This Mom's Menu for the Week of July 30, 2018

Well, we survived our first few days back at school (almost) without a hitch!

The hitch was totally my fault and involved me not double checking what time school started and delivering my son 10 minutes late to his first ever day of high school.

To say that I felt terrible is an understatement - to say that he will ever let me live it down is also an understatement.

If you read my post last week you know that both of my oldest boys started at new schools this year. Trenton, my 10 year old moved to middle school and Eli moved to high school. Lucas starts preschool in a couple of weeks, but I just can't even think about that yet.

It's so funny to see the difference in personality types in my 2 oldest boys. I always feel like the first few days of school amplify their quirks and differences.

Eli is pretty much exactly the same as I was at his age. He had a rough few days because he didn't know anyone in his classes and couldn't find anyone that he knew in his lunch either. My heart hurts for him, because even though I know that it's not as bad as he makes it out - I also remember feeling the same way when I started high school.

While Eli will talk to me about what is going on, he absolutely does not want my help. No suggestions, no advice, no encouraging words. I am just to sit and listen then move on.

Trenton on the other hand makes friends wherever he goes. He isn't bothered at all that he doesn't know people in his classes because the new people are already his best friends. He loves his teachers and everything is great.

Buuuut - he has a lot of anxiety and wants my help with EVERYTHING. He follows my advice to the letter and doesn't understand the concept of improvisation. If things don't go exactly as he expects that they will, then all is lost.

Both boys are amazing, but it really has me wondering what to expect from Lucas. I am sure that he is about to throw me a third curveball.

Lucas making a silly face!

But don't worry, I'm a mom so I will catch it (almost) effortlessly 🙂

This weeks is pretty simple and straightforward. The only real change, other then continuing to adjust to new school schedules, is that I am cutting back a little bit more at work.

I work in a skilled nursing facility an occupational therapy assistant. About a year ago I cut back to part time. At the time, cutting back made the most sense because I was struggling to get many hours anyway and paying for childcare and after school care for my kids was really adding up. Especially when I didn't even end up needing it half of the time.

I started working 10-12 hour days on Monday and Tuesday only. With this schedule, we were able to just pay part time rates for after care and child care for Lucas. At the end of last year, It was pretty clear that my hours at work were not coming back any time soon and on top of that, I was really getting burned out with healthcare.

I knew that I just could not do it full time again. I absolutely LOVE the job and my patients, but I just couldn't. That's when I decided to try out this blogging thing. I was able to use my time at home to get This Mom's Menu up and running.

Now, I am SUPER excited to say that the income I make from my blog has far surpassed that of my job, so it's no longer necessary to pay for after school care.

So, I am just cutting back to 8 hour days Monday and Tuesday so that I will be able to pick the boys up myself. I am hopeful that within the next 6 months I will be able to go to just PRN (as needed) at work and make blogging my official full time job.

Of course I can't say all that without acknowledging YOU! This Mom's Menu would not be successful if it weren't for you. I am so appreciative of everyone who takes the time to read my articles, make my recipes and follow me on social media.

It means so much to me that you actually care what I have to say 🙂

Here are links to the recipes that I will be using this week:

• Butter Chicken
• Chicken Thighs
• Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
• Bacon and Bourbon Lamb Chops
• Chicken Wings - I use this cooking method, but usually just top with sugar free BBQ sauce or garlic butter
• Roasted Zucchini
• Coleslaw
• Low Carb Enchiladas
• Sausage Pancake Muffins
• Waffles
• Make Ahead Breakfast Scrambles
• Keto Butter Crackers
• Mint Chip Ice Cream
• Raspberry Almond Chia Pudding

As always be sure to follow me on Pinterest and check out my weekly menu pinterest board for links to everything I'm currently cooking.

I'd love to know what's on your menu this week, so let me know down in the comments!