Home Management

**March 2012 Update - Forms to share

Meal Planning:
The meal plan form below is one I created in Excel to fit my own needs. So far, it is working pretty well. After choosing the meals and writing them in each day, I review ingredients, check the pantry/fridge/freezer for what I have already, and write down what is needed in the "Shopping List Items" section. I linked my shopping list items to my shopping list worksheet in Excel, so I can populate the items based on my grocery store's organization. I then print the plan and my shopping list. The shopping list is printed to use at the store, and the plan gets posted on the fridge ( soon to be put in my family/home binder) for reference each day so I know what prep to do ahead of time. If you would like, you may download the blank version of the form or use it as inspiration to create your own.
Monthly Meal Plan Form


**January 2012 Update - I am working on several things in the area of Managing My Home. Here are few highlights:

1. Creating and using a monthly meal plan template for shopping and cooking, as well as attempting to schedule in bulk or freezer cooking days a couple of times a month. This is a first for me, and is an ongoing experiment. So, although I am no expert, I will be sharing how these work for me and providing some forms for you to use if you're interested in joining me in this experiment. I am sure there will be mishaps and laughter along the way as we learn to better plan and prepare meals on a budget!

2. Revamping (for the millionth time, it seems) our routine for school and the way that we schedule, assign, and take care of chores as a family. Again, forms are in process and will be provided once finalized.

3. Most importantly, I am seeking God as I desire that keeping and managing my home become a joyful experiences that I appreciate and see as opportunities to serve God and my family. This past year, my heart and attitude have not been in this place, but in a place of resentment with a vision of drudgery. My prayer is that my eyes will see afresh the amazing gift of serving my family and that I will gain wisdom to know the difference between perfectionism and peace. My home is not my only place of ministry and service, but it is my primary one at this season of my life. So, I desire to embrace and find purpose in the unseen and humbling work of managing my home and serving my family.

If you are moving in a similar direction in any of these areas, I hope that you will be encouraged and challenged by the posts I share each Monday, will be part of a series called "Heart and Home." And I look forward to hearing thoughts and ideas from any of you who have gained wisdom, insight, and joy as you have learned to be better managers of your homes.

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It is quite funny to me that I am creating a tab about Home Management on my blog. I am the chief executive officer of the "How in the World Do I Do All of This?" organization.  Most days, I am thankful if the sink is not full of dishes when I fall into bed at 2 or 3 a.m., exhausted and unsure what housework I have gotten accomplished that day or if we will ever eat a home cooked meal at the table 5 nights a week (my new goal)! I laugh about it most days, cry about it some days, and am continually seeking wisdom, advice, ideas, and recipes for all things to do with managing, cleaning, cooking, shopping, saving, and making our home a pleasant place to be (after all, as a homeschooling family we spend a lot of time here).  So, I decided I wanted a tab where I can link to recipes, meal planning tips, chore charts, schedules, and any other old thing that might be helpful but I cannot remember where I read it! If you are reading this, maybe you can find some of these tips helpful, too. Enjoy.




Recipes I want to add to the rotation:
 Chicken Tamale Casserole
 Green Chile Chicken Casserole
 Sweet Cornbread Muffins
 Ham and Swiss Bread Pudding
 Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
 Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Chicken Curry

Loving and Learning How to Manage My Home,


About Me

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I love Jesus Christ, am a seeker of beauty, and am a grateful child of God who would be lost and hopeless were it not for His grace. I am learning to walk in love, see interruptions as divine appointments, and value people and relationships above agendas and results. I pray my life is grace-filled, and brings joy and encouragement to everyone I know and meet. We are a family of 6, built by God through love, birth, and adoption, living in the beauty and the struggle that accompanies parenting kids from hard places. Got questions? Email me at loveandtots3@gmail.com.

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