Simplifying Life

Introducing Everly Reese Rankin

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 13:50:00 +0000

Introducing our sweet little Everly Reese.

Born June 4, 2015 @ 7:52 pm - 7 lbs 5 oz - 19.5 inches.

She is beautiful.

So sweet.

A big eater.

Such a great baby.

Sisters love her.

Mom and Dad love her.

She is loved.

So thankful the Lord chose to bless us again.

Two Days Old

First weekend out!

Sweet Sisters!

2 Week Check Up!

40 WEEKS TODAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sun, 31 May 2015 22:06:00 +0000

Selfie Baby Bump!

Hubby took this picture!

I have officially hit my due date today...my husband's guess is that I will not have Everly Reese today but sometime this coming week. This is the first time I will not be induced (unless of course we need to.)

I am nervous, scared and excited. I am ready to see her sweet face. On the other hand, I do not like to unexpected things...like not knowing when I will be going into the hospital. The Lord has been reminding me that He is faithful. He has everything in control. This gives me much peace.

Everything is pretty much ready for Everly to come on.

We moved into our new house at the end of March so I have been one busy momma. Hence my absence to this blog.

I am hoping to start blogging again soon. I REALLY miss it!

How are you all doing?

39 weeks!

Mother's Day!!

Officially Under Contract

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 20:42:00 +0000

Our home is officially under contract as of this past Thursday! So thankful the Lord has brought us through this process. We will close March 27th. This gives us a good amount of time to find another home.

Today, we spent a few hours driving around to look at homes found online. We like to look at the outside of a home before we decide if we want to look inside. We eliminated 5 homes today by doing this. The outside is very important with little ones. :)

My hubby has a meeting this week to get pre approved for our next home loan. We also need to figure out if there is a creative way to purchase our home before we close. This will insure we do not have to rent.

I am excited to see which doors the Lord opens and closes. Please join us in prayer in finding our next home. :)

Bi-Weekly Menu Plan 12/29 - 1/11

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:09:00 +0000

Skinny Taste Cookbook - Christmas Present

I am trying something new this year. Instead of a menu for just one week; I have decided to plan for two weeks at a time. This will (hopefully) save me money in the long run since I will not be going to the grocery store 4 times each month...this is the plan anyways.

I am proud to say I have cooked every day this week except one since we had leftovers but with a twist. Here is our menu for this week and next.

Breakfast:

oatmeal
protein bars with fruit (nathan has started going to the gym again)
cereal

Lunches:

peanut butter sandwiches
fruit and/or veggies
leftovers

Dinners:

monday - pancakes with bacon
tuesday - chicken parm with spaghetti
wednesday - slow cooker santa fe chicken (skinny taste)
thursday - french bread pizza supreme (skinny taste - modified)
friday - santa fe chicken leftovers on tortilla shells
saturday - baked potatoes, grilled chicken (from work) and tossed salad (dessert: peach crisp)
sunday - sunday roast with gravy (skinny taste) mashed potatoes, tossed salad, broccoli

monday - grilled chicken (from work), pasta and tossed salad (dessert: strawberry crisp)
tuesday - italian bread pizza (either bbq chicken or pepperoni)
wednesday - chicken saute with peppers and goat cheese served with pasta (weight watchers)
thursday - tacos with dear meat
friday - leftovers (raid the fridge!)
saturday - country fried steak with roasted sweet potatoes and veggies
sunday - homemade pizza (this will probably be changed to something else)

I am excited to see how much money we can save by planning for two weeks instead of one. Also, we will save by not going out to eat. I am so tired of that. We just want home cooked meals!

Between Aldi and Walmart I spent about $108 (this includes toilet paper, diapers and breathing strips) - food total was about $85. I picked up a few things twice this week since saturday and sunday we added people to the dinners. That added about $40 - we purchased peppers, cucumbers, 2 ice creams, italian bread, coffee, coffee creamers and a couple other things.

What is on your menu plan? Is menu planning on your New Year Resolution List?

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:34:00 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I have been thinking a lot about setting my new year's resolutions...as I am sure many of you have been too. Usually, it is always about losing weight and getting healthy. This year it will be different for me.

I have come up with a few:

1. Start blogging again. I have missed writing. I did not think it was such a big deal but the past couple weeks have been very stressful for me. I went to an art class on tuesday and it helped so much. It got me thinking that I need to use my creative side more to help relieve stress. Blogging does this for me as well as art making.

{My very close friend told me the other day she was so glad that I was painting again. I have missed it and my skills need some work to get back to normal. lol}

2. Make our meals at home. I have been working a TON lately so our meals have been from work or we have gone out to eat. Too much eating out. I will say that not all our meals were out to eat but it has felt like they have been.

I have already gone shopping for the next two weeks. I have planned everything out....so far so good. I have made all the meals on the list this week. It was nice to get a new cookbook for Christmas so I have lots of new recipes to choose from!

3. Get our house sold. It is still on the market...since October. We have received on offer but it was super low. We are now waiting for another person to (hopefully) make an offer. I would like to get into a new home and get all the rooms ready. Especially since....

I AM PREGNANT WITH NUMBER 3! :D We are expecting another little girl. Her name will be Everly Reese Rankin. We are so excited.

18 weeks @ Christmas

So as you can see, life has been crazy! But I am so thankful for all of it. Here is to a great year...which I know will have its ups and downs but thankfully God is in control of it all. I need not worry.

What are your plans for this year? I would love to hear about them!

Getting Our House Ready To Sell...

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 02:20:00 +0000

Some big changes have been taking place in the Rankin household! We have been so busy with all the new things going on that I have had to put my lovely little blog on the back burner. I realized tonight that I really needed to post something! I have been missing writing a lot lately.

What are the big changes? well....

I am working again for the time being. Serving at Southern Star (Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri nights.)

Teaching at Woodland Park Baptist Church MDO (Tues and Thurs days - 1 yr old class.)

Wednesday night teaching 3-5 yr olds at Calvary Chapel (our church.)

Hailey goes to school every day. 9-2 M, T, T and F. 9-12 W

We still visit grandmommy every Wednesday after Bible study and school.

Biggest thing: WE ARE SELLING OUR HOUSE!!!

It was a spur of the moment thing...well we have been talking a lot about it but really wanted to get a jump start on school for next year for Hailey. She is currently at Silverdale Baptist Academy for Pre-K but we would love for her to be in a public school.

I have 8 days as of tomorrow to finish everything around the house and boy is the to do list long! I have been painting, packing, cleaning, painting and more painting. haha

updated mailbox

painted kitchen from green to revere pewter

front before we cut the trees down

after - trees are gone!

the front as of today - we put pavers down...now for flowers!

update on the main bathroom

There is much more progress but as of right now all I see is what we still need to do. I am trying to not get overwhelmed. I know I can get it done. I just need to get through this week!

How is everything going for you?!

I have been on vacation...

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 12:57:00 +0000

The girls and I left last Monday to head to my home town. We were going to leave yesterday but my wonderful hubby let us stay longer - my brother and his girlfriend came up from school. Plus my sister and her boyfriend have leave from the military right now. It has been great.

We have gotten to hangout with everyone in our family. It has been so wonderful. I will post pictures later. I have a lot. :)

Things we have done:

- beach day (plus another one today)
- pool day
- birthday celebrations (Hailey and cousin Abby)
- dinner with family
- I learned nana's meatloaf recipe
- shopping day
- dinner with aunt Lisa
- crafty projects
- yard sales
- hanging out
- basketball

More will continue today. Beach day and movie night with aunt Lisa.

I miss home and my husband but I am truly thankful for my time with my family.

How have you all been?

Family Vacation Pictures...continued...

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 00:18:00 +0000

this part of the vacation is in virginia. we went to celebrate Mommom's 80th birthday!

Navy ship.

cracker barrel.

kline's dairy bar...best ice cream EVER!

mommom and harper!

chocolate ice cream!

dad and nathan.

watching some morning cartoons!

love this mug!

looking at cows!

dairy cow!

12 hour old calf.

sweet cousins.

what a view!

petting a cat.

i love this garden.

another beautiful view.

aunt and uncle's dairy farm!

kristina and i. love her!

aunt and uncle's beautiful farm house...so in love!

mommom, grandpa bill and 3 of his kids!

cousin fun!

happy birthday, mommom!

swinging time.

cake time!

she loves these two!

sweet girls snuggling. loved this!

so sleepy. kitchen floor. haha

another super cute mug!

making coffee with cindy!

brunch!

silly walrus!

aunt linda - aka harper's best friend!

cindy and i.

ginny and hailey.

Family Vacation Pictures.

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 00:11:00 +0000

i take a lot of pictures. this is some. more to come.

Family vacation - day three

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 19:04:00 +0000

Starting the day off right

Hailey and me outside.

Don't take my picture!

Swinging time.

Family vacation - duck, NC (travel day and first day at the beach)

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 19:02:00 +0000

On the road - driving through the mountains.

Do you see the rainbow?

Delicious meal made by wonderful hosts.

{friends let us stay with them for the night -all 6 adults and 2 kiddos!}

Quick trip to the beach.

Sand time!

The beach! So beautiful.

Pantry challenge week two

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Tue, 27 May 2014 04:12:00 +0000

Our vacation is coming very soon. Four days. So exciting!

This also means keeping up with the pantry challenge.

Tonight was a success. I made homemade blueberry pancakes. I had everything on hand. So simple. Plus today we had lunch at Mom and Dad's house. It was delicious.

Burgers. Hot Dogs. Deviled eggs. Baked beans. Cabbage salad. Watermelon. Ice cream. Sweet tea.

Classic food. Great company.

Patriotic Superheros!

I will say that this weekend we got off track of eat only at home. Life has been crazy. My car window is not going up - nathan plus some friends have been trying to fix the problem for days. Part is coming this week. Then nathan's car was starting to act up so we are in the process of getting a new one...more on that later.

We ate subway, little Caesars, lunch with friends - girls and I split one meal to save money. Plus we took harper out for breakfast and dinner for her birthday.

Hopefully, we will not eat out this week. I should be able to cook for four days. ;) I can do this.

have you tried a pantry challenge? How did it go? How long were you able to last?

Happy Birthday, Harper! Turning 2 years old!

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sat, 24 May 2014 01:57:00 +0000

I cannot believe Harper is two years old! She is such a wonderful little girl. Vey independent. Spunky. Loves to cuddle. Loves to play ball. Loves to tell on her sister for doing things she actually hasn't done.

She can speak in full sentences. Is almost ready to be potty trained. Loves to laugh and be with friends.

She is my sweet precious girl.

I love her so much!

The birthday girl requested juice and to sit in her daddy's chair this morning.

Breakfast time - just Harper and I. So fun!

Waiting for our food.

Giant pancake for the birthday girl!

Toys R Us time with sister. Fun times. Stressful as well. haha

Lunch! She just wanted cheese, chips and tea!

Dinner Date with Daddy!

pantry challenge - day 6

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Mon, 19 May 2014 01:54:00 +0000

Sundays are our quiet day (well as quiet as it can be with two toddlers) - haha. I knew we would just have cereal for breakfast and leftovers for lunch but I wanted to make something delicious and warm for dinner.

I thought Chicken Noodle Soup sounds great! I went to see how much chicken broth I had in the pantry - 2 cups was it. What was I going to do?

I remembered I had frozen the bones of a whole chicken to make chicken broth myself at some point. That some point became today! I had two chicken breasts and the bones plus carrots, onions and seasonings.

I used a bunch of recipes to come up with what became our Chicken Noodle Soup. I did not have celery nor do I care for it cooked.

Ingredients: 7 cups chicken broth, 2 shredded chicken breasts, 5 carrots chopped, 1 onion chopped, 1 cup pasta, dried basil, dried oregano, salt and pepper.

Doesn't that look so good?! It was delicious! I will add more broth to the leftovers to stretch it further.

Oh and I served it with garlic bread - great combo!

I needed something sweet...but not too sweet for dessert. I have lots of cookbooks so I pulled one out. Freedom Farms cookbook - Lisa King has great recipes. I love them all!

Buy this book - you will not be sorry!

These cookies did not disappoint. Next time, I will make them smaller since they spread together. haha my bad!

What did you eat today? Make any new recipes?

pantry challenge - day 5

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sun, 18 May 2014 02:06:00 +0000

Tonight, I needed a quick meal. We went to church tonight plus served in the kid's ministry at the 6 pm service.

Thankfully, Nathan asked if I was making pizza. So simple!

I used MoneySavingMom's Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe. I use this one anytime I am making pizza.

I used 100% White Whole Wheat Flour - I was not use to the texture so it took me a little longer to make it easy to spread it out. plus I gave my rolling pin away recently - i will need to get a new one.

For toppings I used:

- shredded cheese
- minced garlic
- blacked pepper
- pepperoni
- frozen onions and peppers

What are you having for dinner tonight?!

{day 4 - we had a friend over so we went to Chick fil A for dinner. :D}

Yard Sale - TODAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sat, 17 May 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Good morning!

I am up ready to set up my yard sale. I have lots of goodies to sell. Hoping to make some money. :D

Wish me luck. Say a prayer.

Pictures to come later.

pantry challenge - day 2 and 3

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Fri, 16 May 2014 01:59:00 +0000

I am loving this pantry challenge. I am being more mindful of what food we have and how I can use it. Plus I have lost a couple pounds already - eating at home is helping!

Tonight, I made a super easy meal. I put the frozen chicken in the crockpot with a little chicken broth, salt and pepper. It was done in 3.5 hours so I shredded it up and turned it on warm. I added BBQ sauce before serving.

The wild rice was an Uncle Ben's box - 5 minutes. The green beans were from a can - just added butter, salt and pepper. yummy!

Dessert was a last minute idea. I was looking in the cupboards for something sweet and found this mix. I also used this time to let my daughter Hailey help me. I usually stress out when she helps me in the kitchen but this recipe had 3 ingredients - the mix, oil and water. Super simple. I even let her help me stir. My mother in law is going to be so proud of me.

Tastefully Simple Lemonberry Cake

BBQ Chicken, Wild Rice and Green Beans

Yesterday, I made scrambled eggs to go with the leftover sausage and biscuits. I was also in the mood to bake cookies. I have been baking recipes out of one of my Amish cookbooks - everything so far has been a hit. Especially these cookies!

Swedish Butter Cookies

While the cookies baked, I put some water on to boil pasta for the girls' lunch per their request. The school is a nut free zone so I am always trying to get them to eat other foods. Buttered noodles is super easy. I served it with a fruit pouch or squeezies as we call them and a Swedish butter cookie.

Buttered Noodles for Thursday's lunch

I was planning on having a Frittata tomorrow night but we have had eggs twice this week for dinner plus the girls asked for eggs this morning. So I will be coming up with something different. Maybe good old spaghetti with meat sauce served with garlic bread and hot applesauce.

Oh that sounds so good. spaghetti it is. :)

Have you joined the challenge? What have you been eating?

pantry challenge week!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Wed, 14 May 2014 02:21:00 +0000

this morning, i was checking out some of my favorite blogs and i came across the pantry challenge on 5dollardinners.com - i am so TOTALLY in.

we have been working on spending as little as possible on groceries so we can save that money for our family vacations this summer. {i am so ready!!!}

we have spent around $35 - i said earlier that my goal was staying under $100 but i think i need to change it. i am confident we can keep it under $60.

what? i am crazy? {probably but don't answer that.} haha

we truly have a good amount of food in the stockpile, freezers and cupboards.

we need to use it up.

i am in the mood to make lots of things from scratch.

i am in the mood to save money.

i am in the mood to be creative.

are you in the mood?

join this challenge with me. one week. pantry challenge. use what you have.

{i will be purchasing milk and anything else we desperately need.}

tonight we had scrambled eggs, homemade biscuits (yummy!) and baked sausage patties.

for the scrambled eggs - i used 7 eggs and some buttermilk. sausage patties were baked in the oven at 350 F for 20 minutes (flipping after 10 minutes.)

Easy Biscuits (cannot remember where i got this recipe)

2 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
6 tbsp cold unsalted butter
1 cup buttermilk

preheat oven 350 F.

mix first four ingredients together. cut in the butter until it resembles crumbs. carefully mix in the buttermilk - making sure you do not over mix.

flour a flat surface. roll out dough and use a biscuit cutter (or cookie cutter) to cut out biscuits.

{i made thinner biscuits than normal so we could have enough for two meals.}

bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown on top.

tomorrow we will be having breakfast for dinner but i may switch out the eggs for hashbrowns. we have a lot of gardening work to do so we will need the extra carbs. :D

what are you having? comment below!

New Look For the Blog...

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Tue, 13 May 2014 12:05:00 +0000

This morning, little Miss Hailey helped me pick a new background for my blog.

It is cute...who doesn't love robots?

What do you think?

I love it because Hailey loves it.

She is beautiful.

She is so creative.

Monday Meal Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Mon, 12 May 2014 23:05:00 +0000

I am back. I am back to posting our weekly menu plan on Mondays. I have been working on planning out our meals more because this month I am trying to stay out of the stores. We are going on vacation this month so I would like to save money and eat from what we already have.

I have been to the grocery store last week but did not spend too much. I know that I will need milk by the end of the week but that is not a huge expense. I am hoping to spend no more than $100 the entire month. So far, I have spent about $35 - I think this is really great especially since $10 was for our part of the Mother's Day meal...I made two desserts from scratch (recipes coming later.)

I tried to sit down with the girls tonight and get some ideas from them for dinners...they were helpful a little. :D I am happy with what we came up with.

Breakfasts

cold cereal

fruit smoothies or protein shakes

eggs and toast

Lunches

pb and honey sandwiches

veggie burgers

chips, dessert, fresh fruit or veggies

Dinners

tortilla pizzas

breakfast for dinner (eggs, sausage and homemade biscuits)

leftover pork chops, rice and green beans

ham and cheese fritta

spaghetti pie, garlic toast and green beans

southwest roll ups

I am ready to take on the rest of this month. I am ready to see bare cabinets especially before our vacation. We will be making our meals while on vacation but it will be split up. I cannot wait to cook meals with our family....on the beach!

What are you having this week? Any new recipes?

Happy Mother's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sun, 11 May 2014 12:20:00 +0000

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there...especially for those who's children are no longer with them. I pray you have a wonderful day. I pray the Lord blesses you. I pray He gives you strength, love, grace, peace and courage for the rest of your days.

I praise the Lord for all the women that have been or still are in my life. You mean so much to me. Words can not truly express what you all mean to me.

This day is always bitter sweet. The Lord knew who I would need in my life and I cannot express my gratitude.

Mom...I miss you so much. I await the day we will see each other again. I love you.

My Mom and I.

Nana and I.

My amazing mother in law!

Grandmommy - an amazing woman of God.

There are many more "moms" in my life. To everyone...thank you!

May Grocery Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Thu, 08 May 2014 15:04:00 +0000

I am excited to share my shopping trip from this morning. I explored a new to me store - Save A Lot. I may have been in one before but I do not remember it at all.

I read yesterday that Save A Lot had eggs .99/dozen this week. I definitely had to go. I have farm fresh eggs in the fridge right now but I do not like to use them in baking since they are more expensive. I like to make scrambled eggs, fried eggs or whatever with them and bake with store bought eggs.

I also stopped by Bi-Lo to pick up some Tyson Ready Made Chicken and Steak packs - Nathan's Grandmommy loves these. She loves anything easy. :D

---------------------------------------------------------

Save A Lot:

4 dozen eggs .99 each
1 pack marshmallows .50 (reduced price)
Bananas .59/lb

Total Spent: $5.79 plus tax

Total Saved: $3.66

Bi-Lo:

5 Tyson Strips 1.74 each
Paprika 1.59

Used (5) Tyson coupons .55/1 (doubled)

Total Spent: $4.79 plus tax

Total Saved: $14.25 or 75%

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This past Sunday, I picked up a few things from Aldi and the farmer's market. I have spent a total of $24.37 so far this month. We are trying to keep everything to a minimum because we will be going to the beach at the end of this month and to Pa in June.

I have not been blogging as much as I want to because I am trying to take a look at our life. Our spending. Our saving. Our family. ect. Plus I have been picking up extra babysitting jobs.

I want to use all our resources wisely. :D And save as much as we can.

This weekend, I am hoping to have a yard sale. I will let you know how it goes. I have lots of stuff.

Any good deals for you this week? How is your spending going?

Mercy and Grace...

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Wed, 07 May 2014 11:52:00 +0000

photo credit

I definitely needed this word from the Lord today.

I need His grace and mercy.

So thankful He gives it freely.

I just need to come sit at His feet.

Come boldly to His throne.

And He will help me when I need it most.

thankful...

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 17:21:00 +0000

i am thankful even though i am dealing with poison ivy.

i am thankful for medicine to use.

i am thankful for the yard sale a friend and i had together.

i am thankful for a wonderful celebration - hailey's best friend turned 4.

i am thankful for my family.

i am thankful for our home.

i am thankful the Lord has saved me.

i am thankful.

what are you thankful for...even when things are not going exactly how we think they should?

Our Life Lately...

noreply@blogger.com (Carlye Jean Rankin) — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 01:35:00 +0000

Wednesday Before Easter with Grandmommy!

Date Night Wednesday Night (Free Babysitting!)

Nathan had put a gift certificate for dinner in my Christmas stocking so we were finally able to use it! The food was amazing and the company was even better! Thanks to Cara and her kiddos for taking care of our girls. It does help that her kids are best friends with mine! :D

Our bed Friday Night!

Lynne and I at the cabin.

Our amazing friends, Lynne and Ned asked us plus Charles and Kristy to join them at the cabin this weekend for a night away! It was so amazing! Relaxing, Laughing, Good Food, Great Memories!

Nathan enjoying some down time!

Kristy and I down by the river!

Fire Hydrant Open = Children having an amazing time!

Hailey had so much fun!

Harper very unsure!

Dinner @ Southern Star (my old job - missing it now!)

As you can see...we have been having so much fun this past week! I still have many pictures on our camera that need to be uploaded from Easter. It was such a great time making memories with the girls. I cannot wait to share them with you!

How was your week?! Anything exciting?!