Menu for the week of March 17-23

For those of you who didn't know, I am a menu planner. I try to sit down on Sunday mornings and plan a whole week worth of menus. Some days it takes a few minutes, other days it takes a few hours. I have to consider what activities are planned for the week and which kids need to be where at what time. A lot of my friends post their menus on their blogs and sometimes it gives me inspiration, so I thought I would start doing the same. Here's this week's dinner menu:

Monday: Leftover pork burgers, hot dogs and brats
Cottage cheese
Chips

Tuesday: Daddy's bringing Take-out home (girl scouts)


Wednesday: Cheeseburger Macaroni
Peas
Butter Bread

Thursday: Homemade ham and cheese pockets (using Grands biscuits) Family Night
French Fries

Friday: Baked crock pot chicken
mashed potatoes
green beans
rolls

Saturday: Grilled smoked sausage
Hashbrown casserole
Mixed veggies

Sunday: Easter Dinner at Grandma's. I will take a side dish and a dessert.

You know you're a large family when...

* You automatically double knot your own shoelaces.
* You have two refrigerators and a huge freezer and you STILL don't have enough room for all the food.
* It's cheaper to buy a family membership to the zoo then to buy tickets for the day.
* The sign on your front porch reads: "Forget the dog, beware of the children."
* A trip to Mc Donald's costs 50 bucks.
* You fill out school registration papers once and just copy them for all the other children.
* Youbuy a gallon of milk almost daily.
* Your kids don't do school fundraisers because you don't know enogh people for all the kids to sell to.
* The huge pot you used to cook in fed teh family for many meals and now your lucky to get one meal out of it that will feed everyone.
* You buy the smallest school pictures because you can scan and print them yourself.

What I"ve learned from being a mom of triplets...

I've learned that:

1. I am a strong woman

2. Importance of creating a routine and sticking to it.

3. Laughter can get you through anything.

4. It's ok to accept help.

5. As good as a father I knew Derrick would be, he's 5x's better.

6. People without triplets will never understand why you can't go to dinner at a moments notice.

7. Importance of family and close friends.

8. Once in a while you have to throw your plan out the window.

9. What multitasking really means.

10. That motherhood is TRUELY a calling.

11. When failure is not an option, you have no choice BUT to succeed.

12. Do more of what works and less of what doesn't.

13. There is NO such thing as child proof.

14. Even though I only have two arms, I can hold three children.

15. Pick my battles.

16. Lower my expectations.

17. Unconditional love.

Martin Funny Farm News....

We've been so busy over the last two months, we don't know if we're coming or going. Between weights, wrestling, scouts, and work.... there's not much time for anything else. We've started to gear up for spring sports: Baseball, softball, and T ball. I think Derrick is coaching T Ball and maybe helping with Taylor's team. I think sports are so important for kids. It teaches them teamwork and sportsmanship. It also encourages exercise. Too many kids just sit all day! We've both been working like crazy, Derrick working 10 hour days and some Saturdays. Me? I'm working 40 hours a week and every other Tuesday night. I get to go to a few conferences in the next couple of months and I'm looking forward to that. One being a Grant Writing conference.... I'm really excited about it! Spring Break is right around the corner and this year we will be staying at home. Derrick is working on plant shut down and I have to work too. We might plan to go away for the night though. Our "vacation" will have to wait till summer!

Other news; Derrick's truck is fianlly paid for! Yeah!!!!! we're beginning to look for a vehicle for me (my lease is up at the end of this month) and things are starting to come around. Soon we'll be starting to save for our new house. I'm looking forward to designing it. I know it'll take a while, but I can be patient. One thing my children have taught me is patience.

We're hoping to start our family nights again. We've slacked off on those and I miss em'. So, we're bringin' em' back!

That's enough of an update. I've got a menu to plan for the week, so until next time.... take care everyone!

Two of a pair...

Derrick will probably kill me for posting this; but I think it's funny. Here they sit, Aubrey and Daddy both sound asleep with their mouth hanging open snoring like crazy. Love you hunny!

Jake's Girlfriend...

This is a picture of Jake and his girlfriend, Kaitlyn. She came over to hang out, and of course, I had to get a picture. Aren't they cute?

New Addition to the family...

For those of you who don't know we lost our two pets a month or so apart. I won't fill you in on those details, but I will introduce you to our new baby boy. His name is Stewart, he's 9 months old and he's a registered Boston Terrier. He's an inside pet and he's my baby.

B-U-L-L-D-O-G Pride...

Here's a picture of Taylor at the boys Basketball game. She participated in the Bulldog Cheer Clinc. THey got to do a routine at halftime. Taylor was so excited because she was chosen to be the "flyer" on top of the pyramid. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of her in that pose because Derrick took the picture (of the WRONG SET of girls!) He'll never live that down. Oh well! Here she is as cute as can be.

Wrestling days...

Our wrestling days are over (for the 8th grade , that is) . Jake had a good season and we're all very proud of him. I can't believe how much he "bulked" up in just a few months. He really gave it his all this year. His weight class was 140 lbs. I have to add, that mommy did good this season too. I didn't flip out, cry, or panic. I think that's because Jake can hold his own now.... just check out his muscles!

Daddy Sandwich....

The other night we were all hanging out in the living room and the kids decided to make a "daddy sandwich." I think Jake was afraid he might hurt someone if he jumped on top, so he just sat over to the side. It was pretty comical!

Updates are coming....

Hello friends! I just want to let everyone know that I am still alive and we are all doing well. I have lots of updates to post. I*plan* on updating this weekend, given that everything goes as planned. So, check back soon.

Love,
Jenn