided that we needed new vinyl on our kitchen and small bathroom floors, and a new toilet, too....which meant not only was I doing my usual cleaning, but also my "company is coming and they're making a mess!" cleaning....

Needless to say, last week was not a prime time to work out.

But, it's Monday, no one is anticipated to come to my home to fix anything(that I know of), and after seeing my recent stats, I thought, well, I guess everyone else is anxious to get some workouts in, too!

 While I'm sure in Stepford they actually have a gym...I do not, nor can I afford one.
But, as with most things....thank God for the internet! You may not be able to afford a gym membership, either, and guess what? That's okay. I won't judge you for it, because I'm right there with you!

So, get your bare feet, your workout shoes, ballet shoes, or whatever you use to get in gear...and let's get a'sweatin'!

Get er' done, girl! ;)

I choose a lot of Denise Austin, in case you were wondering. Even before Stepford, I loved this woman, because she makes you feel like no matter where you're at fitness-wise, you can do it. But that aside, if Stepford was an actual place and was in need of a fitness guru, I'm pretty sure they'd select her. She's so cheery and never really forcing you to do anything more than you're able.

I compiled my weekly list into playlists on Youtube-
Week 1: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqTynh9sEiQYeGnClxBx1PfQT90V7HOnx
Week 2: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqTynh9sEiQZhoxlbAJCR6vn4w94vZnSS
Week 3: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqTynh9sEiQZ6Ore5HQElM_SGCYEbKX-b
Week 4:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqTynh9sEiQZhuumP0egRSw6K0eW1So8Q
*Side Note*
Yes, I know my week 2 workout only has 2 workouts. I have an actual Jack LaLanne Channel on my Roku that does the workouts according to day, but I couldn't find the same workouts on Youtube for some reason. *cue massive sad face*
If you want a little more variety, I have a random "Workout" Playlist that you can choose from for the rest of the week if you don't own a Roku-
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqTynh9sEiQYxQCl5LBeDCLmoKU9jSwMt

And, if you have itty-bitties at home and they want to join in on the fun, here's a channel playlist that I personally love to do with my kids(very easy for adults, but fun nonetheless!)-
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8snGkhBF7njTT4a7uqDiUB1qPBI4ZOBL

Yes, my goal is to workout five days this week. As long as nothing cries out in rebellion, anyways....

What are you gals doing this week to keep fit? I'd love to hear about it!

Until Next Time,

~Mama Jenn

Stepford Wives Challenge

 

Greetings, Chaotics!  

I'm having a bit(okay, a lot) of cabin fever. I got into an argument with my husband....my house is a mess...and my kids are being slight...pains in the behind. So, maybe my whole house is having cabin fever.
Recently, I watched the "horror" movie, The Stepford Wives. Don't ask.
Bet some of you didn't know the original(1974 version) was a horror movie, did you?
You're googling it now, aren't you? (O.O)
........or, maybe that's just me (*-_-).
Anyways, I know several of you may not of even seen any of the movies(FYI-there's four. Yes, four). But y'all know the idea, right? Pretty much any wife who is a housewife/stay-at-home mom has been, at one point or another, been accussed of being one. And usually in a demeaning or belittling way.
So, after watching the first(and fourth) and almost vomiting at the second, I got to thinking...what IS the big deal?
Granted, I know they are robots in the first, drugged in the second, and computer programmed in the fourth(spoiler alert. You're welcome.). And yes, I think its awful that the men they trusted did that to them against their will. I'm not arguing that.


Creepiest.Scene.Ever.

However, the notion that women who enjoy being at home...putting their husbands and children before themselves...that enjoy and passionately pursue cooking and cleaning...that they are somehow weird or not living up to their full "modern woman" potential...that I DO disagree with.
Please don't get me wrong. While I don't agree with the modern feminist movement, I do think that, the main idea was that women could and should choose to do what they wanted.
So...why is it that if women WILLINGLY, ON THEIR OWN choose to stay at home and make the home their vocation, they don't fit the feminist agenda?

Okay, rant over.  

Regardless, this movie got me thinking.
I am a housewife. As you can see in my first statement, I don't quite fit the bill for a robotic-perfectionist-type of woman. So, no my husband isn't putting me up to this. And even if he did, I don't even know how much something like that would cost...but either way, we probably couldn't afford it. I think they charge extra to convert plus-size gals like me.

But if I could spit out money, that'd be kinda worth it.

*Kidding*
But in all seriousness, with my husband and I butting heads, and me having to yell at the kids to clean up their messes every...five seconds...is it so awful to imagine that, maybe..maybe...the idea of willingly being a Stepford Wife...is not all bad? That maybe it's not the kids or my husband, but actually just...ME? That maybe if I change into something a bit more humbling, a bit more feminine...maybe our home will change, too?
So, I got to thinking. What if, for 30 days, I became a Stepford Wife?

Yes, cabin fever has hit full force. And, I love that dress!


I googled about it and it turns out, there are other wives that willingly chose to become Stepford Wives. Not as a challenge, but as a literal way of life.
And while a few of those websites may be...well, actually written by men, most are written by women and only a very small few are actual satire. The remaining actually live this out or progressing towards living this out.
So, with this in mind, I thought what if, for the month of January, I actually transport myself into a Stepford Wife?
Would my husband actually love it? Would my kids? Would I?
I am going to be using this website as my "rules" for the month(they have a more detailed list when discussing the Stepford Wives Book here. You have to scroll down a little.).
And while doing the challenge, I decided to actually finish(yes, because I've only had it for over a year and all) "Created to Be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. While they do have a recommended reading list(which, if I were doing this longer, I'd start to acquire), I felt like this book would be better suited for a monthly challenge since 1. I already own it and 2. I'm trying to focus more attention on my personal issue of proper submission than trying to obtain robotic-like perfection in manners and grace.

Although, a bit more fairy dust in the grace and manners department wouldn't kill me.

And I'm going to upload my daily thoughts on the challenge on my YouTube Channel here.
What are your thoughts? Is this a form of insanity/cabin fever? Or is it just a glorified version of the same old song and dance(i.e. Biblical Submission, etc.)? Do you know anyone who is a proud Stepford wannabe?
Until Next Time,
Mama Jenn