I have not menu planned in a while, or at least not shared my plan here on my blog. I just had a whirlwind of a few weeks here and have been working my tail off. I must say God has truly blessed me with many, many Writer for Hire clients as well as bookings for Beauty by Design Ministries so he’s been keeping me on my toes, not to mention just trying to keep up with my kids and our church activities and activities with family and friends. Lily had a birthday, Baker was out for Spring Break and we had some fun with friends and then of course the Easter Holiday, followed by my doing a big event in Tupelo this weekend.

I seriously need to get back into some routines. I had been doing so well. I had been menu planning, coupon clipping, budget shopping, working my routines, and everything and then well life hit, the kids got sick, I got sick and then I got busy, so all that stuff fell by the wayside. I would love some encouragement from everyone on how to get back on track after falling off the wagon.

I am planning for over a week because I normally shop on Thursday’s and I’m trying to get back to that routine.

Now for the Menu:

1) pork stir fry, fried rice

2) Dinner Time Quesadillas

3) Crispy Salsa Chicken, Refried Beans Supreme , Salad

4) Saucy BBQ sloppy joes, fries

5) Parmesan meatballs, scalloped potatoes, green beans

6) Homemade sausage pizza

7) Red Beans and Rice, corn

8 - breakfast

9) grilled cheeses, vegetable soup

10) Eat out!

Menu Plan Monday is hosted by The Organizing Junkie.

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Yes, that’s right, God still works miracles in our lives, even if they are small ones.  Read more about the miracles God worked in my life the last couple of days here.

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Wow! I took last week off from my writing and working and my goodness am I ever feeling the pressure to get back into routine this week. I have more articles to write before March 31st than I want to admit, 3 speeches for this weekend’s event, I have to get everything together for it as well, and do the normal household stuff, cook, clean, pay bills as the end of the month is fast approaching.

Today, I was pretty productive, clocked 3 hours of work for my writing business and a good hour and a half for my ministry as well as getting my April budget laid out and I picked up around the house fed 2 kids meals and changed a good many diapers. Wheww I’m tired just thinking of all I did, plus I haven’t completed supper yet, only mixed up the meatloaf. So, how do I do it all? My good friend Sharon asked me that via Twitter a few minutes ago and complimented me on my being able to get anything done with two small kids. I often wonder myself how I get anything at all done. But, I know that I am sure that I know one of my keys and that is quiet time.

This past week, since my schedule was much different and our routines were way off, I often unfortunately missed my quiet time or did it at some other time than I am used to doing it. When I say quiet time, I am talking about my time alone with God. This is a time when I try to take my mind off of other things and focus on HIM, I most often write out my thoughts and prayers in my prayer journal, then read my Bible and most of the time some good devotional book or Bible study. Currently I am almost finished with What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Terkeurst. I note things from the Bible and the devotions that speak to me as well. This time keeps me focused on what is most important in my life, the LORD and I find if I do that he tends to help me with the other things. He gives me the timing and blessings I need throughout the day. That call from my mother in law with an invitation to bring my son down there to play or my little girl taking a nap when I need to do just a few more things. It all just seems to happen. I try to remain flexible and I try not to be too hard on myself.

Other than that, I also am a huge to do list maker. And today, I even did a brain dump as my friend Kelly McCausey does. I just wrote out all the many things that seemed to be roaring in my head that I have to “get done” this week after a busy week off and an event looming this weekend and the Monday, March 31st deadline in the horizon as well for many of my writing clients. The brain dump helped so much and I’ve already crossed a good many things off the list. In addition though I normally make my to do lists weekly, divying up my tasks for the week into the days of the week. I do the majority of my work in the mornings as my son is gone to preschool for 3-3 1/2 hours and my baby girl is still pretty cooperative.

I cannot tell you exactly how I do it because I really don’t know. But I know one thing is for sure, I couldn’t do any of it with God. He helps it all come together and I’m sure of that. A year ago now I stepped out on faith to do my girls’ ministry full time. Worried that I wouldn’t be able to make any money, I wouldn’t get enough bookings, I would crash and burn, but nevertheless I took the step. Now a year later, here I sit, with not only a girls’ ministry with bookings, but also a thriving writing business, paid bills, savings in the bank, and a smile on my face. I am happy, I am content, I am living God’s Will!

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I’ve seen a few people put up a contest for naming their Wordless Wednesday. I thought it would be fun and so I am going to do the same thing. Here is my Wordless Wednesday photo, now YOU give it a name. Just post your name in the comments box below. I will choose the name I like the most and that person will receive a free 30 Day Journaling Guide from my Beauty by Design website. By the way, they are on sale 1/2 price through the end of March. So, go check them out! You can grab one up for under $5.

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