It's Been A LONG While!

WOW, I haven't posted in a while but that doesn't mean I have been cooking.  I have come across a A LOT of GREAT recipes that I'd love to share and hopefully, I will get back into making regular postings about what's going on in our kitchen. 

Definitely if you try one post your experience good or bad.  I love to get feedback from the men in our house.  Love it when Jake and Ben say something especially because they are so honest.  They use the thumb system:  thumbs up=great, thumbs out to the side=it's okay I'd try it again and tumbs down=well, you can imagine what that means.

It's almost Autumn which is super exciting in our house.  We are in Full on Football Mode...  Jake and Ben are both playing on the same team this year which is great for this stay at home mom.  We are even more excited for the awesome adventure Ernie is about to embark on at work.  After being interviewed and after being selected, on October 1, he will begin the 2 year training to become a Senior Reator Operator.  This is a very intense yet awesome opportunity and we are excited to see where it takes our little family.  With this opportunity comes change.  We are attempting to run the house with a might tighter wallet in a effort to set ourselves up for a world of possibilities once class is finished.  One key aspect of this is planning and with being a stay at home mom and with absolutely loving being in the kitchen I FINALLY am planning out our meals every 2 weeks.  Eventurally I'd like to plan a month but to start 2 weeks is good.  We have a budget and I'm sticking with it.  I am trying to mix it up while adding some kid favorites in.  I have to keep in mind Ernie's schedule, right now he is still on the shift which means he works either nights or days.  I still don't have it straight!  Anyway, I try to plan meals according to what he is working which helps lunches because we aways have leftovers.