Jason here.

We have refrained from posting for awhile, because things have been in motion to align our lives with our goals. After much prayer, those things came to fruition today when I started a new job which will allow more flexibility for family time, decrease stress, and improve our financial standing.

After 15 years of being in the same position and guiding a practice through multiple changes, it was a leap of faith to take a new opportunity. Just like a child with a favorite blanket, that job had become a comfort. I knew where I was, I knew what was expected and I was good at what I did. I was comfortable and secure. But just like a blanket sometimes can, it began to weigh me down and had started to fray at the edges.

I felt convicted to throw off the weight of leadership and set out in a new venue of healthcare. I am now a member of a team that provides home health services to patients in our local and surrounding communities.

I’m excited, a bit trepidatious but at peace. Please pray for us as I start this new venture.

So here’s a look behind the curtain, behind the fun, family Instagram feed. We have been on a spending spree for a few years. Spending what we had. Not putting anything away for later (besides some bare-bones retirement.)

We set a goal at the beginning of this year to have three months salary in the bank by the end of 2019. Enough so that if disaster strikes, we could be okay for a little bit.

We’re only two weeks in, but we have made some progress that we’re very proud of. We’ve stuck to our budget, we’ve eaten at home, we’ve consciously not spent money on frivolous things. We’ve put back our savings for the pay period. We’re celebrating tiny victories. If we can do it, anyone can.

It hasn’t been easy. It’s fun to spend money. It’s fun to not cook. But it sure feels good to be on track. Even if it is just for two weeks. We had to start somewhere. With God’s help and our determination, and barring disaster we’re going to meet our goal.

#budget #financialgoals #familytable #eatingathome

It was a day of purging (and thankfully not the stomach virus kind from earlier in the week.) My goals of getting the house really clean and somewhat organized are coming along slowly. It didn’t get this way in a day, so I can’t expect to set it right in a day. Small goals, small victories.

Since it got cooler outside, Jason made chicken noodle soup for dinner, with Sophie as sous chef. I forgot to buy shredded carrots, so after some attempts at shredding, we had some carrot peels, some carrot slices, and some mangled-up carrots in our soup. But it was so good and so perfect for the cold night. His recipe is below.

After supper, Jason broke out the laser tag (#santawin) and they played outside for a little bit while I finished putting some stuff away. It’s a huge hit and great exercise – Mama really needs to get into the game next time.

The crew before laser tag

#familyfun #easymeal#familymeal #familytable #lasertag

Easy chicken noodle soup

Ingredients

Four chicken tenders, cubed

1 tablespoon butter

salt and pepper

shredded carrots (or mangled-up ones)

egg noodles – wide, flat

1 box chicken broth

Instructions

In a skillet, saute chicken in butter with salt and pepper, set aside

In a saucepan, bring broth to boil, add noodles and reduce heat to simmer

Saute carrots in the chicken skillet

Add chicken and carrots to broth and simmer about 5 minutes

Today we had the unique experience of helping with tasks on a sheep farm. We were invited to visit Hog Creek Farm, home of Darold and Jeanette Furrer. When we arrived, Rafe went out with Darold to call the sheep to the gate, while the rest of us went with Will Brumbeloe, Jeanette’s son (and Jason’s coworker) to the pen. We dried the feeding troughs and spread the feed in preparation for the stampede that was coming.

We got the chance to see the sheep up close and hold some of the lambs, a few that were born just yesterday. They were so sweet! We heard about the daily workings of the farm, and how quickly the herd of 50 had grown since May, when they bought the sheep. We learned that they’re Katahdin sheep that don’t require shearing.

The kids also got to collect fresh eggs (and keep them) so we’ll be eating high on the … um hog, tomorrow morning.

We had such a fun family outing. Thank you so much to Will Brumbeloe and to the Furrers for the invitation and the kind hospitality.

Lori here.

Today the kids went back to school and the quiet got to me a little. I’m usually all for my (up to this year, quite limited) alone time. But I was, and am, feeling how quickly the time is passing and I have to admit, I was sad today at the prospect of my children being away more and more. Maybe it’s just hormones, maybe I’m getting old and it’s all hitting me. Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen the sun shining in what seems like months! But I tried to power through with my organization and cleaning list, because if I’m being completely real, this house is LONG overdue for a purge and a good deep cleaning.

I made some slow and steady progress getting things put away and cleaned up before I had to venture out into the real world, and of course, being busy fends off the sentimental blues for a little while.

As for the food and fitness goals for today, we had a delish casserole for dinner that was low carb, low sugar, and best of all, the kids beg for it. I describe it as a bacon cheeseburger pie with Brussels sprouts. I’m including the recipe with credit to dietdoctor.com and the writer below.

Keto Brussels and hamburger gratin

Ingredients

• 15 oz. ground beef
• 8 oz. bacon, diced
• 15 oz. Brussels sprouts, cut in halves (I cut them into quarters for easier bites for little kids -LB)
• 4 tbsp sour cream
• 2 oz. butter
• 5¹⁄3 oz. shredded cheese (tonight I used a mix of Mozzarella and Cheddar-LB)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper, to taste

by Anne Aobadia,

Instructions

1. Set the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Fry the bacon and Brussels sprouts in butter. Season and stir in sour cream. Place in a baking dish. (I added a layer of Mozzarella here for extra flavor -LB)
3. Fry the ground beef golden-brown, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle on top of the Brussels sprouts. Add cheese and herbs. 
4. Place in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes or until done.

Day 2.

We stayed on track. We’re gonna celebrate small victories. One of our goals is to cut way back on eating out/driving through, for budget and nutritional reasons. We had easy chicken and dumplings for dinner. Here’s the recipe, thanks to Maddie Suber Lepianka:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (we used skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs for added flavor – plus I got 6 thighs for $4.04 vs 6 breasts for $9.49)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can buttermilk biscuits, diced (I tried crescent rolls and they were also delicious)

Garlic powder, salt and pepper and onion powder to taste

Cover chicken and seasoning in water, boil until fully cooked. Remove chicken and set broth aside for later use.

Shred chicken with a fork, return to pot with the stock and add the cream of chicken soup.

Cook on medium for 15 minutes, then add diced biscuits. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until biscuits are no longer doughy.

This served our family of 5 with a bowl leftover. We’re enjoying small children eating small portions for now. We know that won’t last!

Back to school and back to reality tomorrow.

Lori here. One of the main things on my list of changes to make was to end the evening with an empty sink and to prepare for the morning as much as possible the night before. Before the kids went to bed, I told them my intention and told them how they would be helping more with the dishes.

After they went to bed, Jason and I sat on the couch together and created our first post. Then I walked in the kitchen, filled the coffee pot with water and coffee with the plan to set the timer for morning. Without even realizing I had done it, I started the coffee brewing and walked out of the kitchen.

Jason insisted this be our second post. Laughing at ourselves is and will be one of the major parts of this blog. So here’s your first laugh. Please note, Jason is laughing more than me.

#gettingorganized #cleanerhouse #family #challenges #firstfaildocumented