November 15, 2013
by Dawn Marie Leave a comment

Seven Days of thanks ~ Week 2

I want to give daily thanks in honor of Thanksgiving this year. Instead of a new post each day, I will recap what I am thankful for at the end of the week. It is a great way to reflect on the little things in our daily life that we should be thankful for.

7 Days of Thanks Nov 8-14

Nov. 8
This view from work. While I would rather be home with the kids, it is nice to have something pleasing to look out through my window.

Nov. 9
Little Helpers. Baby Sid is such a messy eater that I am constantly sweeping up after him. Sometimes he likes to help. Actually he loves to use the swiffer on the floor.

Nov. 10
Indoor play gyms. With the cold rainy weather that comes with fall, winter and spring here in the Pacific Northwest, it is great to have some place that the kids can run off excess energy.

Nov. 11
Little Artist. The best thing about having toddlers is the stuff they make for you, or just make. I have always been a fan of handprint art work. Ian has been enjoying make handprint as well. So he asked to paint, and when I came back he was making his own handprint picture.

Nov. 12
Cousins. I am close with my cousins and I love that my sister’s kids and mine are so close, even if they are seven years apart in age.

Nov. 13
OMSI. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a hands on learning museum. They have a toddler play area that brings fun and learning together. It is also great because the kids can play in different areas and I can watch them the whole time.

Nov. 14
Brothers. Ian took it upon himself to read to his brother. I just love it.

What are you thankful for?

November 11, 2013
by Dawn Marie 1 Comment

Menu Plan Monday Nov. 11

Happy Veterans Day! And a big thanks to those who have served, are serving and will serve.

I am sitting here writing this while watching this show called Brew Dogs. (on Sunday night that is)

It is my new favorite show. It is amazing. Not only am I very jealous of their jobs but I really want their beer! OK let’s be honest, any beer will do.

Oh, wait, let me clarify, not ANY beer, but one that I would drink. And one that I would drink would not be clear at all.

OK enough about beer. Now that I think about it I should have a beer week recipe plan…

OK, now back to why you are really here.

First here is a picture of Baby Sid guarding his pre-bedtime snack with his light saber.

With the cold weather coming it is time to make more and more roasts. Most of my Sunday plans will probably some kind of roast.

Menu Plan 11/11-11/17

Mon: Skillet Lemon Chicken with pasta (chicken is not made in the skillet, by the way)

Tue: Sloppy Joe’s Under a Bun Casserole

Wed: Chicken & Cheese Lasagna Rolls

Thr: Crockpt Creamy Italian Chicken with noodles

Fri: Leftovers

Sat: Kitchen is Closed

Sun: Pot Roast and Veggies

Happy Cooking

Need something to help plan your meals? I use the Plan to Eat online meal planner. Try it free for 30 days

Find more recipes at I’m an Organizing Junkie

November 8, 2013
by Dawn Marie Leave a comment

Seven Days of thanks ~ Week 1

Last year I did a “Days of Thanks” blog posts during the month of November leading up to Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed finding something new each day to be thankful for. I wanted to participate again this year, but come Nov 1 I felt stressed about the idea.

I shouldn’t feel stressed about being thankful, that seems counterproductive. I was stressing about having to remember to write something and post it everyday. What if I don’t have time (I was at home on maternity leave this time last year, and now I am back at work) to write about it before the day is done and I am crashed out, asleep, exhausted? What about the days that a “thankful” post will interfere with another post I want to write? Will I end up doing a post about my kids everyday? or maybe about my coffee?

Those thoughts, and more, were going through my head as I was up with a sick baby at 4 o’clock in the morning.

So I decided it would be better to do a recap of the things I was regretful for during the week.

7 Days of Thanks Nov 1-7

Nov. 1
Our humidifier. When Sid woke up in the middle of night having a hard time breathing, I was thankful that I already owned a humidifier. His breathing was back to normal by the time the sun came up.

Nov. 2
Pinterest. I am thankful to be able to share creative ideas with millions of strangers. I found the idea for these Mummy Juice Boxes on there. Ian took them to his school Halloween party, and all the kids loved them.

Nov. 3
Brothers. These two are amazing.

Nov. 4
Ian’s love for LEGOs. It is no surprise our family loves LEGOs. I love being able to pass on my childhood favorites to my kids.

Nov. 5
That second cup of coffee. Yep, I did it. I posted about my morning coffee. But it is so necessary and everyday I am thankful for that cup.

Nov. 6
Preschool. I am so thankful that someone else is teaching my kid. I could never be a parent that home-schools their kids. Way too hard for me. How do I teach this left-handed kid how to write from left to right.

Nov. 7
Face Time. I don’t have an iPhone, but my mom does. My baby cousin is away at college, a freshman, and we all miss her terribly. It is so great to be able to see her face when we talk to her. Baby Sid get’s so excited he tried to eat the phone. OK, so maybe he was giving her kisses.

What are you thankful for?

November 4, 2013
by Dawn Marie Leave a comment

Menu Plan Monday Nov. 4

Happy Monday to you.

I hope everyone was able to recover from Halloween. I apparently have not yet.

I am so far behind in everything, and I am suffering from a cold. (This is where you feel sorry for me and give me condolences)

My dear husband tried to let me sleep in on Sunday (you know, little kids just don’t appreciate day light savings time), and he tried to let me take a nap to rest up. But the kids had different plans.

How can I sleep when you have little hands reaching up and saying “Mama” or when your three-year old says “but I wuv you, and would be sad if you go back to sweep”

Yep my kids are very manipulative.

But hey, I still got this week’s menu planned.