Life can be defeating sometimes. Money, desires, responsiblities, dreams unfulfilled. Sometimes I need to slow down, refocus, redirect my thoughts and energies. Right now is one of those times. I need to become more grounded and make more moves tword my desires and dreams. One of my biggest dreams right now is to live a nomadic life with my family. To travel from place to place experiencing the culture, the energy of life. To live more simply, unencumbered by the tie to material wealth and possessions. To live with nature, to live authentically, in the moment.

I sat down and was writing a rather scathing post relating to adult behavior in the McDonald's where I am currently sitting. But, I just had to erase it and adjust my attitude a bit. I'm sitting here in McD's, in the rain. Rain we haven't seen for weeks. I should be more thankful that the earth is being nourished instead.  And, I am. I never thought I would utter those words again after being through the flood, but I am.

I'm thinking of my blessings for the day, and there were many. Breakfast oatmeal on the patio, listening to the birds chirp and watching them find food in the backyard. Seeing my 3 youngest children fearlessly perform their vacation bible school songs twice, in front of a packed house. Making homemade banana bread and brown rice with fresh vegetable to nourish my family.  Sitting down as a family in our new home to a home cooked meal, while watching the rain and thanking God for it. And, now I'm sitting in a McD's waiting for my eldest to be done at church, enjoying a cup of coffee and a pastry I smuggled in to get some much needed alone time. This Sunday has been full of blessings and I'm sure there will be more when I'm back home. I'm a truly blessed woman.

It's 91 degrees outside today with a faint cool breeze. I'm sitting here in the shade while my 4 boys play in the slip-n-slide and hose. My husband is another matter..he's burning wood. 91 degrees outside and he decides it's the perfect time to burn a brush pile. I'm sitting in the shade avoiding both the fire and water, watching the boys run around and scream like only boys can do. We've been in our new house for about 3 weeks now. It's slowly starting to feel like our home compared to feeling like invaders in someone else's house. My daily rhythm is starting to reemerge. I'm starting to figure out what to do when to keep the house in order, the kids happy and myself nourished. I'm starting to feel more like me instead of a refugee of flooding.

In 2 short weeks all 4 boys will be back in school. This time the 2 youngest will be in all day kindergarten. For the first time in 12 years I'll have my days free. To myself. Free to do what I want without taking a child (or 2, or 3, or 4) with me everywhere. I wonder what adventures my days will hold.

More beauty and blessings

A lot has happened in the last year. My kids have grown more. We got a dog. We lost our house and contents in a flood. We stayed with family for 2 months while we were homeless. We bought a new house and moved in. We took our first family vacation to an amusement park. It's been a long summer. There have been lots of emotions from sadness and anger to joy and thankfulness. I'm in a place right now where I'm looking for blessings and trying to be more in an attitude of thankfulness for everything we have, because we lost so much. So, I'm taking a que from Bluebirdbaby and instituting my own 30 days of happiness, where I'll share something everyday that makes me happy or is a blessing.

Today I have a blessing...my youngest worn out by a day or running around playing...

And, something that makes me happy...farm fresh veggies with quinoa and brown rice. A nourshing meal for body and soul.

Update, Menu Plan Monday

I'm pleased to say I made it through the weekend only spending money on ziploc bags to put up a bunch of tomatoes given to me and gas. Tomorrow, however, I'll have to buy tampons. Why does it always seem like I'm out at the start of every period, even though I just bought some the time before?

I've also made out my menu for this week relying heavily on my pantry and freezer.


Breakfasts:
Cinnamon muffins
PB& honey toast, watermelon smoothie
Oatmeal w/ peanut butter
Cheesy egg poofs, sausage patty
Cereal/milk
Zucchini bread, homemade jam
Buckwheat pancakes, turkey bacon

Lunches:
Spaghetti, garlic buns
Cheese pizza, carrot sticks
PB&J, fruit
Mama soup, crackers
Corn and potato chowder, biscuits
Grilled cheese, fruit

Dinners:
Biscuits and gravy
Pork roast, mashed taters, peas, gravy
Fried chicken legs, garlic taters, cauliflower
Tilapia, Italian noodles, broccoli
Chicken pot pie, salad
Taquitos, hominy
BBQ chicken pizza, corn on the cob

More lovely menus over at Organizing Junkie!

August 5th, First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for my older two. My oldest started middle school. It was so weird watching him get on the bus. I can vividly remember middle school and all the emotions I had then. I was scared starting a new school with new people, having to get myself back and forth between classes, and heaven forbid, no recess. I was and now he is, being forced to grow up just a little bit. I said a few extra prayers for him this morning, and for me to cope with him getting just a little closer to leaving the nest.

On the financial front, it's day 5 of the no spend month. The only thing I've bought are groceries so far, so I'm doing well. The beginning of the month is always the easiest. I tend to loose my momentum at the end of the month, though I resolve not to this time.