MEAL PLANNING MONDAY {06/10/19}

 

 

 

If you follow me on FB or IG you know that we celebrated our sweet little Ryker's 4th birthday yesterday.

 

How can our BABY be 4?!

 

 

I've slacked a lot lately with my low carb life.. so its back to the grind this week!

 

 

Here's what's on the menu for this week:

 

 

 

 

Monday:

German Potatoes and Sausage.

I'm not exactly sure why this is called "german", but that's what my mom called them growing up.  Its probably Josh's favorite meal.

We are having my BIL and SIL over tonight so I guess we will see if they are a fan, too! HA!

*I will eat the sausage and make myself some steamed broccoli.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday:

Toastadas!

Easy night for me since we have softball practice! I will set out all the ingredients/toppings and they kids will make their own! #win

*I will make mine on a low carb tortilla, so basically its #tacotuesday for me! :)

 

 

 

 

Wednesday:

Mini meatloafs, roasted potatoes, and salad!

* Easy low carb night for me! I will just sub potatoes for sautéed green beans and bacon! Yum!

 

 

 

 

Thursday:

Grilled chicken wraps!

The kids love these!

*Low carb tortillas and I'm good to go!

 My favorite topping is spinach, red onions, and a little squirt of honey mustard!

 

 

 

 

Friday:

I don't cook! We will eat out or leftovers!

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

 



MEAL PLANNING MONDAY {06/03/2019}

 

 

 

We are in the full Summer swing over here!

 

 

 

Monday:

Shrimp and Grits!

This will be a first time making this and although it sounds yummy... we shall see!

 

 

 

Tuesday:
Rilyn and I are reading thru a book together with a group of friends and their daughter's so we have a 'book club' meeting tonight, therefore, tonight will need to be EASY since Josh and Raigen have softball practice, too.  So I'm throwing some pork chops in the crockpot and making my favorite 5 minute mashed potatoes before we leave!

 

 

 

 

Wednesday:

My Sausage and potatoes!
I don't really like to cook  potatoes two days in a row, but I have some sausage I need to cook and this is a family favorite. I guarantee there will be NO leftovers.

 

 

Thursday:
We are having sub sandwich night! We did this a few weeks ago and EVERYONE requested it more often. I will get a variety of meats and cheeses and all the best toppings! Yum!

Friday:
I don't cook so its whatever you can find or want!

MEAL PLANNING MONDAY {05/27/2019}

Happy Meal Planning Monday on Tuesday!

 

 

I've been making it a habit to share our weekly menu. It helps me get out of the rut of the "same ole, same ole" and as always, I'm hoping you share what you are having! I am always looking for ideas.

 

 

 

Monday:
Memorial Day!

We had a spread! I made sausage, grilled jalapeno poppers,  pasta salad, and beans. And my mom brought over ribs, brisket, and some sides! For dessert she made a punch bowl cake and I made banana pudding!

 

 

 

Tuesday:
Meatball subs!

I have a ton of Italian pasta salad leftover from Memorial Day, so I am serving that, too!

Wednesday:

Church activities!


Thursday:

We are having my super EASY enchiladas!

 

Basically, you fill a pan with frozen taquitos, pour on your favorite enchilada sauce, and top it with shredded cheese! Bake it covered for about 20 minutes and then uncovered for another 5-10 and its that easy!

 

 

These taste like legit enchiladas! SO GOOD!

 

I'm serving them with fresh salsa and a pan of rice from a local Mexican restaurant. #easy

 

 

 

 

 

Friday:

I don't cook, so it's either a pizza night or #whateveryoucanfind!

 

 

Have a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



SUMMER FUN LIST 2019

 

Today I am going to share some fun things we have on our Summer Fun List for 2019.

 

 

Josh and I both work full time so we try not to take off too much in the summer. We definetly want to save our vacation days for upcoming trips we have planned. :)

 

 

that my kids are getting older, our summer calendar fills up fast.  All three big kids are signed up for church camp plus, throw in our summer vacation, CJ, Ryker, and Josh's birthdays, VBS,  travel softball  and before we know it, its time to get back in to the school routine!  Yikes.

 

 

 

 

 

1. Ride Bikes.

This makes the list because honestly during our normal busy week we don't have much time for this fun activity, but now that the kids are home all day with my parents, they will have plenty of time to ride their bikes.

 

 

2. Go get Snow Cones!

We have a new shaved ice place in our town and I think it would be a fun summer tradition to make a weekly stop there!

 

 

 

3.  Our annual Arkansas Trip!

We have been visiting  this gorgeous swimming hole for the past two summers and we LOVE it! We cant wait to go back.

 

 

 

 

4. Celebrate Ryker's 4th birthday- prehistoric style!

 

 

 

5. Celebrate CJ's 11th birthday!

He is requesting a guys day again this year! He wants to invite some of his best buds an head to Urban Air! Easy-peasy! I'm kind of sad though... I tried to talk him into a big pool party but he said no. #iwantapoolparty :)

 See CJ- wasn't that pool party SO fun!

(And look how CUTE and LITTLE he is!!)

 

 

6.  Make homemade ice cream! Sounds fun, huh?

Here is our homemade ice cream recipe, HERE!

 

 

 

7.  Lunch at the park!

 

 

 

 

8.  Go to the movies!

 

 

 

9.  Lots of swimming!

 

 

10.  Fun crafts!  This doesn't have to be elaborate expensive crafts either.  I bought the girls fabric markers (from Ross for $1.99) and white shirts (from Dollar Tree!!!)  to decorate and they are loving that. I also bought Rilyn fabric, rubber bands, and fabric glue and she's been making scrunchies! So fun! I have a few more fun craft stuff planned so be on the lookout for that!

 

 

11.  Game night (s)

We already do this frequently but during the summer we will do this A LOT! I ordered some new games from Amazon to surprise the kids with so they will be excited about that.

 

12. Take a day off of work and head to an indoor water park!

 

13. Host an outdoor movie night for our friends!

 

14.  Visit the library. Josh took the kids already a couple of times and they LOVED getting to browse the books and pick one out to take home.

 

15. Church VBS!

 

16. Visit our local Rock Shop!

 

17.  Kids cook dinner one night! They will do everything from planning, shopping, to cooking! This should be fun! HA!

 

18.  Visit an Escape Room. I feel my kids are a little young for this but they have been begging to do one! So we are surprising them!

 

19. Visit the new Peppa Pig play center in Dallas!

 

20.  Make a lemonade/sweet tea stand!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope we have given you some fun ideas!

 

 

 

What do you have planned?

 

 

 

-Roxie

 

 

 

MEAL PLANNING MONDAY {05/20/2019}

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

My kids are officially out of school so this mama gets her quiet mornings back!

 

 

Actually, any morning I don't have to sit thru school traffic is pretty great! ;)

 

 

 

Here is what we are having this week!

 

 

 

Monday:

 

Chicken Parmesan!

This is an easy dinner that my kids and husbands love. And since I will be grouting our new tile today and Josh will be doing yard work #adulating, I needed something quick and easy.

We will have a caesar salad and garlic knots to go with it.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday:

 

King Ranch Chicken Casserole.

We haven't had this in forever.

You ever get in the ruts where you eat the same ole stuff?

That's where we have been.

 

 

 

Wednesday:

 

We have church pretty late so we are eating out. :)

 

 

 

 

Thursday:

 

Shrimp Scampi.

I'll serve this with a salad & hushpuppies

Easy & delicious! #momwin

 

 

 

 

Friday:

 

I don't cook so we will eat out or find something in the kitchen.

I usually let my kids eat whatever they want (within reason) and we have low-key, sometimes with a movie, Friday night.

 

 

Have the best week!

 

 

-Roxie

 

 



MEAL PLANNING MONDAY {05/13/19}

This is the last week of school.

 

 

YAY!

 

I know no one can be as excited as teachers BUT I'm pretty darn excited!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This mama is ready to let the kids sleep in and have a much needed break from school activities!

 

 

 

What I'm NOT ready for is for these kids to graze little cattle all day!

 

 

 

 

 

Does anyone else's grocery bill double during the Summer time?

 

 

 

Here is what we are having this week!

 

 

Monday:

Sub Sandwiches!

I'll literally sit all the ingredients on the counter and everyone can pick their meat and cheese and toppings and make whatever they want-Subway style!

We have some dips that I bought this weekend that we need to eat so I will serve the sandwhiches with various chips and dips! It doesn't get easier than that! I love to start my week with an easy supper! We haven't done this in a while and its a favorite of the kids!

 

We have our last T-ball game tonight so its perfect!

 

 

Tuesday:

Pizza Crescent Ring!

We have a softball game so we are having something super easy this night, too. I'll pair this with a homemade pasta salad. The pasta salad will consist of pasta, cheese, our favorite veggies and Olive Garden dressing! YUM!

 

 

 

 

Wednesday:

We are eating out!

We have softball practice and church so we are calling in the help of a local fast food chain.. haha!

 

 

 

 

Thursday: 

Grilled Steaks and Cauliflower casserole!

My kids don't like cauliflower so  I'll make them some mac-n-cheese. I'll serve this with a salad and some sort of bread.

 

 

Friday:

I mean, Fri-yay! :)

I'm the little text emoji with both of her hands up, because no clue! :)

I don't cook on Fridays so its our leftover/find whatever you want night.

Josh and I will actually be in Dallas for the weekend on a special trip (kid free!) he got me for my birthday! Woo hoo! So I will actually probably order pizza and have it delivered for the kids and my parents! I can't wait to spend some time with just my guy!

 

 

Have a great week, y'all!

I'll be working on t-ball goodie bags, teacher gifts, and last day of school shirts!

 

-Roxie

 

 

TEACHER (AND NURSE) APPRICIATION WEEK 2019

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and while I know our teachers appreciated the little gifts we have taken them everyday, I always feel guilty for not doing more.

 

After the recently school shooting in Colorado this week, I'm not going to lie, what I really wanted to purchase them is pepper spray or a bat.

 

Most of the time it doesn't bother me but there are times where my mind takes off and I get anxiety about dropping my kids off at school. We live in a town where everyone knows everyone and I am so very grateful for that. Its always comforting knowing that my kids are loved and their schools have their best interest at heart, but my ultimate hope is for their teachers to be able to teach without fearing for their lives and for my lingering worry and the "what-if's" to go away.

 

 

Ya'll, school violence breaks my heart and the dreadful truth is we have become too familiar with hearing about school shootings. The more I think about it, I can't imagine them actually really feeling appreciated when praying is our only option for protecting our schools. It shouldn’t have to be this way.

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure teachers are grateful to be recognized this week for their hard (extremely hard if you happen to have one of my crazy kids, ha!) work, but I know that if I were them, I would be so much more grateful for the ability to do my job without fearing that one day I'll be called to do much more than teaching rowdy 3rd graders division. 

 

 

Sadly, Teacher appreciation is only limited to one week.

 

 

One week.

 

 One week to appreciate our teachers who wake up everyday and muster the courage to return to work after such a tragedy to teach the kids they love.

 

 

Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Benzing, Mrs, Milburn,  Mrs. Brewer, and our favorite nurse Wiggins - I hope you know how much the Long family truly appreciated everything you do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hangry Roxie Update #10

Well I didn't picture writing you guys a weight-loss update after I ate Burger Kings Chicken Fries for lunch and Seafood Alfredo for dinner... eh, um,  not exactly an ideal weight-loss menu per say is it? 



A sweet friend of mine sent me a picture from RiseUp two years ago and commented on my weight loss progress. 



And of course I immediately compared it to a picture of my this past weekend at RiseUp. 




And wow!

It got me thinking about my diet and how I have slacked lately. 




Why do I do this?

Call it  a diet. And feel like my life depends on it?

My story is not one of overnight success. I didn’t take a magic pill. 



My results were not from a fad diet or a product from an infomercial.

For me, the key to success is a lot of  small changes.

Going from soda to diet soda. Then to flavored water. Then  flavored water to finally plain water.

Nothing is off limits to me and that is actually  the key for me. I eat everything in moderation.

Although I like to stick to a low-carb menu, I don’t believe in forbidden foods in my diet anymore.

As a result of all of those small changes in my healthy eating and exercise, I dropped 65 pounds in a little under 2 years.

I was about 290 in my heaviest in this picture.



I cant wait to see how I look in the next two years.  



No magic pills or surgery. Just small changes every single day.

MEAL PLANNING MONDAY! {05/06/19}

When I get to chatting with my girlfriends one topic that always comes up is new or different EASY supper ideas.

 

 

I'll start sharing our weekly menu plan to give you an idea of some of our easy meals and I hope you'll send me a comment (or two!) of your favorite  go-to week night suppers as well!

 

 

 

 

 

Monday:  Street tacos!

I like to start my work week off EASY! All I'm doing tonight is browning taco meat with grilled onions and I'll make street tacos topped with cilantro and avocado! Yum! I'll make some quick queso in the microwave for a side of nachos and dinner is simple and DONE! Easy-peasy.

 

 

 

Tuesday: We don't have practice, hallelujah. So I'm making shrimp alfredo!
Basically, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, garlic, and Italian blend cheese and toss in some frozen shrimp and cooked pasta and its that EASY! I'm serving it with a salad and garlic bread.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday: We have church pretty late so I will need something really easy so we're having chicken sandwiches!
I buy Tyson frozen chicken patties and bake them till they're crispy. SO GOOD! I serve them on Kaiser rolls and top them with pickles, lettuce, and spicy mayo! I will serve them with chips for the kids and macaroni salad for Josh and I.

 

 

Thursday: We have a softball game so we are having crockpot BBQ stuffed baked potatoes.
Basically, I cook chicken all day in the crockpot (in all my favorite seasonings)  and shred it when we get home and add BBQ sauce. Let that head for a couple of minutes and I cook my baked potatoes in the MICROWAVE. Yes, microwave!! I top the baked potatoes with chives, shredded BBQ chicken, cheese, and sour cream! YUM!

 

These are our favorite microwaveable potatoes! They are .88 ea. at Walmart and cook perfectly in 7 minutes!

 

 

 

Friday: I don't cook.
We will eat leftovers, eat out, or eat whatever we want which means; pizza rolls, grilled cheese, raviolis, or whatever else you can find!





What are you guys having this week?

 

 

WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY (04/24/19)

Posts like these are often my favorite. Life flies by quick, friends, and I want to remember these days forever.

 

 

 

So guys, in case you are wondering about our week, here ya go:

 

 1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK:

 

Do you ever feel like you're in a slump? Eating the same ole thing every week. I get like that. I traded in some of my weekly recipes for some easy ones since we are living that #ballparklife right now.

We have a kid in softball and one in baseball right now so most of our life  days and nights are being spent at the ballpark. We also do travel softball too.

 

 

Monday:

This was our first night FREE in a while! Josh wanted some good home cooked food so I made steak fingers, mashed potatoes, fried okra, and rolls. #sosososogood

I NEVER fry stuff so this was a treat! Let me add too that all four kids had dentist appointments at 5pm after work and I didn't even have to beg Josh to take them! (He had no clue what he was getting himself into, ha!)

 

And after not getting home till about 8 I'm sure he'll never volunteer to do that again.

 

 

Tuesday:

We had a softball game and then Raigen picked up with another team, so we had two games. Luckily I had something super easy planned for dinner.

We had bean and cheese burritos covered in queso! We also had leftover Cowboy Caviar dip and tortilla chips to serve along side too.

 

Wednesday:

We have  church and softball practice for our travel team so we usually eat out, but we are getting so tired of eating out so I'm making chicken sliders in the crockpot! I will season my chicken and let it cook all day. Right before I serve it, I will shred it, add bbq sauce, and serve it on a bun with pickles and onion! Add a side of fancy-smancy potato chips (some other sides we like are potato salad and coleslaw!) and its a meal!

 

Thursday:

Surprise! We have softball!

We'll be having my easy tortellini soup! My kids love this. And bonus- it cooks up SO fast! I'll serve it with a salad and garlic bread. I probably omit the hamburger meat (to cut the time) and just toss in some black olives and  pepperonis that I crisped in the oven! Yum!

 

Friday:

 I don't cook so we are eating out!

 

 

2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

 

 

Look at this cute Easter baby! We are rolling up on his FOURTH birthday ... how is that even possible! :(

 

 

And of course, all my sweets a couple of Easters ago:

 

 

 

 

I reminisce about it ALL! Ya'll, my babies are growing up too fast!

 

 

 

 

  3: WHAT I’M LOVING:

 

I have all the heart eyes for this set a sweet friend surprised me with.

 

 

These cute personalized monogram necklaces I'm selling:

 

 

This verse is a favorite in our house lately:

Faux Barn doors that only cost $7!

This coffee cup a sweet friend got me for my birthday! I LOVE me some 90's music!

 

 

 

And of course I am loving Livingston Crew 10U softball! We went home champs in our last tournament! Let's do it again this weekend too, girls!

 

 

Annnnd the CUTEST ballpark brothers!

 

 

 

 

 

4: WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:

 

Softball and t-ball. On repeat. And some Easter festivities at school.

 

 

 

 

 

 5: WHAT I’M DREADING:

Nothing

 

 

6: WHAT I’M WORKING ON:

Ordering new jerseys for our travel softball team.

Selling tickets for our softball fundraiser.

Planning Ryker's 4th birthday that's coming up in June.

Getting ready for Teacher Appreciation week.

 

 

 7. WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT:

 

 

 

8: WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING:

Vampire Diaries!

 

I  know I'm late to the party- but oh my goodness! If you haven't watched this never-ending series- DO IT!

 

 

9: WHAT I’M LISTENING TO:

Kids yelling. Always.

 

Actually we've been listening to Old Town Road-Lil Nas X - Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus) ON REPEAT. Even Ryker requests this!HA!

 

 

 

 

10: WHAT I’M WEARING:

When you work at the DMV and you love Jesus you wear this shirt on repeat!

 

 

 

 

Have a great week!