Growing Up

Noah decided that with 3 kids and 1 on the way, it may be time to grow up. A little anyway. So we both have taken measures to be more responsible, more disciplined.

We are also trying to be more helpful to each other.

For example, Noah has been faithfully working on finishing up the deck. It is up, it has a railing, the stairs are functional- what more do I want? Well, he actually is FINISHING it. Tying up the loose ends.

AND he has started (with out any comments from me) putting gas in my van every Tuesday so that I never have to worry about it.

AND he is packing a lunch most days of the week.

I have been cooking. I mentioned before that I had done a once a month cooking plan and made 24-27 meals, none of which I had ever made before.

I love it. I asked Noah how he thought it was going, and he said something like "I haven't noticed much change from my end, I thought you were doing well before."

Isn't he sweet?

From my perspective it is significantly different.

When I first was looking over the once-a-month cooking book I had to laugh. The author said something about when your suppers are prepared you have more time to make sides and treats for your family.

I thought, "whatever! Any extra time I have will be spent out of the kitchen, maybe reading something from the "to be read" stack piling up in my bedroom".

But do you know what? Sunday I was going to make pizza and discovered that I was short on Yeast. ON YEAST!?!? Do you know what this means, people? It means that I have been BAKING!

Yes, I have. Baking bread.

Amazing.

And do you know what else is amazing? When the pizza option got stalled I was able to come up with 3 meals that I had all the ingredients for that could be prepared for us within 1/2 hour! I got to pick which one I was going to make!

We haven't come across any meal that we despise yet. Some we like better than others. I am taking notes so I know which ones to make again.

My plan is to do this one more time with 25ish new recipes. Then I will take our favorites combined with old standbys and make up my own once-a-month cooking and shopping list.

The nice thing about the book I am using is that it isn't all hotdishes (Noah doesn't really like them anyway). Some of them are just marinating meats. There is quite a variety.

My loose plan right now is to eat a "freezer meal" on Monday and Tuesday nights and then once during the weekend. At least some of us eat at church on Wednesdays and Noah and I usually go out on Fridays (just being honest :) We try to eat pizza (either ordered or homemade) once on the weekend. Thursday nights will be Burgers and Fries or a "fresh" meal.

Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be my tough days because I usually am coming off of a sleep deprived work weekend, or working one of those 2 nights. I have a hard time motivating myself to cook when I am tired.

Now if only I could get the KIDS to eat anything that I cook...