ADVENTURES OF AN ISLAND MOM

Menu Plan Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:51:52 PST

I've GOT to get back to planning my menus each week! I've been doing it here and there, but, not on a consistent basis and, boy, have I realized what a time saver it really is!! So, here's to me trying to get back to it. It's not too exciting this week, but, hey, it's a PLAN! For Hundreds of other ideas, check out I'm an Organizing Junkie Monday: Rib Eye Steaks, Baked Potatoes, Salad

Frugal Container Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:16:07 PST

***This is a post I wrote BEFORE I decided to take a break from this blog, so, it's 9 months old, but, ready to be posted!*** As I took a look at the kids' art closet, I sighed, looked away, and almost just closed the doors right away. BUT. I didn't. I took a deep, close look at the chaos going on in there and decided to fix it. But, boy, what a disorganized mess it was!! I realized that

What?! She's back????

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 08:28:45 PST

Yes, my friends. It's true. Or is it??? Maybe?? Maybe not. For today, IT IS!!! For some reason, I rolled out of bed, got my coffee, sat down at the computer and felt an overwhelming urge to write a blog post. THIS is what I have been waiting for!!! I have taken a lot of time off (9 months, to be exact!), and have really spent time evaluating my life, my priorities, my family, and my time.

A time for everything

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:41:08 PDT

I wanted to be the mom, the woman, who could do it all. But, frankly, in this season of my life, I don't think I can. I feel like God is steering me in a different direction, and that direction is, away from this blog. At least, for now.I have LOVED doing this blog, for more than a year, now, but, it was starting to consume me. It was taking up a lot of time, energy and thoughts, more than

Check for the Dents!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:13:11 PDT

I just can't seem to get enough of clearance groceries. Seeing the 50% off sticker makes my heart skip a beat. Here's what I saw that induced the skippage: Most grocery stores mark down canned goods that have been dented, or that have peeling paper, but, that are still perfectly sell-able. At my local Safeway, these little treasured goods were in the waaaaaay back of the store, close to

Stack it Up!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:43:07 PDT

Remember, folks: You can always stack a STORE coupon with a MANUFACTURERS coupon!! Many stores offer their own coupons (check their ads or you can see them online), and you can use your manufacturer's coupons in conjunction with them!! This means $$$ in your pocket! Stack away!!!!

Menu Plan Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:29:18 PDT

It was another great weekend. Gosh, weekends are such sweet family time. Even if we aren't doing much of anything, don't have many plans, and just stay at home---that's, often times, when it's the most precious. *Sigh* We are on to a new week, though, with new adventures! What's on your Menu Plan this week?? Here's what we're having: Monday: Spaghetti and Homemade Meatballs, Green Salad,

It's the little things.....

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:37:11 PDT

Ava, getting dressed this morning (in her amazingly matching outfit, I might add), admiring herself in the mirror: What da think Ukie?" Lukie stands up, peers at her in the mirror and squints his eyes: Ooohhhh, you're so bootiful, Ava! Ava, tilting her head to the side: I know. Lukie leans over and gives her a big hug: I love you, Ava. Ava: I love you, too. Psalm 127:3: "

Natural Remedy for Pink Eye

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:30:22 PDT

My dear Ava had a pretty wretched case of Pink Eye. She came into my room this morning, and looked as if she had been in a boxing match! She could barely see out of her right eye, it was red, puffy and quite mucus-ey. She sobbed that it hurt her so much. Poor thing. It was hard to get a good shot of it, but, here she is at 7:15 this morning:The picture doesn't capture the essence of redness

Another look........Biblical Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:46:41 PDT

This is a post I did back in January on the Biblical Perspective of Vaccines. I thought it might be worth another look....... There were no vaccinations in biblical times, but, there were several references on what should and should NOT be put into the body. Here are my findings:Vaccines are made with known toxic chemicals that are injected into the bloodstream by vaccination. All vaccines

Then and Now

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:15:16 PDT

As you might recall from THIS post, our precious Ava has Speech Apraxia.She is making HUGE progress. Huge.Here is a video of Ava, 10 months ago, doing her ABC's:Here is Ava, today, doing her ABC's:Oh, sweet Ava. I'm so proud of you.

Anna's Birth Story

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:26:17 PDT

So, it was Saturday morning, August 15th, and I honestly woke up feeling like something was going to happen that day. I had been having contractions for days and days before this, I had already lost my mucus plug a week ago and (pardon if this is too graphic!), but was having "bloody show" for the past 7 days!!! (Yeah, don't you love the attractive words that go along with pregnancy?!)

Menu Plan Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:54:12 PDT

Holey Moley.Say it ain't so.My sweet, newly 3-year-old boy has turned a corner.A huge corner. (In the potty-training world, that is.)He went an ENTIRE day on Saturday not wearing a diaper and NO accidents.None.None, I say.Not only that----we were gone all day running errands, shopping, etc. Again, zero accidents.This is huge.Huge, I say.I have been training Luke for months and months with no

8 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:18:49 PDT

I just happened to look at the date and realized it's the 17th of April. How that is possible, I have no clue. Where does the time go?? Only 4 more months until she's ONE?!?! I know I keep saying it, but, I truly CAN'T believe it!!I can't say enough about how much of a sweet-pea Anna is. She is just a super happy, smiley, joyful,content, sweet, good-natured baby.Here are a few

Get Dressed!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:34:18 PDT

One of my goals in my 101 in 1001 is to actually GET DRESSED before the kids even wake up, and do it for two weeks straight.Ugh. It's tough.They are literally yanking me out of bed kicking and screaming. (Well, maybe not kicking, but screaming, anyway........ok, maybe not screaming, but, wanting to scream.)I have not even gotten CLOSE to accomplishing this goal.BUT.I have done it for the

ONE YEAR

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:53:49 PDT

My Dear Devoted Readers~~~~~It was a year ago, today, that I embarked on this amazing blogging journey.It is truly hard to believe.This journey has taken me many, many places, and it is so humbling that you've stuck with me.It is amazing how much I have grown in this past year, just by sharing with all of you. I have never thought of myself as some amazing writer, and, honestly, I didn't start

Proof.

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:32:15 PDT

Yes folks, it's true.Our little 7-month-old is crawling.Lord help us all. .

So Beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:32:15 PDT

Welcome to another Monday, everyone!! We had such a beautiful weekend. There was really nothing planned, nothing to do, nothing to attend.....we just had a beautiful time together, as a family. The weather was beautiful, the laughter and fun was beautiful------it was just so. beautiful. Great, great family weekend. These are the beautiful weekends I live for.Now, it's time for another week

Health does not come through a needle

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:51:43 PDT

As you all probably know by now, I am adamantly against vaccinations---of any kind. The TRUTH has literally set me free. I saw a great quote somewhere, and I don't' know who said it, but I wholeheartedly agree with it. Especially on the topic of vaccines:"A lie is still a lie, even if everyone believes it.The truth is still the truth, even if no one believes it."I urge you all to continue

Natural Living---Chia Seeds

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:52:41 PDT

Lately, on my quest for more natural living, I have been diligently researching seeds. Seeds, you might ask?Yes, seeds.I can remember way back in my childhood, my dad always told us, that, when he eats an apple, he eats the entire apple---the seeds and all. Have you looked up the health benefits of apple seeds? Please do. Since my post today is not on apple seeds, I won't elaborate much, but

........And we're back!! (and MPM)

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:32:14 PDT

We had a wonderful, blessed, fun vacation with all my family on the Oregon Coast, and now we're back!!It's never the easiest thing vacationing with 3 kiddos, four and under, but we survived made it!! It surely was an experience, driving down, our family of five:Staying in the gorgeous beach house: Ok, no pictures of the beach house. What was I thinking?!Touring the Tillamook Cheese Factory:

Happy Easter!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:32:14 PDT

A Happy Easter to you all!!I'll be back tomorrow to share about our vacation and post my menu for the week!HE is RISEN!!!

And......We're Off!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:32:14 PDT

It's Spring Break, and we are headed out for some fun in the sun!!!!........or, maybe rain.Anyway.It will be FUN regardless!!! :-)There will be no MPM this week, and I'll probably be taking a little break from the blog, as well. I'll be spending the week with my entire family------what a treat!!!Hope you all have a blessed, prosperous, lovely week and I'll see you back here, soon!!!~~Sarah

Happy 3rd Birthday, Luke!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:32:14 PDT

Oh, what would I do without this sweet, little man in my life???What a true and immense blessing it is to be him Mama. Truly.oh. how. i. love. him.Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!!!Here's a look down memory lane over the first 3 years of his precious life:~~May God bless you in the coming year, and always~~

101 in 1001---

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:53:40 PDT

Sarah’s 101 goals in 1001 days:Here's a little update of my progress so far:1. Go Make-up Free for an entire week2. Let the kids have dessert BEFORE dinner Completed 2/10. Ice Cream at DQ before dinner!3. Teach Ava and Luke how, why, and when to dial 9-1-1 Somewhat completed 3/10. Ava's got it, now, on to Luke!4. Get a massage once a month for 3 months in a row5. Floss every day for one