Moving Sale

If you live in the DFW area and want to hit a summer garage sale this Friday we're having one. It's a big moving sale! Email me and I'll send you the info.

So I guess you can tell we are moving.... long story but a very exciting one!

Last spring we decided to move to the country. We found some houses we loved but they went under contract and a deal on our house fell through.

Wow, things have changed. One of the houses we loved came back on the market their deal feel through and we got it!!! We're working on something on our home now just after 2 weeks on the market.

Lot's of big changes. My blog is going to change.

I see things a bit more like the pioneer women but more green acres! I'll be living on a small ranch. We're going to raise animals and garden. My husband will still be wearing a suit to the city each day. When he gets home he will put on his boots and hop on his new John Deere tractor. Seriously... he is!

The first posts will be at the beginning of September once we've moved and I have computer access.

In the meantime, the city girl is exiting the concrete jungle...... to a new life in the country.

Raising Children Today

A sweet friend of mine forwarded me this post. If you have daughters and you feel like it's you against the world read this.

I don't post a lot about my oldest daughter. I try to protect her from the cyber world. You see she doesn't have a cell phone or even a Facebook. She's the odd girl out. We try hard to preserve her innocence and childhood as long as possible. I'd rather her call friends on the home phone. Facebook is well, just a place for kids to slander one another. I choose to protect her from these negative things. Remember our role of parent is one of leadership and not one of "well my kids want it".

Having younger siblings help her stay young. She loves to play with them. We get many comments from friends and family about her babysitting the younger siblings. People always seem to say "What does she think about that or does she enjoy babysitting?"

I don't say much when people asked because it stumped me for a while.

My answer is she's she enjoys babysitting and spending time with her siblings and they adore her. The other part a little harsh of my answer is she's 14 years old she doesn't make the decisions in our house. Our life does not revolve around anyone ONE person it revolves around our entire family. Each person's needs are equally important and we weigh all needs when making a decision.

We each have roles and responsibilities in this large family. I think it's important to make things work. We have chores to do and we don't get money for it. We teach our children that the responsibilities in a family are shared. We shouldn't expect to get something for helping out. It's just what a family does. How do you think a family back 100 years ago did it? Only today we have entitlement issues.

We make decisions based on the whole not the individuals. In my opinion as it should be. This is opposite in today's society. But then again so is having 4 children and thinking about adding a 5th.

Our family is so very rich in love. We spend time together and enjoy each persons qualities and abilities. I can't tell you how many times we laugh so hard we cry. That is joy to me.

We pray and read the Bible together. Our children learn our faith and know Jesus through our family.

The world has become a dark place. Young teens are surrounded by such immoral things. We as a family feel called to be the "light" in the world. We don't give into things because everyone else it doing it.... actually we do the complete opposite because usually that is the "right and Christlike" thing to do.

So what's my point? This has nothing to do with frugal jen. I felt moved today to share my thoughts about raising kids in this world. Sometimes we feel alone in our thoughts and we aren't alone. Many time others would stand if only someone would stand up first.

I hope this doesn't come off as a negative post. You know tone is so hard to read in writings. I love having a large family and I love my family the way it is. I was an only child so this has been a challenge but it's one that is very rewarding! I love my family!

Summer Fun

My husband and I made it out for a date night... at the Texas Rangers game. We were not frugal we enjoyed it from an air conditioning suite. I think this was the only time I went outside.

We've had many adventures this summer. With a family of 4 I'm all about bargains. We took a bike ride to the park and grilled hot dogs. It's was a ton of fun!

Every evening we ride bikes in the cul-de-sac with our neighbor kids. Sadly we are both moving. We'll miss them!




Sweet little girl loves playing in the water in the back yard. I call it old school fun with a slip and slide and a water hose.

Vacation Bible School has been the highlight of the summer. There is nothing like hearing my children sing praises with friends. I got teary eyed each time I head "How Great Thou Are"

It's always an adventure with us!

We're making up for lost time. Remember last summer I was on bedrest.

Family Trip

We took a 2 week family road trip to Colorado. It was a blast!

I've got to brag on the kids they are some great travelers. We escaped the hot Texas weather for a few weeks and enjoyed nice Colorado weather.

I plan to do a detailed post on traveling with kids and great Colorado spots.
Definitely a family friendly vacation.

Family Playdough Night

Every Sunday night we have family night. I've written about it before. We sit at the dining room table and eat off the nice china (even if we have burgers).

After dinner we play a game, watch a movie or do a family activity.

Last week we headed into the kitchen and had play dough night. It was a hit and a ton of fun! Look at some of our fancy creations.
This is going to enter in our rotation schedule.

Everyone enjoyed it! Caroline even tried to taste it.

You can also make your own play dough, check out this recipe.

I will be taking a bit of a blogging break with the summer a few days a way.

We've got vacations, and honestly I'll have 4 kids around the house that leaves very little computer time. When I get on the computer I check my email.

House Update

Yes you read that right.... our house is not for sale.

Was it sold, no.

We just decided the timing was bad and everything pointed to no.

Let me tell you about it.

We put our house up for sale, weeks later our neighbor across the street went up, then our next door neighbor. We live on a small cul de sac. It looked like something was seriously wrong.

Our other neighbors even commented "Do you know something we don't"

Our oldest daughter made the high school drill team in our current town.

The 2 houses we had our heart set on went under contract.... not to us. There was nothing available that fit our acreage and house minimum. We would be homeless if we sold.

We got an offer while we were negotiating I realized we would have to live in an apartment with 4 kids for at least 6 months (most likely on the 3rd floor).

The kids would move mid school year to a new house and school.

Nothing about this scenario made me happy.... only stressed very stressed.

Are you getting the picture?

The buyers backed out and bought the house across the street. Whew....

It was a close call that made us realize the timing is off.

So our new plan... start looking again next spring and sell our house after we move.

I feel a strong sense of peace. In the meantime I'm enjoying our home, our neighbors and friends.

Menu Monday

Another busy week and many mouths to feed!

We've been eating out so much at least 4 times a week. So ready for a light schedule and home cooked meals. I've got a couple weeks until that happens. In the meantime I'll enjoy that our kids are active and enjoy your activities.

Monday: Make Your Own Sandwich (Baseball Tournament)

Tuesday: BBQ Brisket (Bought the seasoning)

Wednesday: Make Your Own Pizza for our Princess! (Madeline's 4th Birthday)

Thursday: Another busy night, leftover BBQ

Friday: Another busy evening.... eating out.

Saturday: Grill Burgers and relax outside

Sunday Family Night: Mexican Lasagna (Love this stuff, it's been a long time since I've made it)

Reflux Resolved!!!!

Thanks for the ideas a while back for Caroline's reflux. Let me tell you this experience for the last 9 months has been difficult. It's hard as a parent when your baby cries a lot and you can't fix it.

Well we made it through!! Fingers crossed it's over...

The Dr put her on prevacid. They suggested that 6 months ago but I resisted the meds.

It took about 1 week to start working.

We also switched her formula from Similac Sensitive to Similac Sensitive R.S. for spit ups.

The result 2 weeks later I have a new child. She's happy and she's eating very well.

In 1 week her personality has completely changed. She's laughing and babbling so much. She's a happy baby just like her siblings.

Before we didn't have much tummy time or sitting time because she would barf all over the place each time she was sat up. She's making up for lost time she will sit for an hour an play with toys on the floor just as content as can be.

I feel like I can get my life back under control. I can get back to projects, frugal shopping, and most of all sanity!!

Menu Monday

Here is Caroline ready to eat in her high chair. This girl has a big appetite!
As the end of the school year comes to a close our schedule gets really busy. Lots of parties, recitals, games, and cookouts. We have a lot of fun getting ready for the summer. One of my favorite things about the summer is grilling outside. Nothing like the smell of the grill.

Monday: Grilled Chicken Fajitas


Tuesday: Make Your Own Sandwiches (Baseball and Dance Night, very very busy)


Wednesday: Wine Wednesday for Mom and Dad, Baked Ziti for Dinner
( I make dinner ahead and put in oven while we have our quiet time)


Thursday: Leftover Ziti and Salad


Friday: Boys out to Texas Rangers Game, Girls out to eat after Kate's choir performance


Saturday: Dinner at friends party


Sunday: Dance recital's for both girls all day long, hopefully we can fit some food in.


I've NEVER made BBQ brisket without a kit. Can someone share their recipe? Do you use crock pot, smoker or oven? I know, I'm from Texas this is embarrassing to ask.

What's Up

Nothing going on with the house, except all the one's we like keep going under contract. Hey, if you have a house you want to sell have us like it and it's sure to be gone within a week!

My silly girls have been doing a lot of playing together. My oldest daughter made her high school drill team!! YEAH!!!

We've made several walks down the street to the park. Will is becoming quite the football star. Watch out Tony Romo...

Spring time weather is prime for grilling. I love the smell of burgers on the grill.

Speaking of burgers and meat... a good friend of ours

(Jason, shout out) told us we had to watch Food Inc. All I can say is we are now spending top dollar for grass fed beef, free range chicken, and organic milk. So long Frugal Jen!

We had a wonderful Easter.

As you can see Ariel even made it to church with us. Madeline thinks she is growing fins (her toe nails). She insists we paint them purple like Ariel.