Worst Blogger ever!

So it's been a couple weeks since my last blog, which was a little discouraging since my goal was to do it CONSISTENTLY, but if at first you don't succeed try try again.

So what's going on in my world lately?
We have decided that we are wayy too exhausted, sore, and sluggish for our busy and want to be active lifestyles. And after a pretty decent size hiatus  we are going back to eating clean. I have decided to cheat a little, and make life a little easier on myself by using "The fresh 20" Meal planning. There is a groupon for it right now, and it's a pretty good deal. She gives you a week by week meal plan, that includes grocery lists, recipes, and prep guide. It's all clean eating and seasonal produce. Check it out! (www.thefresh20.com//)

Our first meal will be Chicken Milanese with Lemon broccoli quinoa and golden raisins mmmmm. I can't wait. And I really can't wait to start feeling better mentally and physically.

I am running the Great Aloha run which is 8 miles. (Yikes!) I'm not someone who enjoys running, or can't wait for it all day long, however I do enjoy the after effects of it. I enjoy completing a goal, and though I have really slacked the last couple months and am going to start from ground zero, I really enjoy the way I look and feel. I really do think it is the best way to workout.
I highly suggest it.  Even if you think that you hate it, and you wouldn't make it past the mailbox without wheezing. Start small and work your way up. You will be a great example to not only people around you who want to start themselves but to your children who will see you make a goal and obtain it, even if that means a little hard work and struggle at first.
And if anything do it for the alone time you get to think, or not think at all.

Taco Tuesday

One of Em's chores is to help make a menu plan for the family. She's a clever one, together we made up a basic format for our weekly meals.
Meatless Mondays- Salads!
Taco Tuesdays (or enchiladas depending on our mood)
We cook Wednesday- They are responsible for cooking something simple
Thinking Thursday-Since they typically have tests on Friday we figured we would do our seafood on thursdays (Omegas!)
Foreign Friday- Which for us will probably Lasagna, sushi, stir fry or something along those lines until I get more talented in this area.
Simple Saturday- Something easy since Saturday is usually packed with family fun (and laziness)
Something big Sunday- After church meals.

I have found that when they make the menu and grocery list, help grocery shop and cook they are more likely to eat all of their food without complaints. Which means I don't have to spike their foods with healthiness as often ( pureed vegetables, flax seed etc) they just eat it..even the cauliflower.
And it also simplifies crazy days like today.
The weather has been crazy , dark and gloomy. Anna has been couped up for the last couple days so she is going completely stir crazy. And just when Mike home  I have to get ready to drop him and Preston off at karate while I take Anna grocery shopping. Tomorrow is Wednesday church, Thursday Karate, Friday Bible study, Saturday morning piano lessons, Sunday Church. Monday is my cleaning day.  Somewhere in between all of that I need to make sure Anna is socialized, and getting her needs met and that Mike and I are good. (I know I should cut some things out, but I have already cut out Ballet for this term for Em)
I guess my point to all of this is anything organized to help manage this chaos is a great help and I was pretty tickled for Em to be a part of that.

Along with this we are going to start busting our butts on saving up for a house in the next few years, and the kids graduation fund. So any great savings plans that you can suggest is more than welcome and I will post more as I learn them.
Phew...trying to be super mom is a tough job, but someone's gotta do it ;)

In the midst of all of this resolution business that comes with the new year I have resolved to have more "me" time (amongst a few other things, but we will get to that later!) When a dear friend suggested blogging I was hesitant at first, but after reading her entries I couldn't resist!

So introduction time:
My name is Amanda I am a stay at home mom of three beautiful, talented little monsters: Emilee 8, Preston 6, And little miss Anna banana 2 in march. They are my world and I am so blessed to be able to stay home so I can be with them at every possible moment (whether they feel as blessed about it, I don't know) my husband is Army and we are stationed in Hawaii right now, soon to be Colorado. Here is my crazy little family (The kids faces were not planned, its just them ;) )

So what's going on in my world?
After a long vacation back home I am trying to get back on schedule, and organize  and declutter my house. I spent the first 3 days back decluttering which makes me wonder if I am borderline hoarder (ok I KNOW I am) We are also implementing a new chore system. Our last system didn't work as well probably because I kept forgetting to enforce it, So after hearing different busy mom's ideas, we came up with something that works for us.  The kids each get a list of a chores for every day except Saturday (family day, relax day) We hung those lists up on the wall by the computer, I didn't want to do this before but it helps for the kids to just go up and look at what they need to do, it's also a reminder to me every day. Every day that they complete their chores they get a point card with 10 points on it, under their chore charts we hung envelopes for them to put the points in. They can also earn 5 point cards if we catch them doing good things (Being kind, going out of their way to help someone else, reading the Bible without being asked etc etc) but they can lose points for bad behavior. They earn points for good grades as well. Then next to the charts we put the reward chart 200 pts is a movie, 250 a 3D movie, 300 pts a sleepover pizza party, 500 pts a trip to dave and busters and 1000 pts is pick out a toy of choice which I am thinking I will have to get more specific on.
Along with this they get an allowance, however old they are but they will lose a dollar for every day they don't get their 10 pts.
I think this will work much better since it is visual, and gives them something to work for.
Emilee is already saving up for an Ipad (she saved up and bought a Kindle Fire recently) which I am sure she will get before I do.

Well I suppose I should go wash the mid morning snack out of Anna's hair now and consider entry 1 complete. I'll write again soon.