Monthly Menu Planning 101

I've gotten a lot of questions on how I do my monthly menus. It all began when we lived in Arizona and we would easily spend OVER $500/mnth on groceries for a family of three (and Luke was just a baby-so really just for a family of two). As I started watching where our grocery money was going I soon realize we were making weekly visits to Costco- which for us is dangerous- too many fun things, way too easy to leave there spending $100 more than expected.  I also remember that when it came to dinner time I would stand in from of the fridge with a blank look on my face trying to figure out what I would make for dinner. Dinners are hard for our family- because of our work schedules we have to have dinner at a specific time EVERY night. I would waste too much time with that blank stare and then by then we had to eat something, which sadly resulted in a lot of money spent on fast food. So not only were we spending a lot on groceries we also spent a lot on fast food which resulted in a lot of unhealthy choices.
I was talking to my sister-in-law about our dilemma-she had a family of 5 at the time and introduced me to monthly meal planning, couponing (not crazy like the people on tv), and doing ONE BIG shopping trip/month. This concept blew my mind- ONE BIG SHOPPING TRIP-how do you do that right? Well get ready to have your mind blown ;)

The first step that I've done is make a Master Grocery List- this list has most items that we buy at the grocery store- Ive left blank spaces under each category so that if I'm making something new that has ingredients not listed on my master sheet I can add them. I've put most things on this list from what we usually get at Sams Club (no Costco near us anymore) to personal items.

I then print out a calendar for the month that I need to work on. Then I get to work. I can honestly say this isn't my favorite task by far as a wife/mother but it has PAYED OFF! I usually do this on a day where I have a good amount of spare time- usually on a Sunday, but today I was sick so I had some free time on my hands. I get all the things I need: my Master Grocery List, my calendar, favorite cook books, and my computer open to Pinterest- they always have good ideas. 

After I gather everything together, its time to fill up my calendar. I go through and write down the dinner item on the calendar while highlighting the needed ingredient on my Mater Grocery List. If Im using a recipe from a cookbook or from Pinterest- I always note the pg. number, what cook book, or recipe on Pinterest- that way I'm not scrambling to find that recipe again.

Pretty soon you'll have a whole months worth a dinner and your grocery list ready to go!

Doing this system we've easily cut at least $200/month off of groceries and fast food, hubby can start dinner preparations if needed with everything being planned out, I'm not waisting hours and hours and the grocery store on a weekly basis- which anyone with a toddler can appreciate! To answer some of the odds and ends:
-Do you really only go shopping once a month? No. I still usually have to go and get milk and produce throughout the month. But I do everything else all at once.
-What if you don't feel like what you've planned for that night? That's happen many of times, the great thing is- you have several days planned out that you can switch a meal out for AND you'll have all the items needed for whatever you've switch for since you did one big shopping trip.
Coupons have also helped us save too. It was easier to get coupons in Arizona than Wyoming, but there are coupon clipping services online that you can go through, the one I've used is ww.klip2save.com 
Like I said I dont go crazy with this-my basement isn't full of a stockpile. I usually only get the ones I need, 
with having a master grocery list done that helps you know what coupons you need. 
I hope this idea will help another family out as much as it has helped mine! Ive found we just get what we need
type of a thing instead of wondering the store trying to think of meals and saying "oh this looks good."

Reunited and It Feels So Good!

After a week in California away from Kevin and Luke- I couldn't wait to see them! We decided I would fly with Eliza to Utah and Kevin and Luke would make the 6 hr drive from Laramie to meet me there and we'd enjoy a weekend together as a family in Salt Lake. I  was greeted at the airport with Luke giving me the biggest hug- Kevin gave me one too. I missed those two!
We started our weekend off by visiting with our Mission President, his wife and some of the missionaries we served with over 5 years ago! Crazy how time flys! It was great playing catch up and introducing our family to everyone.
On Saturday we had lunch with one of my good friends from when I lived out there and then headed to Temple Square for the evening. We went to The Rooftop Restaurant where we had an amazing dinner buffet and an even more amazing view of Temple Square and of Downtown Salt Lake City. it was Kevin and the kiddos first trip to Temple Square- it was a beautiful night to walk around the grounds, spend time together after a week apart, and see all the beautiful flowers.
It was a great weekend spent together- we hope to have more weekend get aways soon!

California Lovin'

I traveled with Eliza to California for Yaya's funeral. It was a crazy trip with just two of us- but we made it in one piece! We spent a week with my parents and all the family. It was a sad occassion that brought us all in town but it was great being able to see my cousins that I haven't seen in 10+ years!
It was extra special to see all the 2nd cousins meet and play together.
We had a family picnic in La Jolla near the beach- it was a beautiful day! Sadly, Kevin and Luke had to stay back in Laramie- they were missed!

My Yaya

About a year ago our family got the shocking news that my grandmother who we call Yaya was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. This was hard to process due to Yaya being so healthy and active throughout her life. The doctors only gave her 2 months to live. However, those who know Yaya and her personality weren't surprised that she lasted almost a year after being diagnosed.
Though I was sad to hear that she had passed I was happy for her at the same time, her body was showing signs of the cancer- she was getting very weak and was on medication to help with the pain she was in.  She had fought the Cancer with a good fight and was done fighting.
The one thing that was mentioned over and over at her funeral service was her caring capacity. She always gave compliments when seeing her-her kind words always made you feel loved and special. Something that I know I can work better at- showing those I love more kind words.
One of my favorite attributes of my Yaya's was her as some may say- bossiness...I like to say she was just spicy! I always knew that you don't mess with Yaya. I think my earliest recollection of this was when I was probably 8 years old and we were all sitting down for breakfast in her home in LA. She had a window that looked out to her backyard (yaya always took pride in her yard and flowers). While eating we saw a squirrel eating her plants- Yaya grabbed her broom, ran outside in her robe and slippers and started yelling and swatting at the squirrel- you NEVER mess with Yayas plants!
I see a lot of my Yaya in me- maybe too much of the "spiciness" that she had, but I am grateful that I had her in my life. She raised 3 daughters while working a full-time job and taught them the value of working while still being an amazing mother. Its because of my Yaya that I too have been taught the value of hard work while being a mother- something that I think is a very hard thing to balance in toddies world- where you're taught you can't do both.
Yaya was also devoted wife of nearly 60 years. I'm sure her and my Papa Don had their fair shares of money issues, fights, sadness, and of course illness- and they stood by each other for through it all. Yaya was a fighter till the end and those who know my mom, sister and myself know that we too have that same spicy-fighter spirit of not giving up on anything- Im grateful for her legacy and for the life lessons she taught me through example.
It hit me pretty hard how Eliza will never be able to get to know her Yaya like I did in this life. But I'm grateful for the knowledge that I have that the two of them will meet after this life. For the mean time, I'm sure Eliza will have that "spicness" we all have been given from our Yaya and I hope I can teach her through my example the power of a complient.