Tough Times

Like most people in America, financial issues are everywhere. Many people are struggling to put food on the table and put clothes on their kids. We are doing a little better than that, but it is still definitely a hard time. 2 kids under 2 means 2 kids in diapers. Diapers are expensive to say the least. On top of that, we have 2 kids medical bills, plus mine. We just bought a house, we own 2 cars... Bills grow, but income doesn't. It's a rough time, but at the end of the day we realize how blessed we truly are. We just learn how to do things a little differently.

For a little while, I'm going to do some posts about frugal recipes, fun, and different ideas for your family the CHEAP way. :)

Meat is expensive. We have been lucky to have family who raise cattle, so we usually eat a lot of beef. However, it isn't the season for butchering, so no beef available (Unless we want to pay outrageous prices at the grocery store). Lyndon's parents, however, bought some pork and bought too much, so we were so happy to receive some pork from them. We also got a great deal on some boneless, skinless, chicken breasts during a case-lot sale at a local grocery store.

Without beef, which is what I cook normally, I've been getting kind of creative.

So, Here is my recipe for chicken spaghetti....

Ingredients:

3-4 chicken breasts, cut in strips and covered in bread crumbs or shake and bake

12-16 oz pasta (Any that you have on hand)

2 8 oz cans tomato sauce

1 can petite diced tomatoes

1 packet spaghetti sauce mix

grated cheese

1. Preheat oven 425

2. Boil pasta until tender

3. Heat tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and mix and simmer until pasta is finished

4. Combine pasta and sauce

5. Pour into casserole dish

6. Line breaded chicken on top of pasta.

7. Top with cheese

8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through

We will also serve this with garlic bread and green beans.

We are just getting started on this whole "Being Poor" thing.. Hahaha. Just kidding. our heads are still above water, but it's still pretty rough. We definitely live paycheck to paycheck.

I guess what I'm getting at, is I will doing personal blog posts, but it will also include ways we try to save money and how we are handling 2 kids 19 months apart.

Samson Family Photos

I took my sisters family's pictures yesterday. Here are some that I got! :)

Family Photos 2012

My friend, Kristin, took our family pictures again this fall. Alden was sleepy and not really cooperating and Collyn got hungry. So, it was an interesting time. Here are a few of them.

Bed Invasion

Mail Time!

Alden and Collyn received a Halloween Card in the mail from their great-grandma Kay (Lyndon's grandma)

Alden "read" the card to Collyn. It was adorable.

I love fall!!

I can Hold My Own Rattle!

Mr. Collyn is growing, growing, growing.

He can now hold his own rattle!!

Check him out!

2 Months- Collyn

Mr. Collyn is my teeny little man. He isn't as big as Alden was at this point, but he is healthy and growing. Here are some updates...

GROWTH: Weight: 9 lbs 15 oz (5th percentile) Height: 21 1/2 inches (25th percentile) Collyn is just a little guy. The doctor isn't too concerned about his size, but they will keep watching to see if he is still gaining at his 4 month check-up. Tiny guy.

EATING: We are still exclusively nursing. He doesn't want formula at all. I nurse every 2 1/2 to 3 hours and he nurses about 20 minutes at a time. I think I will try to get him to eat more now that I know he is so tiny. We are planning on starting him on some rice cereal within the next couple weeks.

CLOTHING: 0-3 Month

DIAPERS: Size 1

SLEEPING: Collyn isn't sleeping through the night yet. He goes to bed about 9:30 or 10 PM and sleeps until 12 or 1 AM. Then, sleeps until about 4:30 AM and is up about 8 AM. Sleep is getting better, though. He takes a morning nap about 10 AM until Noon. Then, a few naps here and there during the afternoon and evening.

DEVELOPMENT: Smiles all the time. I love baby smiles. He is starting to kick his legs and arms more. He laughs when you talk to him. He is reaching for toys, even if he can't grab them yet. He also loves to lay on his play mat and watch the toys above him.

I can't believe it has been 2 months already. He is such a fun little guy and he fits perfectly into our family!

Dinner With Friends

On Wednesday's, Lyndon works late at the church because he is at youth group. He doesn't get home until about 10 PM after the boys are in bed. So, I am home alone all day with 2 kids under 2, so it's nice to have someone to talk to.

On most Wednesday's, I go to my parents house for dinner and spend time with them until about 8:30 and then bring the kids home and get them ready for bed.

Last Wednesday, my mom went on a trip with my grandma, so I didn't go to my parents that night. My dad had a meeting that night, so my little brother needed to go somewhere too. I invited my sister and her girls over, and Johnny.

Alden LOVED it.

He had people to play with for a couple hours. They ate dinner here and dessert. It's always nice to have a house that I feel comfortable having people over in. I love having my house filled with the laughter of kids and listening to them play in the yard or in the toy room while my sister and I catch up. ,p>It was a great evening.