Zoo (NO) bucks

Day Eight.

We went to the zoo (membership so it was $0) and I packed a picnic and some snacks in case the little ones got hungry (always!).  To my surprise--and delight--there was NO asking for extra food or souvenirs.  They did ask to go on the carousel, which I had to say no to since my membership does not cover that, but the girls took it well (the youngest, not as well but I gave him grace since he's barely three ;) ).  But what I really appreciated was that I realized how easy it is to go to something more special and yet skip even the small purchases.  I often times feel compelled or obligated to get them a little something when we go someplace fun--even if it's tiny.  But I stood firm and they barely noticed.  That is a savings that will come in handy for years to come.



Perfectly happy without zoo treats! (Looking at a komodo dragon)

Getting out of the house = nice.  Spending $0 = awesome.  Practically no complaining = priceless. 

I need a makeover!

Day Seven.

One week!! We've made it an entire week!

The kids are doing well.  Donnie's doing well.  I would've said I was doing well except I had an epiphany today.  --I keep thinking "After October and November....blah, blah, blah".  It was anything from explaining to the kids I'll buy bagels again soon to telling myself soon I'll be able to drive down to Denver and meet my family for  lunch or dinner.  But that is NOT the attitude I want to have. 

It's not that planning for special occasions or having some favorite foods in the house is a bad thing, but the attitude behind my thoughts is wrong.  It's one of wanting.  Wishing.  Craving.  Discontentment.  Ungratefulness.

Sigh. 

I've been so focused on the little ones doing well that I neglected to keep my own thoughts in check. How will I change my heart and viewpoints long-term if I'm unwilling to completely give myself over now to the concept and training?  And how can I help continue to guide my family if I'm not 100% living by example?

It's time for an attitude makeover.

Go Broncos!

Day Six. 

Another good day. We did a little bit of eating and a little bit of saving (see yesterday's post). Breakfast foods for breakfast AND dinner and sandwiches, cucumbers, and popcorn in front of the Broncos game for lunch--no one complains about repeated food during a football game. Go Broncos!!  ;)

I love the fact that the girls are responding so well to "We're having a grateful month, remember?".  Yes, they may start off a little frustrated by the foods put before them, but that one statement changes their attitudes. It warms my heart and gives me the strength and encouragement to keep going. I can only hope and pray it will continue. 

The $0 Question

Day Five.

Today was much better than yesterday.  The small ones (or big ones for that matter) didn't complain at all.  We did things a little differently today: breakfast like normal but at 11:30 everyone wanted to sample the fresh banana bread--effectively throwing off the rest of the meal schedules.  So we grilled zucchini from Donnie's garden, some potatoes I found in the pantry, hamburgers, and roasted some cauliflower (yummy!) around 3:30 and gave the kids some fruit and cereal before bed.  (PS if anyone has any suggestions for the leftover potatoes and squash I would appreciate the ideas/recipes!!)

I have run into a strange dilemma--every time I go to the pantry/freezer I stare into it and wonder should I use that now or save it?  But isn't saving it how we ended up with as much food as we have?  Or was it truly stocking up during sales? Are we going to end up living off of oatmeal, roasted green chilies, and black beans halfway through the month? Should I have some of the dreaded green beans and boiled pinto beans dinners now and save the frozen chicken for later?  It's hard to know.  I don't keep THAT in my pantry and freezer so--while we have plenty for now--I have always doubted it would last an entire month. 

So the $0 question--eat it or save it???

The teeniest of rebellion ripples

Day Four.

Is it starting?  I hear small murmurs and catch tiny glimpses of eye rolls.  Are the small ones starting to turn on me?  How long do I have?  Will we survive if they assemble?

Who would've thought that mac and cheese given to three small children would start the teeniest of rebellion ripples?! 

What WILL tomorrow bring???

What's in the definition? Everything

To truly understand what we're striving for, here are the definitions of our challenge:

• Consciousness: n. a state of being aware  
• Contentment: n. a state of happiness and satisfaction
• Gratefulness: n. acknowledgment of having received something good from another

So much meaning in those three words.  They sound so simple yet if I apply them to how I look at my possessions and needs vs wants, it puts so much perspective on things. 

Will this change me?  Can I open my eyes and live in a state of happiness--recognizing the good I have already been blessed with??  And, just as importantly, can I live with that view in such a way that it will be contagious to those around me???

And thus we begin

Day one.

I've been prepping the kids for a few days now, telling them we were going to have a "grateful month" with the food that is put before us.  The combos may be strange, it may not be what we prefer or even what tastes good to us, but it is food and it will give us the nutrients and strength we need to live.  --You know, normal mom propaganda.  ;)

Everything went well today; no pouting at all.  But, Donnie got his beloved pasta marinara for dinner (didn't have the heart to tell him there is only one box of pasta left) and the kids got their fav: wheat noodles tossed in parmesan and a smidge of butter.  The cereal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch are so common in the Crouch home no one gave it a second thought. 

I even made my first peach cobbler.  Yes.  Me.  From scratch....using my mother-in-laws canned peaches.* 

*A special shout out to my MIL for sharing her canned goods with us. 

**Another shout out to whoever accidentally unloaded the canned goods into the garage instead of the house during our last move--hiding them in there until just a few days ago (PERFECT timing to find them!). 

***Back to my MIL for another shout out for properly canning so after 1.5 years they are still perfectly preserved. 

****A final shout out to Fort Collins for having the weather to allow canned good to stay preserved even while they sit in a garage for TWO summers. (Sorry, Vegas, your winter's wouldn't even allow that!)

So a normal--even treatful--day.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.