Monday- Chicken Fried Rice with Bok Choy

So i got a bunch of Bok choy in my Bountiful Basket...never cooked with it before...so this will be an experiment.

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-fried-rice-with-bok-choy-10000000592352/

Tuesday- Black Bean Spinach Enchiladas

http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2012/03/black-bean-spinach-enchiladas.html

Wednesday- Cafe Rio Tortilla Soup

http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2012/06/our-version-of-cafe-rios-chicken-tortilla-soup.html

Thursday-Chicken Spinach Parmigiana

http://tastyplanner.com/recipes/spinach-and-cheese-stuffed-chicken-breasts

Friday- Creamy Pesto Pasta with Cesar Salad

http://www.notenoughcinnamon.com/2012/08/21/skinny-pesto-cream-pasta/

Saturday- Eating Out!!

Sunday- Matt's Birthday

Pork Tenderloin and Steak (my own recipes)

Creamy potatoes (Grandmas Recipe)

Roasted Asparagus (own recipe)

Vanilla and Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake...unless Matt changes his mind and wants something else:)

Thoughts on Motherhood

Ok mommies.....when people find out you are a stay at home mom, do you ever get the question...."Oh so what do you do all day?"  I just happen to hate that question!

So you may be thinking..WHY .... what is the big deal?  Well I hate it because I shouldn't have to list everything I do all day.  I don't ask the hair stylist what she does all day or the project manager what his day entails.  Sometimes it feels like I am being put on the spot and having to prove that I am not some lazy mom who is too afraid or unmotivated to get a "real job."

I will admit there have been times where I have met successful people my own age who have cool jobs and felt a little embarrassed telling them I am just a stay at home mom.  I feel like I have to add something else like.."well  I also coach high school basketball or I have my degree in teaching"...like it will help make me seem a little more accomplished.   I once met an older man at a convention for Matt's work and when I told him I was just a stay at home mom he looked at me and said, "just...just a stay at home mom?"  He continued to say, "Do not use "just" with your role as a mother.  Motherhood is one of the most important jobs and callings there is."

I have not always felt comfortable playing the role of a mother.  In my earlier twenties I honestly felt too young to be a mother and felt like I was not ready for this job.  I thought I was ruining my children and that I should have never been entrusted with these little free spirits   I was too imperfect and constantly making mistakes.

But thankfully with life there is growth and I have been able to grow  into my calling of motherhood.  I love being a mother and I love staying home with my kiddos   Not everyday is perfect and I make mistakes all the time but I have learned that my children are resilient and strong.  I was born to be a mom, I truly feel like it is my calling and purpose...as cheesy as that sounds and I am no longer embarrassed to tell people that I am just a stay at home mom.  I feel that being a mom.... whether you stay at home or not means that you are part of a group who's common interest is to better our families and society as a whole.  We make sacrifices so our kids can have a happier home, and opportunities that will make them better people.

The more I have thought about it, the more I have realized that being a mother means I have many different roles. We are not just mothers but.... nutritionists  chefs, nurses, maids, therapists, religious guides, monster hunters, professional bedtime singers, dental hygienists  stylists, costume designers, party planners, coaches/trainers/water boys, teachers, chauffeusr, animal tamers, social events coordinators,  journalists, body guards, hair stylists, storytellers, negotiators  cheerleaders, bakers, wardens, tooth fairies, Easter bunnies and Santa's Elves.  These are just a few of our roles we play.

So I guess the next time I am asked what I do...I can confidently list some of my "titles."

So Moms...what are some of the ways you answer the question, "So...what do you do?"

Swim Team

 Avery did swim team this last month.  It was the beginner level and she improved so much.  It was more like swim lessons...only with a swim meet at the end.  She really took to it and felt very confident in the water.

 When it was time for the swim meet she was so excited and confident...not nervous at all....she must get that from Matt.  I know it was just for fun, but I found myself feeling a little nervous for her.

Avery won three first place ribbons and one second place ribbon.  In the car after the meet she was looking at her ribbons feeling pleased with herself and then said, "Mom I could of had all blue ribbons if I would have swam a little faster in my first race."  I had this moment after listening to her talk where I was trying to decide if I should take the mommy road or the coach road...my mommy took over and I tried to explain that the ribbons didn't matter.  It is just about having fun and trying to do the best we can do. But I am secretly loving that she has a competitive side and that she is not afraid to challenge herself.

This same week she had her first basketball game.  This was a whole new experience for Matt and I.  We were trying to coach her team in the midst of pure chaos and confusion.  We got killed by the other team...of all boys... who clearly had been playing since they could walk.  On the way home I had such mixed emotions. She did not really get the concept of the game and with two minutes remaining she asked to sit so someone else could play.  Why would she want to sit?  Was she not interested in the game?   Maybe she was just being a team player.  Maybe she does not really like basketball.  What if she is not any good at it?  What if she chooses not to play?  What if she is only playing because I want her to?  Am I prepared for the day she does not want to do it?  What if I am pushing her to hard and I ruin the game for her and she doesn't want to play because of me.  How can I get these kids to learn how to play the game?  I wonder if the internet has information on how to coach 6 year olds?

I was becoming completing overwhelmed in thought and strategy when I realized I was freaking out about 6 year olds!  I may have a passion for basketball and sports in general but Avery is only 6...she is just a little girl who wants to have fun and be silly and make new friends.  I need to just make it fun for her and one day if she decides not to play....I will have to be OK with that ( but secretly I am praying that never happens:)

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess

 Avery's class was having a big Dr. Seuss celebration.  They got to go to school in their pajamas and read lots of Dr. Seuss stories.  The night before she informed me that each student could bring treats for the class...so using what I had around the house I attempted to make some Dr. Seuss themed cupcakes.  The above picture are the trees from The Lorax (you kind of have to use your imagination on some of these)  I made all the toppers out of chocolate.

 These are the green eggs from the famous...."Do you like green eggs and ham?"

 This last one is the fish from "One fish Two Fish."  It is a fish in a fish bowl.

We put them in the cupcake holder and packed them off to school.  I don't remember celebrating Dr. Seuss as a kid in school.  I am wondering if this is a new trend...but the kids seem to love it.

On another note.  That same day we got to go to Avery's school and present them a donation during their assembly   Exxon is great about giving back to the community so through their partnership with Berry Oil and a local Exxon station...Matt was able to present them a check to go towards buying new books for their library.  It was pretty fun to watch the kids cheer when they found out they were going to get new books!  Avery had been asking Matt for months if she could present the check to the principal.  So when it was time Avery handed the check over and shook the principals hand.  I could tell the she felt so big.

Menu

Monday: Chicken Chili

Tuesday: Pizza and a healthy version that I am so curious to try pizza with cauliflower crust (hopefully it turns out)
   

Wednesday: Cilantro Thai Grilled Chicken with quinoa southwest salad

Thursday: Fish Tacos with Vinegar Potatoes

Friday: Lemon angel hair pasta with chicken and spinach with salad


Saturday: Santa Fe stuffed peppers(my plan is to tweak this a bit using leftover quinoa salad  from Wednesday that I did not put the dressing on...because I know my family will not eat all of it.  This way it gets used in two different meals.)


Sunday: Texas Oven Roasted Beef Brisket with creamy garlic mashed potatoes and honey glazed roasted root vegetables and for dessert....probably homemade ice cream and brownie Sundae's