Just when you run out of hope.

We are so blessed here. We have food, shelter, and love, lots and lots of love. My parents have helped me out so much. When I was going through chemo they kept a roof over our heads, when hubby lost his job in 2007, they made sure we had health insurance. I could never repay them.

Seems like when things get so hard and you wonder how you are going to get by, God comes through and helps lift your burdens if you trust in Him.

For us, right now we had been really struggling to see how we were going to get past March. We spent many sleepless nights. Now we found out my mom does not need surgery. And they may finally be selling their house that has been an albatross for them for the last 8 months or so.

With so many people out of work and just struggling to get by, I wanted to say sometimes there is HOPE. Financially and health wise 2008 was not a good year for my parents.

We are hoping that 2009 is a year of change, hope, peace and prosperity for all.

Updated Contests of Note

Check out my Contest of Note Section. Its been updated. In today's economic times, who doesn't want to win some free stuff. I especially love when I get something for me. As a mom, I rarely buy myself anything. Seems my son is always out growing shoes, clothes etc.. Not a lot of money left over for mom.

I have been trying to use my eco-friendly reusable grocery bags. Two of mine are fairly cheesy looking. I found a great contest over at Thrifty Thoughts for eco-friendly grocery bags. My favorite is the Love this planet. Check it out.

Frugal Mommy of 2 girls is giving away a planner from Aaron's Booth, what better way to keep organized in the new year.

busymomcontests is giving away Hoohobbers Personalized Rocking Chair. It is so cute.

Healthy Cooking

So a New Year's Resolution has been to cook healthier meals. Last week, I cleaned up and organized the freezers and pantry to get an idea on what we have already. I have been trying to plan a few nights dinners out ahead of time, especially for indoor soccer, swim and basketball nights. I also received the Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld as a Christmas gift. I am trying to"hide" veggies in my hubby's and son's food. I liked her idea of putting berries out at breakfast or carrots and celery out before dinner so the kids can snack while waiting. No more 'Moooooom I am soooooooo hungry, when is dinner?"

Indoor soccer started on Monday. Using ingredients I had already on hand I made a turkey sausage pasta bake. It was super easy. Barilla plus Rotini, a small amount of turkey sausage I browned in the oven, organic tomato sauce, plus the hidden veggies. I chopped up cauliflower, spinach, carrots in my awesome, can't live without, Cuisinart mini prep. The cauliflower looked so much like cheese, My son even helped sprinkle the "cheese" on top. I added a 1/2 cup of mozzarella and baked it in the oven. During dinner, my picky eater, Shamus told me, "Mom this is very, very, very good". I didn't bother to tell my hubby about the added veggies until alter that night. He was surprised since he hates cauliflower. He couldn't taste it at all.

It was quick and nutritious and easy. Homework was done while it was baking in the oven.

Ironically, homework was on dietary guidelines. Shay wanted to know if dinner had come from a can b/c canned food has too much salt. His health class has him looking at food labels which ultimately with him policing us, will force me to make sure our pantry is stocked with healthy foods. So send me any ideas for quick meals.

Happy New Year

Where has the time gone.

2008 was def. a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs and 2009 seems be starting the same way.
Jobs are even more unsatble around here. Hubby survived this round but who knows what the Spring will bring.

So many people are struggling. Normal resolutions just didn't see right.

In 2009,

I want to make sure I spend 10 minutes a day really listening to my hubby when he gets in from work. Not doing homework, surfing the Internet, etc... We seem to have lost our time to connect in 2008 and I feel like we are 2 ships passing at times.

I want to stop the insomnia and try to be in bed by 11PM most nights.

Teach my son how to tie his shoes and his multiplication tables. Make this a priority.

Save more, eat out less. (We need to pay for swim team and we need a car)

Cook healthier meals

Learn to let the little things slide.

Learn I don't have to be right.

Not take things personally.

Look on the brightside, let the negative energy go.

Give more to the food bank.

Continue to support my son and his learning team to accomplish his IEP goals.