Menu Plan Monday...Getting back on track and home buying woes

Where do I begin? It has been a real busy summer this year, and I have truely enjoyed spending time relaxing and visiting family and friends. I am so very blessed to be able to stay at home and this has allowed me to visit my family back in Texas for several weeks at a time - something I was not able to do while working fulltime. The kids had a blast staying with grandma for a few weeks - going to day camp, spending time doing archery, arts and crafts, swimming - they even visited the Nasa Space Center and went to a waterpark. My Dad and Step-mom also spent a week with the girls; they went to a ranch and played on obstacle cources, zip lines and then went R-Ving in New Braunsfuls. I am so glad they were able to spend time with their grandparents. I know soon the girls will be "too cool" to hang out with Nana or Pawpaw, but for now I know they love it and it gives Mom and Dad a much needed break from the teenage attitude that has become so prevelant in our home (I have no idea where my daugter gets it ;) 

Well, now that we are back home and the kids are back in school - two days late because I goofed when booking our flights (oops!) - I am really struggling to get our household back into a routine. Getting back into the cooking mode always seems to take me a few days to get back "on my game". I wanted to push myself to put together a meal plan for this week even if the week is almost halfway over. The problem? I have no idea what to make. I guess instead of writers block, its more like cooking block. By posting my menu,  I hope to be inspired to follow through and meet my objective of not eating out or ending up frazzled at the end of the day because I did not plan ahead (something I am not very good at). On top of all this, we are in the process of trying to purchase a house. This December (or sooner) we will be moving to Georgia and my husband will be eligible to retire in two years, so we have decided buying a home is the best option for us right now. This decision has already began to make my hair fall out (not really). It is so stressful. We are pretty sure we have found the home we really want - the one I have been praying for, but for now its a waiting game to see if the bank will negotiate a little more. The home has been on the market since may, so we are hopeful. All I can do is put it in God's hands and if its the right place it will happen.

I hope everyones week goes exceptionally well. I know you are all enjoying the much needed "back to school" silence in your homes, not to mention the freedom to run errands at will.

To see more great menu plans, check out orgjunkie.com

• Hamburgers, corn on the cob, tomato salad
• Black Bean (Use the Crock-Pot Pinto Bean Recipe to make Black Beans and freeze them) and Cilantro Rice Burritos
• Ministrone Soup
• Cream of Asparagus soup and California Sushi Rolls (i know strange combo, but it works for us)
• Crock-pot Tortilla Soup
• Salad with Spaghetti with fresh basil tomato pasta sauce --pureed fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes (whole, diced, or crushed), fresh basil, garlic and salt: simmer for 30 min to 1 hour; undercook noodles by 1 - 2 minutes and finish cooking in the pasta sauce. Serve with fresh grated parmesan cheese)