This week I made a Greek Pasta Bake:

8 Servings       Prep: 20 min. Bake: 25 min.

Ingredients

• 1 package (13-1/4 ounces) whole wheat penne pasta  (I used shells because that is what I had on hand)

• 4 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

• 1 can (29 ounces) tomato sauce

• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained

• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed

• 2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained  (I left these out since none of us like them)

• 1/4 cup chopped red onion

• 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a large bowl, combine the
pasta, chicken, tomato sauce, tomatoes, spinach, olives, onion, green pepper,
basil and oregano.

• Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with
cheeses. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through
and cheese is melted. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups equals 366 calories, 7 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 62 mg cholesterol, 847 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber,



Recipe from Taste of Home

So many women skip breakfast.  Some because they feel they are too busy and others believe that skipping meals will help them to lose weight. 

Skipping breakfast is one of the worst ideas.  Our bodies have been asleep for the past 8 hrs or so and are running on nothing, which means our blood sugar levels are very low.

Eating a balanced, healthy breakfast will give us the energy we need to start our day.  It will decrease our chances of pigging out on bad foods later in the day when our bodies are starting to crave food for fuel.   Breakfast is what fuels our brains and helps us to concentrate.  Whether you have the time to cook a breakfast, heat one up or just grab one on your way out the door,  it is a must.

Here is a very short list of options that I have for breakfast:

Kashi Golean Crunch Cereal

1/2 of a Grapefruit with a piece of whole grain tst with peanut butter

A piece of fruit, apple, banana 

Protein shake with fruit or you can buy flavored protein powder (try chocolate it will feel very naughty eating dessert for breakfast)

Egg white omelet with a little sprinkle of cheese

Oatmeal (my fav) I like it plain, but you could buy the weight control packets from Quaker, with a hand full of berries

Whole Grain granola bar/ Protein Bar


This was just a short list there are so many more options.  Just get creative and don't make it more work than it has to be.

I had a mirror that was a tad to small for my liking.  I also had a decorative wall cling from http://www.uppercaseliving.com/.  Neither were being put to good use.  So I decided to combine them and see what happened.  It actually turned out pretty good.  I now have it hanging in my upstairs hallway.
Here is my sad, lonely, unused mirror before the transformation.
Here it is after it's makeover hanging in my hallway!!  It only took 5 minutes.

I found this blog a little while back called Simply Modern Mom.  She came up with 52 Date Nights Challenge.  To date from home for $0 or close to it.  Since moving away from everyone and not having a babysitter it was a great idea for us.  You pick a day and time and try to stick with it.  She posts about her date each week along with others who are trying it.  If you decide not to join in at least you can get some great ideas!! Go check it out.

My kiddos have had off of school for the past 2 days so I decided to put them to work making a valentines decoration, since I usually don't buy them.  I didn't have to do too much persuading considering their love of crafts (just like their momma).  We just used things we already had.

Here are a few great verses to encourage us moms.  We sometimes need reminding that our day to day responsibilities are not for nothing.  We serve the Lord by serving, training and loving our children.  I know that I personally struggle with being an example of The Lord to my children.  Praise God each day is a new day!!  I feel like I say that alot. 

I Corinthians 15:58-Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

When we have told our children for the ? time not to do something, or when the mess just seems never ending we are called to be steadfast, unmoveable and abounding(striving to become a better mom) because are labour is for the Lord.

Matthew 25: 40-And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Now this verse is not directed specifically to taking care of children, however the verses prior list those who are needy.  Our children were given to us by God because they need our love and guidance.  So I would certainly use this verse to encourage moms.  What we do for our children we do for the Lord!!

I am going to write these verses out on index cards and post them in different places around my home to remind me throughout the day, to be more attentive to the way I speak to my children and how I handle discipline.  I need to exemplify my Lord, Jesus Christ.

WoooHooo!! I just recieved a blog award from my sweet sister (from http://www.growingupourstyle.blogspot.com/ )!  Thank You
Rules to accepting this award are that I have to list 5 things about myself that others may not know about me and  to pass the award on to 5 other bloggers!

1. I met my husband in Washington D.C even though we were both from Rochester NY and grew up 15 min away from eachother.

2. I had open heart surgery 3 years ago (I was 26).

3.  My favorite color is green.

4.  I love to dance!!!!!

5.  I get way to stressed out with messes my kids make, I am working on it.  Life is more fun a little messy.


Blogs I am giving this award to:

1.  http://blog.addicted2decorating.com/

2.  http://www.simplymodernmom.com/

3.http://delightfuldwelling.blogspot.com/

4. http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/

5.  http://www.according-to-kelly.com/

Be sure to check them out!!

                                     Here is the girls room after!!

                                    Mission 0rganization
                                                              
                                                               Day  4/ Step 4

Time to get the rooms done!!  A few quick tips on organizing a child's room.

1.  Keep it simple - if we want our kids to pick up there own rooms and put everything back in the right places, then don't make it too complex.  A few different places for their things.

2.  Label, label, label- they may not remember where everything goes, so label there boxes and bins.  For little ones use pictures.

3.  Bedding- I expect my kids to be able to make their own beds.  So I make it easy for them.  They only have a fitted sheet and the comforter on the bed. ( Except my 10 year old daughter she is most definetley old enough to make her bed like normal)

4. Different stages, different ages- Keep in mind their ages and sizes.  Things they really can't play with keep up high, keep their toys and clothes(if possible) at there level.

5.  When the room is done show them where things go and what you expect of them.

I am going to post my boy's room now, I have a few liitle things to get done in the girls room.  So I will post it later today.

AAAHHHH!!!!  I am just so lovin how the rooms turned out.  I am also so excited at how the bed side pouches turned out and the kids went crazy when they saw them. 

I found this really cute idea on the family fun website.  Do to the fact that the kids are using bunk beds they don't have night stands.  I was looking for something for them to store books, chapstick, small flashlights and anything else they might need nearby.  It is also a great idea for small rooms or someone on a tight budget and doesn't want to spend the $ for a night stand in the kids rooms.

Directions


1. Begin with a piece of cotton duck fabric that's 60 inches wide and 3/4 yard long.


2. Use pinking shears to cut the fabric into 2 lengths, each 60 by 12 inches. Fold up 16 inches of fabric at the end of each piece. Press with a hot iron.


3. Use a sewing machine or a needle and thread to stitch 10 inches up each side (see illustration, below) to form a pocket. Fold down the excess fabric to make a flap. Press. Use pinking shears to trim the flap into a triangle.




4. Slip the mattress off the box spring and overlap the two lengths of fabric so the pockets hang at the height you'd like. Use pins to secure the pieces together, take the pinned material off the bed, and sew the pinned section to form one strip (see illustration). Trim any excess fabric at the seam.


5. Use fabric glue (such as Fabri-Tac) to affix grosgrain ribbon racing stripes (we used 3/8-inch-wide ribbon), then add an iron-on finish-flag patch (available at Racing Decals), or decorate as you wish with fabric paint. Install the pockets near the head of the bed. We don't recommend washing and drying the bed pocket, as shrinkage may occur.

                                      Mission Organization

                                          Day 3/ Step 3

Find The Best Deals Around!

Stores I shopped at and the deals I found:

-Goodwill, Craigslist   (the best place for the larger items like bookshelves)
-Dollar Tree   (they have a very large selection of bins and various containers for cheap!!!)
-Jo-Ann's    ( I am making a storage pocket for the kids beds that I needed fabric for, and they had all there baskets 50% off)
-Walmart  ( I like the underbed storage bins w/ wheels they are only $5)

Family Dollar, Big Lots, Marshalls, Home Goods, Christmas Tree Shops are also great places for those with tight budgets.

What I got: