It’s another mixed up week for us here. Last night Stephen took Caleb to the emergency room. Turns out he has bronchiolitis like Anna had three weeks ago, but from a different virus. We know how to treat it this time, but his wheezing was MUCH worse than Anna’s was. On the other hand, knowing he’s contagious changes our schedule a bit to keep my music families from being exposed to the virus too.

This is the meal plan as I wrote it. We may end up switching meals around a bit, but that happens just often enough anyway that it’s really not a big deal.

Sunday: leftover lasagna and pizza

Monday: tossed salads, breadsticks, olive oil and dipping spices

Tuesday: sesame chicken, broccoli, and brown rice

Wednesday: BLT’s

Thursday: burgers on the grill

Friday: pizza night (every week)

Saturday: Taco salad (different from the traditional taco salad)

The meals without veggies listed we’ll just decide then which veggie to eat from the freezer.

Breakfasts are scones, eggs, oatmeal, biscuits, smoothies, and waffles.

Lunches are salmon patties, mac and cheese, sandwiches, wraps, and leftovers.

Snacks are string cheese, baby carrots, nuts, and fresh fruit.

You can read more menu plans over at Orgjunkie.com.

My family came to visit us this week. This time my sister-in-law and her little girl came with my parents. It was wonderful!

My niece Little Miss T is six weeks younger than Anna so it was fun to watch the two girls together. The day we went thrift shopping was interesting though. Mom and I stepped into one store to get a couple books for the boys that she’d found earlier, and when we got back into the van both babies were screaming. The poor girls were hungry and tired and the screaming just kept building. Thankfully, it was short lived. I felt bad for my sister-in-law though since she’d been in the van hearing them cry the whole time.

Anna learned how to get up on her hands and knees this week. She is so close to crawling and I’m not really sure I’m ready for that just yet. Anna also is starting to sit up to her own a little now. She also learned the fine art of squealing from her cousin. Miss T is so much more vocal than Anna. I think it’s hard to believe that any daughter of mine actually is quiet-natured. She must get that from her daddy.

The boys had an absolute blast at the park. I’m hoping the weather stays nice so we can go on a more regular basis.

These next two pictures I snapped when the boys went down the slide. I got a good one of Samuel the first time, but getting one of Caleb took several tries.

And Poppy had to instigate some teasing too. But the again, we should be used to that by now!

My boys love to pick me flowers from the yard. I love that they love to. :O) These tiny little vases are perfect for all the tiny blooms they bring inside.

My secret sister gave me these lilies for Easter. They’re gorgeous! I wish I could tell her thank you because I absolutely love them!

I’ve never grown this kind of lilies before, but they sure are pretty.

I am still in awe of how God has grown our family. He is so good to me!

My family will be visiting us this week so menus will be a little different than usual. I tried to keep their preferences in mind while keeping our menu as close to normal for us as possible.

This time it’s not just my parents that are coming – my sister-in-law and her baby girl are coming with them. Her baby is six weeks younger than Anna so that should be a lot of fun.

Sunday: turkey, brown rice, green beans, biscuits and honey

Monday: tacos

Tuesday: turkey and stuffing bake, steamed carrots

Wednesday: lasagna, tossed salads

Thursday: grilled chicken breast, brown rice, mixed veggies

Friday: pizza night (every week)

Saturday: stroganoff with whole wheat pasta

The meals without veggies listed we’ll just decide then which veggie to eat from the freezer.

Breakfasts are scones, eggs and grits, oatmeal, biscuits, smoothies, and waffles.

Lunches are stromboli, quesadillas, BLT’s, sandwiches, and leftovers.

Snacks are string cheese, baby carrots, nuts, fruit, and whatever munchies my family decides to bring with them.

You can read more menu plans over at Orgjunkie.com.

Praise God – He’s Alive!

It had been three days since their Lord had died
They placed His body in a borrowed tomb.
They wondered if He would keep His word,
And rise again to life on that third day.
But when they arrived, the stone was rolled away
An angel sat upon the stone.
“He is not here, for He is risen
Go and see the place where your Lord laid!”

Praise God – He’s Alive!
Praise God – He’s Alive!
“He is not here” the angel said,
“He is risen from the dead.”
Praise God – He’s Alive!
Praise God – He’s Alive!
The tomb was empty that day,
Praise God – He’s Alive!

Jesus did not have to lay down His life
But chose to do His Father’s will
Saying, “Not my will but Thine be done,
I’ll make my life a living sacrifice”
The Lamb of God came to preach the Word
To seek and to save the lost.
So we must go and tell the world
How they can have new life in Him!

Praise God – He’s Alive!
Praise God – He’s Alive!
“He is not here” the angel said,
“He is risen from the dead.”
Praise God – He’s Alive!
Praise God – He’s Alive!
The tomb was empty that day,
Praise God – He’s Alive!

God gave me the words to this song several years ago just in time for Easter. Praise God He’s Alive!!!! I’m so thankful that my Jesus didn’t stay dead. Anyone can die, but my Jesus came back to life.

Praise God He’s Alive!!!

Every Friday night we have pizza. Sometimes it’s homemade pizza at home, and sometimes it’s leftover pizza from my inlaw’s school. My favorite is the homemade. It’s funny how things change. For years I hated homemade pizza. Now I love it. I think it’s the crust.

Over the years we’ve tried several crust recipes, from whole wheat to low carb to just basic white. Even though we prefer whole wheat baked goods for almost everything else, this recipe using all purpose white flour is still my favorite. I got it from a college friend my freshman year in college. I think it’s from the Betty Crocker cookbook but I’m not entirely sure.

Homemade Pizza

Makes 2 9×13 crusts

2 Tbsp active dry yeast
2 cups warm water
4 Tbsp oil
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
5 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 400. Dissolve yeast in warm water in mixer bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Beat well. Let rest 5 minutes.

Pat crust into well-greased pan and top with pizza sauce, desired toppings (our favorites are mushrooms, pepperoni, and sausage), and cheese.

Bake at 400 for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.