"Mommy To Be" Shower

One of the elementary schools I work for graciously offered to host Adalyn a baby shower! I was very surprised and so excited!

The school psychologist actually made the cake! It was so delicious!

They served pink lemonade cookies, fruit and dip, and veggies! So yummy!!!

The table decorations had these adorable little elephants!

They also had a book, and all of the teachers signed the book with some of their own advice for Adalyn!

Adalyn received lots of good presents! Clothes (who can resist baby girl clothes?!) We also received shampoo and lotion, a cup for washing hair, a bassinet, and an Ergo carrier- just to name a few!

I think Adalyn's all set!

How Do I? Buy Groceries

Welcome back for week 2 of "How Do I?" I'm so excited about this series and sharing my tips with y'all! Last week, I went over how I meal plan, so naturally, I thought I'd share with y'all how I buy groceries!

First, I don't coupon at all. I use to, and I may try to get back into it, but I just don't have time for it. I really wish I did. I need to install the coupon printer on my computer at home, and try to print out coupons.... Okay, now i'm just lecturing myself and trying to talk myself back into it. But for now, I don't coupon.... moving on.

I make a meal plan, and then off my meal plan, I make my grocery list. There are things that I might buy every time I go to the grocery store: deli meat and cheese, bread, milk, fruits, etc. and they still go on my list. I'll look at my bi-weekly menu and write down how many packages of chicken I need, how many packages of ground turkey (we don't eat ground beef), and how many cans of whatever I need. I put tally marks off to the side, so i'm only writing cream of chicken soup, one time, and then I might have I,I,I, tally marks beside it, so I know I need to buy three cans.

I try to go to the grocery store alone. It helps me think and not impulse buy. Last Sunday one of my friends posted a picture of her at Sams Club by herself with three kiddos and I had a mini panic attack. She has a 4 1/2 year old, 3 1/2 year old, and 7 month old. She was by herself y'all.... And, had one of those flat bed carts and a regular buggy. I don't know how she did it, but she is supermom. I however, am not. So, I like to grocery shop alone. If I don't go on the weekends when DJ can watch the kids, then i'll leave them at daycare and go after work, and then go pick the girls up.

So, when I get to the store, by myself, I immediately head to the right of the store. I've heard of studies that show that marketers set up stores where all of the most expensive things are on the right side of the store because people naturally head toward the right. Well, so do I. Plus, I can't go to the left side- thsoe are the registers and it wouldn't do me much good heading their first.

My first stop is the deli counter where I buy 1 lb of turkey meat and 1 lb. of slice cheese. I'll also pick up some pita chips. Then, I head off to the produce. I tend to get grapes, strawberries, oranges, and sometimes blueberries, and always bananas. I'll also pick up whatever fresh veggies we may need for our meals: bell pepper, spinach, squash, potatoes. I don't tend to buy a lot of fresh veggies. I know I should and they're healthier, but I prefer frozen because it's easier.

I then head over to the butcher and I pick up the chicken breasts. I typically buy three to four packages with three breasts in each one. The girls are able to share a chicken breasts, so that's why I buy three. I have them placed in a plastic bag and then in the white butcher paper. My grocery store use to place them in freezer paper and then in the white butcher paper, but if I'm in a hurry and need to throw dinner in the crock pot, then I need the chicken in the bag, because the paper freezes to the chicken.

Next, I pick up the ground turkey, bread, and then orange juice, milk, yogurt, cinnamon rolls, cheese..... anything that's in the open freezer section. If I have the girls with me, then we stop and get them a free cookie. And, I forgot to mention, but the deli, will almost always give them each a slice of cheese to snack on.

I tend to skip the left side of the store altogether. Unless, I buy frozen veggies, but usually a large bag can last us a month because we just rotate through them, and I cook just enough so they're not left over. Plus, I cook mostly casseroles or one-pot dishes, so we don't go through a huge bag of veggies every week.

I start at the back of the right side and just work my way up. The first row is where the cream of crap soups are, the mexican food, and any broth/stock I may need. Then, it's on to pasta, sauce, pb & j, then cereal, baking products, can goods and finally chips.

Sometimes I head to the other side and pick up snack foods and more juice, but not always. It just depends on what we have at home and if we're going to be home a lot. When we're home more, we snack more.

I try to buy some organic, but i'm not always good about it. It depends on the budget and what organic produce is offered. I am pretty brand loyal, and will buy kashi cereal or Muir Glen tomatoes. I also have specific can of black beans i'll buy, but I don't know the brand- I can just tell by looking at the can. I will buy store brand cream of crap soup. I am also loyal the brand of bread that I buy. This being said, when I have more time to plan and budget, then i'll buy more organic, and my goal is to slowly transition us to gluten free. I'll start with breads and pasta, and then go from there.

I also don't buy a lot of frozen pre-cooked dinners. I do buy Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and crescent rolls, but I don't buy frozen pizza, for example. I also don't buy bisquick because I can make my own pancakes or waffles from scratch. I've also found that by not purchasing these pre-packaged dinners and meals, that I can save a little more money.

I typically spend $150-200.00 every other week at the grocery store.

My grocery store also offers curb side pick up! I don't take advantage when I'm alone or with the girls, but when MC was a baby, I took full advantage, and I probably will when Adalyn is here!

I also make weekly Target trips. I'm able to run to Target between school sites if I don't have to buy anything that needs refrigeration. If I can't go between schools, then i'll go right before I pick up the girls. Target is a totally different ball game, and these trips are usually reserved for picking up things that we ran out of between grocery store trips- milk, cereal, cereal bars. I also go to Target for any toiletries we may need. I usually have a big toiletry buy once a month, and then we have the smaller trips to pick up any random toiletries we've ran out of.

I rarely have a list for Target, and I do usually get sucked in by the hypnotizing bullseye, which means lots of impulse buys. I spend anywhere from $50.00 to $150.00 on my Target trips.

So, hopefully that helps you know how I get my grocery shopping done while working full time! It really helps when I'm prepared with a shopping lists and when i'm organized and alone! If not, then my list doesn't vary too much from week to week, so I'll just pick up what we usually have to buy.

What are your grocery store tips? How do you save time there and money?

Praying...

So many terrible tragedies have happened over the past week and I just feel the need to ask for your prayers.

First, for the victims in Moore, OK- only about two hours from where we live. The damage i'm sure is unspeakable,a nd I just feel awful for those families and individuals that have lost loved ones, their homes, and their belongings.

Yesterday afternoon, I picked up the girls early, because MC was a little sick at daycare. G was scheduled to have gymnastics at 4, but because MC didn't feel well, we decided to skip G's last day of gymnastics. DJ called me and requested that the girls and I came to the football offices rather than going home. The path of the storm looked as if it were headed straight for Tulsa. So, I went home and grabbed diapers, tylenol (for MC) and pajamas since I wasn't sure how long we would be at the offices. DJ went across the street and grabbed us Subway for dinner.

We got to football around 45 minutes later, and parked our cars under the bleachers in case of hail and went inside. The girls enjoyed playing in daddy's office and we ate our dinner. Thankfully, MC started to feel better, and we realized the storms were either going north and west of Tulsa, or south and east of Tulsa. It's like the storms totally split to miss Tulsa.

We headed home around 6:30, gave the girls a bath, put them to bed, and settled into our nightly routine.

I'm still just devestated for all of the children and people that lost their lives.

One way you can help is by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to disaster relief.

I'm also donating 20% of my sales this week to the RedCross. Go here to take a look at my ready to ship hair accessories for your honey pie!

I'm also asking for prayers for Z. Biggs. He is one of TU's football GA's and has been in the hospital with three blood clots. He has been put on blood thinners and was discharged yesterday, but is in a lot of pain, and the blood thinners weren't completely working at that point in time. One of them was near his lungs.

Please pray for Ellie H. She is a sorority sister of mine- a pledge class a year below me- and was admitted to the hospital over the weekend in serious condition to a dissected vertebral artery. You can go here to read more about Ellie. She is still in serious condition, but making slow gains. She had a stroke, and has had a few mini seizures, but is responding to commands.

I have several sorority sisters working together to put on a fundraising 5K for Ellie in the Little Rock area, and i'll bring you that information as it becomes available! We will be looking for sponsors though, so if you know of a business or you have a business and would like to sponsor, please let me know and I can pass on your information!

Finally, pray for Lyndsey T. I don't know her personally, but i've followed her story loosely, and I have several college friends who know Lyndsey. She and her husband have adopted children, and I believe they have one biological child and they found out that Lyndsey has cancer. She was doing well, but her levels are increasing, and they've found that the hormone therapy is no longer effective. She's going for a scan this morning, so pray for strength. To read more about Lyndsey go here.

If you have other prayer request please let me know. I'm so thankful for the blessings that God has given my family, but my heart aches for these individuals.

G graduates Pre-K

Gretchen's preschool graudation program is tonight. I wanted to take a look back at her journey of daycare and preschool and take time to remember all of the memories we have made throughout these years. I just can't believe that my first baby girl is 5 and a half and will be starting kindergarten in August!

I finally registered her last week, and when I told DJ he said, "You registered her already? I thought we would do it together." I didn't realize what a big moment this would be for him too. Once I explained that it was just turning in her shot record, a gas bill, and her birth certificate, along with filling out some papers, he calmed down and realized it was a job I could do myself.

I was proud of myself walking out of the registration building because I didn't shed one tear. They're coming though. I can feel them.

So this is her 2nd day of daycare at Ms. Michelle's house. When we lived in Indiana I knew I wanted her at an in-home daycare. I searched and searched and every time I interviewed someone, I would leave their house in tears. Until I found Ms. Michelle. I'm so thankful that God brought her into our lives, and it turns out we eventually ended up attending the same church, and G made so many wonderful friends there.

We were fortunate enough that G didn't have to start daycare until August 2008, 7 months after she was born. A few years after she started, I found a document that I had written for Ms. Michelle about how to take care of Gretchen and what her daily schedule was. She must have thought I was nuts. I thought I was nuts when I read it after finding it again!

G spent three wonderful years there, and we took her out one month before Megan was born, because my grandmother had temporarily moved in with us and we were moving to Oklahoma.

When we found out we were moving, I immediately began to research preschools, and I interviewed several centers when G and I visited in March 2011. When we found Immanuel, I was in love and it was the exact place that I wanted Gretchen to attend. A private Christian based preschool. I can't say enough wonderful things about Immanuel.

She has had amazing teachers, amazing directors, and she has made amazing friends. The love that those adults have for the kids is just inspiring. Her teachers have become my friends, and although I know that I may still be that over-bearing mother, I know they love my child.

The picture above is from Gretchen's very first day of school when she was 3 1/2 years old.

Her teacher was Ms. Powell. We made so many wonderful memories in her class. She met many of her best friends, and we had Halloween celebrations, a Christmas program, an Easter egg hunt and her very first field trips.

This picture is the one I took on her very first school picture day.

Here she is on her first day of 4 year old Pre-K. She started the year with a substitute, because her teacher was on maternity leave. In September, Mrs. Tish came back and welcomed the class with loving arms. In October, we found out that Mrs. Tish was leaving for another position closer to her own home, and where she could spend more time with her newborn son. Mrs. Neva took over at the end of October, and I was immediately impressed.

Neva has become such wonderful teacher for Gretchen, and the activites and learning centers that she creates are one of a kind. She has freely voiced when she has concerns, but is quick to remind me that Gretchen is a typically 4 or 5 year old little girl. She has taught Gretchen so much and I know that Gretchen will be well-prepared for kindergarten.

I'm so so thankful that God led us to Immanuel, and that Gretchen was able to attend these past two years there. I'm thankful that Megan has been there for a year and that Adalyn will start Immanuel in the fall.

Gretchen's last day of preschool isn't officially today, but it will be next week some time. I'm not quite sure what those emotions will be like as I sit in her graduation ceremony tonight or even next week on her very last day. But, I know that I'm so grateful for the time she has had in preschool and I've loved seeing her learn and grow. 

 I've assured her that she will get to visit because her two sisters will be there, and she's very excited about that! She told me yesterday that she wanted to continue kindergarten at Immanuel, and I wish so bad that she could! I know that she will excel in her public kindergarten next year, as I've heard nothing but wonderful things about her elementary school!

Adalyn's Nursery

We are about 7 weeks away from Adalyn's due date, and I'm so thankful that my mom and grandmother were able to come up at the end of last week and help me prepare! It's hard preparing for baby 3, when you have two other honey pie's to take care of and attend to!

I must say, I wouldn't have been able to complete her room without their help, and i'm always grateful for how much those two women have helped me and blessed our little girls!

Now for the room tour!

When you walk into Adalyn's room, you're greeted with this burlap wreath. The main bulk of the wreath was pre-made at Hobby Lobby, but my mom added some fabric petals, the sign, and her name.

This will be going to the hospital with us and will hang on our door for the few days we will be there.

Straight ahead is her dresser. I've placed a cd player, and a vintage basket with green chevron lining, as well as a tin Peter Rabbit bowl, cup, and her silver rattle. The Peter Rabbit dinnerware was given as a gift for Megan, but I never used it, because her room has a bird theme, but they have a vintage look and are perfect for Addy's room!

Here's a view of her door, dresser, our swing (which will be moved to the living room) and her vintage wall collection.

Her changing pad will be placed on the dresser as soon as we can get MC potty trained- hopefully before Addy arrives!

Both the dresser and nightstand were purchased in Conway at a side of the road stand, where the family refurbishes old furniture. My grandmother purchased both pieces for us for $150.00!

The yellow dress hanging on the wall was mine when I was a baby. The four frames were purchased at a "junk" store here in Tulsa. The white "A" was purchased at Marshalls, and the urn painting was purchased at the same "junk" store. (River City Trading Post). We hung a tin Peter Rabbit plate on the wall, along with a vintage looking sign purchased from Hobby Lobby. Inside the white frame is the corsage I wore at my Little Rock baby shower.

Her crib is to the right when you walk into the door.

Both of my girls have used the crib, and it was given to us by my cousin- her two children used it as well. 

My great-grandfather made this little end table/book stand and I painted it several years ago. I'm tempted to repaint the table in yellow, but I may decide to leave it as is. I received the "Cute as a Button" frame at a baby shower.

My mom made her bedding. Her bumper pad is made with a pink, yellow, and green paisley, and has pink ribbon ties. Her crib skirt is made with a cream, pink, and green stripe material. We paired it with a yellow chevron crib sheet (Target) and three pillows. One that my mother made and monogrammed with the same crib skirt material, and the others, a yellow chevron, and green chevron bolster) were purchased at River City Trading post here in Tulsa.

On another wall, we hung this creme plant basket and placed a few hand made blankets. Three of them were mine when I was a baby, one was given to Gretchen, and one was hand made for Megan.

Our Pinterest inspired project was this button letter "A". We purchased an embroidery hoop ($7.00) and painted it creme. I painted a letter "A" in pink, and then we hot glued pink buttons and sequins. I may go back and add a bow, but i'm not for sure at the moment.

Thankfully, we already had pink ruffled curtains in the playroom, so those were moved to Adalyn's room. The bouncer was Gretchen's, as was the chair. The pink tin mirror was also once Gretchen's, and the green crochet blanket was made by my 2nd cousin for Adalyn. (It matches perfectly!) We also added a green tin bucket with a chevron liner, and I have a lamp at my mom's house, that has a burlap shade that will be placed on the pink nightstand. I'll also get a basket to place inside the stand.

I'm more excited now for her to arrive and i'm simply in love with her sweet vintage inspired nursery! It's simple and complete.... just like our family.

Wipes, Bows, & Sandals

I'm totally in love with this chevron wipe case and matching headband! I also have a bib that will be made as well for this set! I wish I was the one receiving it at a shower!

Wipe Cases $12.00

Shabby headband $6.00

Chevron Bib (not pictured $8.00)

I just finished this Patriotic Stars & Dots bow and I love it! I wanted to incorporate the feather puff that I had, and I love the dot ribbon because it's a bit unexpected for the 4th.

$10.00

I ordered princess ribbon weeks ago, and it came in the mail on Saturday- I love happy mail days! I posted the ribbon on my page, and had a handful of request for orders. I love that this customer chose to pair the princess ribbon with colors of their favorite Disney princesses!

I'm totally making an over the top princess bow next!

The ones above are $10.00

Here's a close up of just one of the bows.

I had another request for just a princess ribbon boutique bow for an upcoming Disney trip. This bow retails for $6.00

I had this gingham stetchy material since last summer, and had used it to make barefoot sandals. These were just waiting to be complete and have sat on my sewing table for a month just waiting. I finally decided to add red bows to them with a red sequin. Aren't they precious!

Find all of these & more HERE.

And, as I was working on many of these orders, I found my girls doing this:

I absolutely love how they are becoming best friends!

Maternity Looks

Another installment of Maternity looks today! I'm telling y'all, this has been fun! I'm really trying to not loose my style during my last trimester, although I can't wait until school ends, and I can just wear pj pants around the house! But, while i'm in public, stylish I should be.... or at least try!

I had a doctors appointment last week, and a woman told me that I was the cutest pregnant woman she'd ever seen..... I think I about cried when I smiled and told her thank you. Because those 6 words are what every 31 week pregnant lady wants to hear! Heck, those words are what every pregnant lady wants to hear!

 My doctor even said I had a nice round tummy..... thankfully, he didn't mention the nice round rear that I've also managed to gain.

Okay, so on to the looks:

When I was at the doctor, I saw another woman wearing a cute jersey skirt, t-shirt, and sandals.... She just looked totally comfy even though she also looked like her water might break any minute.

So, the next day, I found a skirt in my closet, that I thought I could only wear pre-baby. But, it has an elastic waist, which means.... it totally fits! I bought this skirt last spring from Target, and it's color blocked, grey, white, and mustard yellow..... I know, my favorite color. I paired it with a white t-shirt, and a long chunky silver necklace. The t-shirt is not maternity, and I almost put on a side rouched maternity shirt, but then decided not to. After wearing this look all day, I realized the shirt is a wee bit short, and should be retired after today. Plus, it's wash worn, and shall now become a sleep shirt.

But, I was totally comfortable, and I think i'll pull the skirt out again before Addy arrives... and even afterwards!

My next look is semi Pinterest inspired. I was feeling a lack of inspiration, and a little bluesy because i'm running short on pants that fit, and i'm starting to feel like i'm wearing the same outfits over and over again.

I slipped on my Gap long and lean jeans with my bella band, and my navy and white stripe maternity tank from Old Navy. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I paired it with taupe wedges, and then added this wooden red circle necklace with matching earrings, and a bleu bracelet.

I felt a little exposed, so I pulled out my brown maternity jacket that sort of has a military feel, or I've convinced myself that it does to provide some coverage.

I loved this look and i'll wear it again, minus the same jeans. They're just getting too tight in the thighs. I hi-tailed my rear home and took them off immediately! But, at least I looked cute in public!

My final look today is this non-maternity black and white sequined maxi skirt.

I bought it about two years ago at TJ Max, and it's actually a skirt or a strapless dress. Because I've worn it more as a skirt and on my hips, it's a little streched out to wear as a strapless dress.... or, maybe it's because my girls shrink and grow and then shrink again.....

But, I love it as a skirt and paired it with a black maternity tank from Target. And, as I snapped the photo above, I thought, man, from the front, I don't even look pregnant!

And, then, BAM! I turned to the side and you can definitely see my noticeable baby bump!

I also paired the skirt with these earrings from Charles Emerson Designs.

Love them!

About 8 more weeks until baby A gets here, and I cannot wait!!!

On the Facebook Page...

Last week, I was able to go home two days after work by myself and work on hair bows! I'm not quite sure how I managed two afternoons, and I probably should have done laundry instead, but I didn't. And, I don't feel guilty.

"Owl You Need is Love..... and Chevron". This base boutique bow is made with coral and white chevron, and a whimsical owl & tree boutique bow on top, sandwiched between is a green and white dot ribbon.

The Parisian bow has a black and white chevron base bow, a pink feather puff, and Eiffel tower printed ribbon on top. It's perfect for a trip to Paris.... Wait... you're not going to Paris? Yeah, me either, but you can pretend when your honey pie is wearing this bow!

I fell in love with this hot pink and red dotted ribbon, and I immediately made the boutique bow, but then it sat incomplete on my sewing table. Waiting for the perfect pieces to finish the bow.... As I was digging through my supplies. I found this red marabou puff, and bling bow center. Perfect. It's whimsy, classic, timeless. I'm in love.

I mentioned earlier this week that G is playing soccer. Of course, I made her two hair bows to wear during soccer practice. Yes, we wear bows to soccer.

I participated in a giveaway this month, and the winner won these barefoot sandals and matching headband. I thought these sandals would be perfect for age 2 and under, and then I read from someone that their 4 year old wears these with her flip flops. Um.... I'm making Gretchen a pair- stat.

Meggie turns two at the end of May, and we are having a vintage lemonade theme party. Meggie already has her hair flair, but I had to make G's, and I wasn't quite sure what I would do.... I honeslty just thought a large bow, but then I remembered this yellow shabby flower puff that I had ordered, and knew it would be the perfect piece for G's hair accessory. I adorned the yellow puff with a hot pink bow and a lemon wedge feltie.

Sadly for you, this Ivory Blooms headband is already sold, but I had to share! I love the grey and cream chevron headband and the large flower.

I have seen the nautical theme making it's comeback all over Facebook! And, paired with hot pink. I went home and was determined to make a hot pink and navy inspired nautical hair bow. This piece has a navy ribbon spray at it's base, a large hot pink and white stripe bow, and a navy boutique bow on top..... Who wants to go sailing?

I also finished this piece.... It's made with the same turquoise shabby flower puff that G's lemonade piece is in, and again, it was just sitting on my sewing table waiting to be paired with a bow. I had this ribbon from my niece's birthday bow, and it too had been made and just sitting there. Then, my craft lightbulb went off to pair the two together and Voila'!

I ordered this turquoise feather pad back in April and was waiting to pair it with something.... are you noticing a running theme? I either didn't have time to complete projects, or I was waiting until I found the right inspiration.

Pair this turquoise and red together as a quirky way to celebrate the nations colors on the 4th of July or wear throughout the year. It also has a Thing 1 Thing 2 look to it, which only means that your honey pie can wear this bow on many occassions throughout the year!

Lastly, we had a baby shower at work last week for a preschool teacher, and I knew I wanted to make her a shirt to go with the burpies I made her, but I wasn't sure of the design. G helped me pick out the sailboat and the fabrics and I love how sweet the onesie turned out!

Find all of these goodies & more on my Facebook Page.

Or, follow my Pinterest here.

How Do I? Meal Plan

I thought I'd start my "How Do I?" series with meal planning..... a subject that i'm not particulary fond of, but one that must be done...

If you know me, you know that I really hate to cook. I could bake all day (maybe) but I'm not big on cooking a meal.

I'm also not good at meal planning every week, and now you're probably wondering why i'm even bothering wtih this post......

Thanks to Pinterest, my meal planning has been so much easier! I really wonder how we survived before Pinterest.

I typically try to plan enough meals for two weeks, taking at least one of those days for dinner out, and one for leftovers. If DJ is not planning on being home, or if he has to prepare dinner, I might not plan a meal, but we'll heat up chicken nuggets, corn dogs, or i'll cook breakfast foods for the girls. I also take into account any trips we may have out of town.

We also have two nights per week where dinner needs to be ready when we get home or prepared within 15 minutes of walking in the door. On those nights, I try to use the crock pot, or take something out of the freezer that I've prepared before hand.

I meal plan right before a trip to the grocery store. I typically go to our large grocery store twice a month and spend around $200.00 each trip. (more on that to come). Then, I have weekly Target stops where we pick up milk or anything we've ran out of.

Back to Pinterest, and why I love it...... because I loathe cooking; I loathe planning just as much. I have the hardest time coming up with new meals to make, and I fell into a routine of serving the same meals on a rotation. Our meals would typically consist of a taco dish, spaghetti, homemade pizza, and chicken with vegetables. They were just boring, and I had a harder time getting Gretchen to eat.

So, this year, I've really tried to be better with meal planning and coming up with new meals to try. You can find some of my meal planing lists here as well as a few recipes I've tried out here.

I don't usually make a Monday meal plan, followed by Tuesday, followed by Wednesday. I've found that I skip around, so now, I write down meals that I'd like to cook, as well as a summary of the recipe, so I don't have to go back and search for it later. 9 times out of 10, I never find it anyway.

I do tend to stick with a chicken and veggies one night; but I try to change up the way I cook the chicken: oven baked, grilled, or with different seasonings, and we often have homemade pizza at least once, but I've been changing that up too. I've started making my own pizza crust, or i'll use crescent rolls and wrap pepporoni and cheese inside with a marinara dipping sauce. And, if we have pasta, I buy fun shapes rather than spaghetti.

I also refer to my Pinterest board "Dinner Ideas/Main Dishes" and come up with new dishes to serve. After we try them, I may add them into future meal plans, or I get inspired and add new meals with every meal planning session. Some of my pins are a flop, and i'll make a mental note to not try it again.

One of my new favorite blogs is Mix and Match Mama. I've found that it's easier to follow her on Pinterest and just re-pin foods that she has pinned that look yummy!

Now, when do I find the time to meal plan? I often meal plan while i'm on my lunch break at work. I will get on Pinterest and scroll through my DIMD board and then think of what we already have in the freezer, or what I typically cook in a rotation. I grab a notebook and write down a meal with its recipe and then later, I write a grocery list of what to buy.

I also make a note of if i'll need two or more cans of the same ingredients and put tally marks beside that item, so I'll know to buy more than one. If I remember, I'll double check when I get home the ingredients in my pantry so I don't end up with 5 cans of rotel or more!

In the summer, I try to meal plan on Sunday afternoons.

So, now that you know how I meal plan, i'll share with you my current meal planning list!

- Cajun Chicken Pasta

- Doritos Cheesy Chicken

- Spaghetti

- One Pouch Feast

- Tortellini Crock Pot Dinner

- Lasagna Rolls

- Cheeseburger Macaroni

- Turkey burgers

- Homemade Pizza

- Two Timin Pasta Bake

Most of these recipes, I've pulled off my DIMD Pinterest board, a few I typically cook, and the Cheeseburger Macaroni is a dish my co-worker suggested...

You'll see that I do a lot of one pot dishes, or casseroles. I know they're not the healthiest, but it saves me some time, and i'll try to sneak in a few veggies into the dishes (pureed squash or carrots, spinach, or tomatoes).

So, what's your favorite way to meal plan? Do you use a fancy app or website? Are you good at meal planning and thinking ahead?