Chore sticks-WFMW

We have started a new system for doing chores.  The kids each take 4 sticks and those are their chores for the weekend.  I give them the whole weekend to get them done.  I am tired of nagging, but I need the help!  I put some fun ones in there too, like make cookies etc.  The kids seem receptive to it and it is easier for me than assigning chores.  It is random, so no more "it's not fair!" arguments!

Monday Menu

Monday
Beef tips in the crock pot
rice
salad
strawberries

Tuesday
Pork loin in the crock pot
baked potatoes
salad
strawberries

Wednesday
bbq chicken
beans and rice
(we didn't have this last week)

Thursday
Italian chicken
boiled potatoes
green beans

Friday
pizza

weekend
soups

Last week's menus didn't come close to what we actually ate.  I was sick Tuesday through Thursday and the kids ate hot dogs, mac and cheese and ravioli.  And they lived!  Our plan is flexible!

I went to Kroger Saturday night (exciting, I know!) and they had ground beef and turkey on clearance! How could I get so lucky?!
I bought a bunch and it inspired me to make about 10 meals Sunday morning to stick in the freezer.  Ground beef/turkey mixture in 3 bags to throw in recipes, 2 bags of meatballs, 2 BBQ chicken, 2 lime marinated chicken for the grill, Asian honey chicken, and sausage gravy with biscuits for breakfast this week for my boys.  I feel so much better having these meals on hand!

How to take an affordable vacation-WFMW

We love family vacations.  With a big, active family it is hard to stay connected and make memories sometimes.  Vacations are good for our family.  With money tight, it can be very hard and seem almost impossible at times. Here are a few ideas that have helped us and may help you too.

1. Find friends or relatives to stay with or use their condo etc.  I know this isn't always an option, but look into it.  We stay at a friends condo in Hilton Head for a fraction of the cost most condos go for.

We have had so much fun staying with friends in Arizona, Texas and Florida.  It saves money and is a lot of fun.  Locals are great resources for sight seeing etc. too.  Don't be afraid to ask, most people are happy to have visitors, especially if they live far from family!

2. Use discount sites. We have had great luck using these sites(priceline, hotwire etc.) for hotels and airfare.  I have learned though to call a hotel and tell them the deal you are getting on a discount site and a lot of times they are able to match or exceed the deal and you can gain the travel points.  It is easier to change or cancel a reservation if it is through the company rather than a discount site too.

3. Plan ahead.  I start buying gift cards for meals etc. months in advance.  I save up all my credit card rewards, rebates and gifts to be used on vacation. That way it isn't such a shock to your budget when you do go on vacation.  This past trip we had $250 in meal cards and $250 in cash cards for gas saved up.  That helps a lot. Also, call ahead or research the area you are going to.  Often there are free events, but you have to sign up early.  The case in Washington DC for us was that we had to write our Senators to get tours of the White House, the Capitol building and the Bureau of Engraving 3 months in advance, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to go.

4. Take advantage of free stuff.  Parks and tours in popular areas are often free.  Hiking and looking at God's beauty is also usually free or low cost.  Our last trip to Washington DC was full of free tours.  With DC though, you have to plan ahead for tours.  See #3.  Our favorite thing in DC was a free walking tour recommended by my brother.  The guide was a retired teacher and he was awesome! He will only take tips! (Walk of the Town tour! btw)

5. Eat in.  I know it is vacation and I want a break too, but with a family of 6 any meal out is expensive!  We limited our meals out and ate in most nights.  We do, however go out for ice cream, Starbucks, pretzel from a street vendor etc. occasionally but this is a lot less expensive than a meal.  While on the road we are pretty much forced to eat out, so eating in isn't as big of deal during the week! 

6.  Enjoy the unexpected.  We don't have cable at home, so watching cable at the condo is a fun part of vacation.  Eating in isn't such a big deal when it saves time that we can watch "Storage Wars" after dinner! Enjoy walks on the beach(free), playing tennis, ping pong, or shuffleboard at the condo(free), runs or walks(free), and reading lots of books by the pool or beach (free)!


By doing these things you can relax and enjoy your vacation without breaking the bank or worrying how this is going to get paid for.  It also teaches your kids that these vacations are a privilege and to be grateful for the time away.  It also teaches them to live with less.  I know this is counter cultural, and can be hard for each of us.  Baby steps!

One of the kids favorite things about the Washington DC trip was riding on the metro!  It wasn't free but a means to get where we needed to efficiently and affordably!

Monday Menus

After a week on the road, I am ready for some consistency!  I am not ready for the crazy busy pace my life is zooming toward!

Monday
Meatloaf
red potatoes
green beans

Tuesday
Shredded BBQ chicken
Beans and rice
fruit

Wednesday
Shredded beef in crock pot
rolls
fruit

Thursday
Left overs

Friday
Chili in the crock pot

Saturday
Potato soup in the crock pot

El Salvador

Annie and I are heading back to San Salvador,  El Salvador this summer.  We had our first team meeting last week and it got us both excited to go.
I can't wait to see Jose Manuel, our little boy that we support.  I wonder if he will even remember me?  Loving on him can be hard, he has had a rough life and doesn't trust many.  We pray for him every night and have his picture on our refrigerator.  He is a part of our family.  I am not sure he knows what a real family is.  His house parents and other orphans are his family.

We leave June 9 and come home June 16th.  We are excited to be able to participate in a Toms shoe distribution while we are there too. 

Ann will be helping with a VBS program for the kids and I will be on the construction team.  I am not skilled, but I am willing :).

Our fund raising is up to the half way mark with support letters sent out and Christmas baking funds.  Ann has been saving up, babysitting and birthday money.

 We have raised $2375 and we need $3500. We will hopefully be able to get that this next week.

The center of the volcano, has been inactive for 20 years.  Residents are still scared of it.

The kids and I with Jose Manuel.  We pray for him everyday!

One of four childrens homes on the Exodo campus.

Monday Menus

The girls and I had a relaxing weekend at home while the boys were off at a basketball tournament.  We ate out a lot, and shopped a little and just relaxed and had fun. 
I did start the packing process for our Spring Break trip this week, it is an all week process for me.  Working full time stinks like that :).

Monday
Breakfast burritos
salad

Tuesday
Meatloaf
red potatoes
green beans

wednesday
Leftovers and clean out the fridge day!

Thursday
Chances are it will be Mcdonalds or Taco Bell, since we will be on the road!

Have a great Spring Break for all of you who get to celebrate!

Monday Menus

I am doing ok on the decreased grocery spending.  I still spend a lot on food. Fresh fruits and vegetables are important to me, that our family eat.  I was able to get a few things at Costco Friday on our day off.  I forgot what an ordeal it is to take all 4 with me to the store.  Geez, they are older, it should be easier, right? 
I had to tell the boys to stop wrestling in the aisles more than once. 
They got in trouble for going back for seconds on the samples. 
They wanted everything. 
I love the fruit at costco, but it is gone already and I won't get back there for awhile.
I am trying to stock up on a few things for spring break that I can.  We usually take already made meals with us, and a lot of groceries too, since the prices on the island can be high.  This year we are stopping in Washington DC for a few days before heading to Hilton Head Island.  There will be no fridge or freezer in the DC hotel, so I will be cooking in HH.  Eating out every night isn't an option for us.  One night out as a family and one date night is our usual.  I cook the rest of the time.
For this week! Joe is out of town most of the week, so it will be simple.

Monday
Baked Potatoes with the fixings (left overs from a friends party) FREE
Orange chicken from the freezer.
veggie stir fry

Tuesday
Potato soup (if there are leftover Potatoes)

Wednesday
Chicken fingers
mac and cheese
Berries

Thursday
Spaghetti and meatballs
garlic bread

Friday
Pizza or leftovers