Seven years of Claire Strauss

Ok, so maybe it's because it's the first number to have two syllables, but seven just seems older. I can handle all the birthdays between 2 and 6, but seven is tough for me. She's all thinned out, no more baby fat. She falls a lot less (not our most graceful child, but fortunately she has the high pain tolerance to go with it). She even has teaching moments with her little brother. She's still struggling with a temper, but has come a LONG way with that, especially in the last year. She's always ready for a hug...or having her back scratched. I call her my massage junkie. She's been like this her whole life. As a baby, even in the midst of a fit, she would stop dead in her tracks if you just started rubbing her ears. Note to future husband: That will be your power over her. Most of all, she's just a bubbly, happy girl that's funny and a joy to be around. Thanks, God. We're enjoying our loaner!

Menu Swap Week two

Ok, so I forgot last week, but I'm back on board with Menu planning! I'm telling you, when I don't plan my menu for the week, my anxiety goes up about 30%. Our budget goes up about that much too! I am MUCh more inclined to just tell Eric to meet me and the kids out on his way home from work if I don't have meals planned for the week. This only takes me minutes, and it saves me stress and money. Given that this Wednesday is Black Wednesday at our house, A.K.A. first day of school, I need all the help I can get. So this week will be quick, easy meals that make it so I can focus on getting acclimated to our school year schedule. Anyone else wondering where summer went? *sigh*

Monday: Grilled cheese and tomato soup...Ice Cream social at school

Tuesday: Grilled Chicken breasts, steamed broccoli, and rice

Wednesday: Dinner at Mimi's while Daddy and Mommy work

Thursday: Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread

Friday: McDonald's happy Meals to celebrate 1st week of school

Judgement time

Why do we judge ourselves so harshly? I, for one, am so guilty of this. Being a girl that struggles with filtering what I say, I am CONSTANTLY replaying in my mind everything I say in any given situation over and over wondering if it was OK and hoping every one's OK with it. I am what you call a "yes" person. I like making people happy. I like cooking for people, helping with their homes, entertaining them, all of it. My very favorite thing is making people laugh. Who doesn't love to laugh? But in order to do that, you have to be willing to say what people are thinking, but may not be willing to say out loud. When someone actually does say those things, there's usually laughter, right? But then there's the times when it's just to much and that's what I'm left with. The self doubt, paranoia, and second guessing that comes with putting it all out there. The thing that bothers me the most is how much of what I say probably isn't pleasing to God. He's the ultimate judge and I want to be Christlike while still entertaining my friends and family. What a fine line to walk! So, as we all do, I struggle each day with my sinful self and try to be me while striving to be like Him. Will I ever not fall asleep at night playing back the soundtrack from my day in my mind? Who knows. All I know is this is how I've always been. What you see is what you get with me and it's hard to turn that off...even when I sometimes know I should.

Menu Planning and sharing

So my friend Angela from her blog www.unexpectedelegance.com, has decided to do a menu swap. This is a fantastic idea for someone like me who loves to plan and plans our meals for the week in advance. And as much as I love being this organized, I get into ruts...especially when dinner is involved. I have three kids and a husband who all like routine and it's easy to slip into a pattern. By menu sharing with people form all over, we can really mix things up and discover new recipes and meal ideas that can really surprise (and maybe even impress) my family! So, here's my menu for this week. Prepare to be amazed...he he he.

Monday: Chicken Crescent rolls--Mix one can chicken breast meat with two 8 oz boxes of reduced fat cream cheese (softened slightly for mixing) a bag of frozen peas and carrots, 2 T softened butter, 1 T parsley, 1 tsp onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine ingredients and spoon onto reduced fat crescent triangles that have been rolled thin. Fold over and crimp to seal. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Mmmmmmmmm. I serve sliced apples with this meal

Tuesday: Grilled tuna steaks brushed with olive oil, salt and pepper, steamed broccoli and rice, all topped with sesame seeds.

Wednesday: My husband and I work and my son will eat with my inlaws. The girls are out of town this week!

Thursday: Crock pot pork chops-can of golden mushroom soup, packet of onion soup mix, fresh cracked pepper. Mashed potatoes and peas.

Friday: Daddy cooks!

So, what do you think? Does my cooking scream Hoosier or what? Enjoy!

My boys have a birthday

So, when I went in for what turned out to be my last checkup when pregnant with Ian, the doctor said I was measuring overdue for twins in my 35th week of pregnancy. She suggested I get induced that next week. She casually threw out "How about next Tuesday?" I thought for a second and did the math in my head. "Isn't that the 22nd?", I replied. "Yes". "Hold on, I need to make a phone call" said the extremely uncomfortable pregnant woman desperate to get this person out of her body but not wanting to forever take away her husband's birthday. So, I called Eric, asked him if it was ok if our son was born on his birthday, and after a little mulling over he decided that might be kind of neat. So, three years later, it is kind of neat. Really neat, in fact. I LOVE that the two main men in my life started their lives on the same day. They will forever be able to celebrate together. We have enjoyed putting them in matching shirts, taking their picture together, and our newest tradition...Benihana. That has become a family favorite for the boys' birthday. We did it for the second time this year and I think it's tradition that's gonna stick.

Indy Car...the next generation

Well, ok, so probably not. But it sure is fun to visit Daddy at work! I'm thinkin' these moments will be remembered for sure!

That's Mighty Neighborly of you!

One of the biggest blessings God has given me this past year is a new found closeness with my neighbors. We've lived in our neighborhood for almost ten years and have always loved it. We are surrounded on all sides by good, generous people. But this last summer, more than others past, we've all gotten very close. I suppose it started with convenience. Hanging out with neighbors means no sitters, inexpensive cocktails, and lack of necessity to plan ahead. From the convenience came a camaraderie that I have come to cherish. We laugh a lot, gripe about our woes, and love on each other's kids. I know that Eric and I will one day look back on this season of our lives in this neighborhood, with these people, as some of the best of our lives.

Here are some pics from Christmas and birthday parties, just to give a taste of how much fun we have!