Meng Menu

Monday: Spaghetti w/ sausage, salad

Tuesday: Dinner at Open house at school

Wednesday: Pizza roll, salad

Thursday: Salmon, parmesan rice, green beans

Friday: out to eat with in-laws

Saturday: Parmesan chicken, mashed potatoes, corn

Sunday: Sandwiches, chips, jello salad

I stayed pretty much on budget this week at $128. That final tally included printer paper, batteries, and 2 notebooks for Aaron so I was pretty pleased with only going over $3. Plus, really, with two dinners "out" this week, I SHOULD be close to budget. But because my in-laws are coming into town on Thursday, I wanted to do some "special" meals, like salmon (which we don't do that often)

First week of School = So what do I DO all day long?

The boys started 4-K on Monday. It is a program at our neighborhood elementary school and is ALL. DAY. LONG. 8:40-3:30 to be exact. 

Here they are on their first day of school.

Seems like they inherited their Dad's photogenic image....

Benji the Speediest! 

(as he has been introducing himself lately)

(Awkward) picture of Mighty Micah

It has been really weird to have them gone all day. My days seem really long without our "normal" schedule. 

On one hand, I have so much free time! 

Clean the house uninterrupted? yes!

Go to work at Liberty? Check!

Eat lunch with Aaron? Yes, please!

Go to Starbucks with a girlfriend for two hours? Yes, yes, yes! 

On the other hand, I miss my little guys. I have had emotionally down moments every day realizing that our routine and schedule of the last almost-five years is over. 

Playing at Kids Cove? 

Story time at the Library?

Visiting the park?

Playdates with friends? 

All of these things can still happen, of course, but not on the weekly basis that was our normal routine. 

Plus, I know I am missing out on all the funny things they say and do each day. 

And all the hugs, kisses, and "I love you, mommy's" 

Sniff, sniff.

So, this is a big transition for our family. 

But really, my kid-free life is only going to last about 2 more months. 

Then I'll be juggling a newborn and twins with a school schedule. 

So I'm going to enjoy it while I can--hopefully my emotions will cooperate and enjoy it with me. 

This is actually what I have been doing for 3 days straight: 

Cutting out FORTY diapers that I will be selling at Kidz Kraze in about 3.5 weeks. Whew! This was a lot of work. Now I just have to sew them all. 

I think I will keep plenty busy. 

Meng Menu + MEGA school supply savings!!!

I was on a literal shopping high after going to Kroger today. I knew Kroger had some sales on a few items that were on the boys' school supply lists (ziplock bags and kleenex) so I was planning on buying a few things.

Well, I bought EVERYTHING on their lists today (except their nap mat and backpack) and my total for groceries AND school supplies was ONLY....

$128.13

WOO HOO!

Here is what I bought in total for the boys:
(I got several items REALLY discounted due to Kroger's Mega Sales event this week--buy 10 items, get an extra 50c off per item--so I got Kleenex lotion tissues for 99c each and the ziplock bags for 99c each)

4 boxes of Crayola crayons (24 in a box)
2 box of Crayola washable markers (8 in a box - large size)
2 bottles of Elmer's Regular Glue (not school glue)
4 glue sticks
6 boxes of tissues
4 containers of baby wipes
4 boxes of Ziploc bags (2 gallon and 2 quart size)

My total for school supplies BEFORE Kroger savings was $53 (and change)

AFTER savings total: $24.88

So, in total today, I saved $52.97 with Kroger card savings and coupons. YES!!!!!

Then I filled up with gas for $3.17 a gallon with 20c off per gallon with my Kroger card. (Wow....I sound like a spokesperson for Kroger. Really though, if you are a loyal customer, you can get some good deals).

Anyways, I am really happy. :D

Here is our menu for the week

Sunday: Sloppy joes, oven fries, veggies and dip
Monday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans
Tuesday: Stirfry w/ pork and chicken, rice
Wednesday: Potluck (jello salad)
Thursday: Cheeseburger soup, bread
Friday: Pizza roll, salad
Saturday: Party at Bell’s (jello salad)

We have a potluck and a party this week so I am making my ol' stand-by: Jello Salad. It is super simple, cheap (shhh! Don't tell anyone!) and a crowd pleaser. Here is the "recipe":

Jello Salad

2 small boxes of jello (I like to use complimentary flavors like strawberry/peach)

3 cans favorite fruit in 100% fruit juice

Fresh or frozen fruit

Make it:

Mix jello in 2 cups hot water until dissolved. Drain fruit juice from canned fruit in measuring cup to make 2 cups. Add to jello and pour into a 9x13 dish (I use my pyrex dish that has a lid and carrier--perfect for a party!) 

Slice fruit into bite size pieces (I use pears, peaches, and fruit cocktail usually). Add fresh or frozen fruit if desired (I got strawberries and grapes this week. Frozen blueberries are great too!). DO NOT add pineapple because the jello will not gel. Sad....

Stir fruit to mix (dish should be very full). Let salad gel in fridge for 6 hours or overnight. 

Take to your party! I almost NEVER have any leftover. 

Serves 8-10

30 week pictures: Growing, growing, growing!

I am 30 weeks pregnant. Here is the bellah...

(a great photo taken by my 4 year old, Micah. However, I have cropped my face because his vantage point did not do wonderful things for my face....)

I've been able to wear this shirt I made (refashioned from a Men's T-shirt) throughout my pregnancy (though I may not make it 10 more weeks in this shirt!)

 14 weeks 

 20 weeks

 30 weeks

Grow baby grow!!!

Police Officer and PJs OR Why you should get dressed before 9:30am

This is the story of intense embarrassment and children who tell lies.

It was a typical morning.

And by typical I mean, I was lounging in my tiny nightie at 9:30 am.

I had just made a nice cup of French Vanilla coffee and was taking a sweet sip when I happened to look out the window.

I saw a police car.

I saw a police officer...

...walking up to my front door.

"Oh crap!!!"

I ran my 8 month pregnant self to my bedroom and grabbed the only robe that currently covers my body.

"DON'T ANSWER THE DOOR YET, BOYS!" I yell from the bedroom.

The next thing I hear is the door opening and two perky 4 year old voices saying, "HI!"

Oh crap. Why won't this robe go on????

"Is your mommy or daddy here?" I hear the police officer ask.

"No!" Both boys say in unison. "Daddy's at work."

No mention of mommy who is struggling to put the wrong arm in the wrong sleeve of the robe.

"Hmm....Your mommy and Daddy aren't home?" (Probably thinking: I may need to call Social Services.)

Me: (mentally screaming!) Go to your home, stupid robe sleeve! 

Finally the arms get in the right holes. QUICK! wrap robe over ginormous belly and make sure décolletage is covered. Realize that robe no longer comes to my knees....

"YES! YES! I am here!" I run to the door.

I realize that my children are grinning at the police officer in all their whitey-tighty glory.

I also remember that I haven't showered in two days.

Thankfully the officer seems unfazed and hands me a subpoena for my husband, Aaron (who witnessed a domestic violence episode a few months ago and gave a police report about it).

Four minutes later the police officer leaves.

However, it takes several hours for my intense mortification to go away.

The moral of this story is:

Teach your children to NOT ANSWER THE DOOR without a parent.

And....get dressed before 9:30am.

Meng Menu

Sunday: Chicken Parmesan, pasta w/ marinara, homemade garlic bread
Monday: Hot dogs, carrot sticks, chips
Tuesday: Fried pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, kale
Wednesday: Shepherd’s pie
Thursday: Pizza bread roll up, salad
Friday: Fajitas
Saturday: Leftover Shepherd’s pie 

Low budget week this week.  I feel like our bank account is still trying to recover from the 5 day power outage at the beginning of July. I did really well with staying under budget this week: total = $97. YEA! 

It is supposed to be a little cooler this week (mid 80s though with VA humidity...it may not feel any cooler) so I am breaking out a "cooler" weather fav: Shepherd's pie. Click on the link to see my yummy recipe. It serves 8 hungry people so we are going to have it twice this week. 

Meng Menu +tips for saving on meat

Sunday: BBQ beef sandwiches, chips, veggies

Monday: Flavorful (flounder) cod, rice, green beans

Tuesday: Chicken Broccoli alfredo

Wednesday: Scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, fruit

Thursday: General Tso’s chicken, fried rice w/ peas and carrots

Friday: BLTs, chips, carrots

Saturday: Chicken parmesan, pasta w/ marinara sauce, salad

Here's our menu for the week! I was really trying to keep our grocery bill low this week and I ended up spending $105 which included guinea pig food ($7), toilet paper ($6), shampoo ($3), and body wash ($3) for me. I wish the final tally had been less but oh well. 

I'm sure this is not a news flash to anyone, but I've found that a good way to save (and still have meat for dinner every meal) is to shop sales and stretch meat over two meals. 

The BBQ sandwiches are leftovers from our london broil yesterday night. 

I bought a bag of frozen cod on sale for $10 last week and we had it for a meal last week and this week. 

The chicken on Tuesday and Saturday I am using from a BOGO free Tyson boneless/skinless frozen chicken I got 2 weeks ago. Bone in Chicken breasts were also on sale this week for 99c a pound so I am going to use some for making soup for lunch for me and for the General Tso's chicken on Thursday. 

Breakfast for dinner is always a good money saver. I really like a brand of turkey sausage that I can buy for $1.89. It goes on sale frequently for $1 each but this week it wasn't on sale. Plus, eggs are a great source of protein and are really inexpensive for dinner (or breakfast!)

Pregnancy Diary 19-28 weeks

Well, it's been about 10 weeks since I did my last pregnancy diary post. Here are my thoughts--and my 4 year old twins thoughts--about my pregnancy in these past few months:

MAY
May 22: ‎(Benji, laying on my shoulder with his hand on my belly) Me: did you feel THAT?! Benji: (beyond excited) YES!!!!!

May 23: pink or blue? Only 7 more days till we find out!!!

May 24: it's 10:30pm. Time to eat cereal. BABY WANT FOOOOOD!

May 28: Micah: "But I don't WANT a new baby! I want it to go away!" Sorry kiddo....have a feeling that he is going to be a little jealous when Baby Q arrives....

May 29: Benji: Tomorrow, we get to see the baby in mommy's tummy on the TV! (a sonogram from a 4 year olds perspective)

May 30: soooo exhausted today....

Later: Boy or Girl? Appointment at 3:15 today!

Later: Well, looks like more snips and snails and puppy dog tails for this family. We're having a boy! (<-- click here for sonogram pictures and my thoughts about having 3 boys!!)

May 31: Trying to get excited about having a 3rd boy.

JUNE
June 4: Micah got to feel his baby brother kick tonight!

June 5: wow! Baby is kicking so hard it is making me jump! Sounds like he is going to fit right in with his active older brothers! (I am scared....)

June 13: sleep as avoided me for night 2. :P

June 14: finally got a good sleep last night!

Later: just ate chips and salsa and a bowl of fruit loops for lunch. I must be pregnant, or something.

June 15: had a great time visiting with Debbie today! And I got a taste of what it will be like to have a newborn!

June 18: WOW! I received a brand-new stroller and baby tub today from a friend (Glory) (who got them from another friend who was baby-stuff purging)! They are perfect and I couldn't have picked out anything better myself! So thankful!

June 20: watching my belly shake with baby kicks. Always cool and kinda weird.

June 21: heartburn? from water? seriously? :P

June 22: someone searched "June 2012 Belly Shots" and found my blog. At first I was like, "wha-a-a-a-t???" Then I realized that the post was my 20 week pregnancy belly post. Wonder if that is what they were looking for....

June 24: Pregnancy perspective from a man: Me: Pregnancy is LONG. Aaron: Just be glad you're not an elephant. (Very true, my dear, very true).

June 26: naps for me and the boys this afternoon. Mmmmm....

June 27: Baby Q officially has a name! Silas Edward Meng :)

June 28: successfully went through ALL my baby clothes today (newborn-2T). With older twin brothers, Silas is not going to lack for clothes Except for 9-12 months. At this point, he will be naked because I cannot seem to find any 9-12 month clothes. What happened?

Weight gain so far: 16 lbs

JULY
July 3: (5 day Power outage!) Thankful to have some heat relief and a shower today but also feeling tired and cranky

July 3: tried to take a nap today but was thwarted by my pregnancy bladder and a fly who insisted on attacking my face.

July 5: My unborn child apparently views my bladder as his personal punching/kicking bag....oi!

July 6: Can I just stay in bed all morning? Yawn.........

July 6: people still don't realize I'm pregnant if I am sitting down...wow!

Later: Just put away all the clothes that don't currently fit me. Wonder when I will see them again...hopefully in about 6-8 months...

July 7: Being pregnant makes you consider normally insane ideas, like "if I had a catheter would I be able to sleep through the night? Hmmm...." I must be going nuts....

July 9: Abnormally exhausted today. Forcing myself to function. And my boys are wild! Sigh....

July 10: Spent the evening on etsy looking at baby nursery décor for Silas. :D

July 12: Total weight 19 pounds. had a doctor's appt this morning. Everything looks good. Baby/belly is measuring right on track. Talked about varicose vein leg pain.

July 13: has officially out-grown a pair of pregnancy capris. Thank goodness Brittany Meng Rollins (my sis-in-law) helped a girl out by sending me her maternity clothes!

Later: sewing burp cloths for Silas! :D

July 15: just watched The Business of Being Born (full documentary on youtube!) Excellent and inspiring!

July 16: Dear Energy, 1 hour? That is all it took for you to abandon me? please come back! I need you!

Later: agenda for this afternoon: Rest.

July 18: just ate a 2nd bowl of pasta and chicken. One for me, one for Silas. Right? :)

July 24: Best thing about a pregnant mama according to a 4 year old boy: Getting to push in the popped out belly button and say "BEEP!" hahah!

July 25: Benji: "Baby Silas is going to GROW! He is going to grow into a baby sister!"
Sorry, honey. That is not how these things work...

Later: working on diapers for Silas. :)

Pillowcases and Matthew 7:11

It has been one of "those days" at the Meng house. 

A boys-fighting, boys-biting, boys-pinching, mommy-going-nuts, mommy-yelling, "mommy-you-aren't-my-friend-anymore!!!!", crazy kind of day. 

 Yesterday, fully in love with my children, I bought 2 yards of CARS flannel to make pillow cases for Micah and Benji. Today, after exhausting what little pregnancy energy I have (it was only 10am) yelling at the boys and shutting them in their room to lick their (literal) wounds from fighting, I thought:

"They don't deserve for me to make them something special! They are so bad! UGGG!"

While still shaking with anger I prayed, "God, you better give me wisdom right now because I don't know how to deal with these boys!"

Well, we all calmed down and talked about brotherly love and all that stuff. 

And a verse came to my mind:

Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

In that brief moment, I felt humbled and thankful. And I wanted to make the pillow cases again. So here they are, along with the little hooligans I made them for.

 I used this SUPER simple tutorial from MADE

 They were so easy! I made two in 30 minutes (Definitely my kind of project. Fast and instant gratification). 

The boys LOVE them! 

 Here is Micah ready for nap time with his new pillowcase

Benji loves his too!

Glad you like these gifts, boys. 

Heaven knows I have been given so much more. 

Meng Menu + Sauteed Kale with Bacon and Onion Recipe

Sunday: London Broil, smashed red potatoes, garden salad

Monday: Crispy pan fried cod, parmesan rice, green beans

Tuesday: Frozen pizza, salad

Wednesday: Chicken pot pie

Thursday: Grilled pork chops, smashed potatoes, sauteed kale w/ bacon and onions (RECIPE below!)

Friday: Sandwiches, veggies, chips

Saturday: Homemade Biscuits and gravy, fruit salad

Wow. I haven't done a Meng Menu post in a while. The 5 day power outage we had at the beginning of July really threw me off. 

But I am back today! I stayed at budget at $125 today. We were actually given the London Broil by Aaron's aunt and uncle who are embracing a vegetarian diet. Win for us! The original price on the broil was $17! I would NEVER spend that much on a piece of meat so I am very happy to have it (and I have another one in the freezer too)!

We have been enjoying Kale from our garden this summer. Here is how I make it frequently:

Sautéed Kale w/ bacon and onions

Serves 4

Ingredients 

20 stalks of kale (or more), washed, removed from stalks and torn into bite sized pieces (This may seem like a lot but Kale, like all greens, cooks WAY down)

1/2-3/4 cup Chicken stock (fresh or use a 1/2 TSP chicken bullion)

2 slices of bacon, chopped into small pieces

1 TSP minced garlic

2 TBS minced onion

Salt

Pepper

1/2 lemon, juiced or 2 TBS red wine vinegar (if desired)

Make it!

Saute bacon pieces in a large skillet (that has a lid) until crispy. Remove from skillet, reserving drippings. Add onion and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute (or less). Add chicken stock and stir briefly. Stuff  kale in skillet and turn in liquid with tongs. Cover and braise for 5-10 minutes (until desired doneness), stirring 1-2 times. Add bacon back in. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon/vinegar (if desired). Cook and stir for 2-3 more minutes. 

Enjoy!