2016.....a look back!

2016 was yet another year with many big life changes and exciting new adventures for the Shearer family.


Up first was the birth of our sweet Emmett James.  We welcomed him into our family at 9:37 p.m. on April 15th.  After a difficult pregnancy, and somewhat difficult birth we were thrilled to hold him safely in our arms. Unfortunately, Mark was coming down with a bug as I was in labor.  He made it through the delivery, but then headed home to get some rest.  Luckily my sister was able to come up to the hospital and stayed with me that first night.

 Last picture as a family of 4. 

First picture of a family of 5. 

 

 Our biggest baby at 7 lbs 15oz.

The next big change came in May when I packed up my classroom for good and headed home full time with 3 little ones. I definitely had mixed feelings about this.  On one hand I was so excited to be home with my kids, but it was also difficult to leave a job that I loved and some of the greatest people I know. ( I can now say after being home for 8 month that this is one of the BEST decisions we have made.)

This past summer is somewhat of a blur...as Mark and I refer to that time as 'survival mode'. We tried to get outside as much as possible.  Owen spent many of his mornings searching for bugs and Nora was perfectly happy to follow along by his side.

I would like to say the transition from 2 to 3 kids was completely smooth....but that was not the case for us.  Owen had the most difficult time adjusting to sharing Mom and Dad even more, but was thrilled to start school in the fall at the Homeschool Learning Center.  He took two classes every Wednesday and really enjoyed meeting new friends.  

First day at the Learning Center. 

Our next adventure took place in September when we loaded up the van with 3 kids 4 and under and took off for Colorado.   The trip started out a little scary driving through horrible storms, but after that it was (mostly) smooth sailing.  As smooth as they can be with a 4 yr old, toddler, and teething baby. ha!  So many amazing memories were made and the kids are still asking to go back to the mountains.  

The fall was busy with a quick girls weekend to Chicago to celebrate my Mom's 60th birthday, field trips to the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, and of course our weekly visits to the library.  

Tonight, (New Year's Eve) with the weather being so nice, we decided to take a long walk around our neighborhood that ended at the park so the kids could play for a bit.  Who would have thought a trip to the park on December 31st?  

Mark and I could not help but reflect.  Thinking back to last year....2 years ago....5 years.....and our first New Year's as a married couple 8 years ago.  So much has changed.  In many ways things have become more challenging, in some ways life is simpler, it's definitely more tiring, but we are so very thankful for all that God has blessed us with.  As we made our way home with Nora on Mark's shoulders, Owen skipping ahead and me with Daisy and Emmett, we both agreed there is no where else in the world we would rather be on this New Year's Eve. No where. :) 

Here is to an amazing 2017 and all that is in store!  

Blessings, 

-Katie-

Monthly Meal Planning and Grocery Shopping

There were several people who reached out to me asking questions about my monthly meal planning and once a month grocery shopping haul. So, I thought I would share what I have decided to do.  I am by no means an expert, but have been doing monthly meal planning for awhile now. (Although the once a month grocery shopping is new to me!)

First of all....Why??
     When I first told Mark of my plans, he said...."Why?  Won't that be more work for you?"  The short answer. Yes. But you guys....it saved me so much time and headache!  I don't think I will ever go back.  It is definitely more work and planning up front, but then you done and don't have to worry about it for four whole weeks!

Who hasn't felt this way at some point! 😉

How??

1.  I started with a blank calendar from word that looked like this:  

The first thing I did was fill in the dates that we had special things going on that would conflict with dinnertime. 

I then added my Wildtree Meals that I already have prepped and ready to go in the freezer. I give myself Friday and Saturday "off"  by making either pizza or breakfast one night and eating out or having leftovers the other night.  Then it was time to go to pinterest for some inspiration to finish out the month.   

2.  After my menu for the month was done I started filling in my monthy grocery list sheet, with estimated prices.  It looks like this:  

3.  I am not a fan of frozen or canned fruits/veggies.  I know they are inexpensive, but I just don't like them.  So, I decided a quick weekly grocery run for fresh produce and milk was no big deal.  (and it really wasn't.  I only ended up going 2 times, in addition to my monthly trip.)  To keep track of what I needed for my weekly groceries I used this document:   (it seems like a lot of steps, but it really just takes a minute to look in the fridge and jot down what produce is needed for your weekly meals)  

So...How did it go?? 

      Monthly Haul Budget:     $130                What I spent:    $113.01

      Weekly Shopping:           $80 ($20/wk)   What I spent:    $62. 53

                                             

       Total Budget:               $210.00              What I spent:  $175.54

Before our monthly haul we budgeted $240 a month for groceries.  We saved almost $65!!

Here is my menu for January:  

(With the holidays, we didn't get to all of our meals.  So, I was able to carry several over to January. Score!) 

Let me know if you have any questions :)  I love this sort of thing!  :)

~Katie~

Rocky Mountain Vacation

When Mark first mentioned a summer vacation, to be honest I cringed.  Images of the last family vacaction we took with a baby began flashing through my mind. We took a trip to South Dakota when Owen was about the same age as Emmett would be on this trip.  That trip was full of crying, explosive diapers, and projectile vomit.  There were moments that were "nice" I suppose you could say.  It was fun to take Owen swimming for the first time.  It was neat to see a part of the country I had never seen before.  But it ended there.  Needless to say, I took some convincing.

Once we started planning, I became a little more excited.  We were taking our family to a place that is so special to both of us.  The YMCA Camp of the Rockies.  Both of us grew up going there with our families and have so many wonderful memories.  The drive there went shockingly well.  We drove from Omaha to Greeley the first day and then got up the next morning to head into Estes Park.

 Inside the main lodge we took a break from our fun to have a snack. 

 At the top of Rocky Mountain Natinonal park.

 Owen was in absolute heaven to be in nature, exploring, and looking for "creatures".  He soaked it all up.  When he found out that the Y offered a bug class he was thrilled!  Nora went along with it because big brother Owen was so excited.  At the end of the class they got to go outside and turn over rocks looking for bugs! This boy loves his bugs.

Nora was happiest reading stories, swimming, and doing arts and crafts.  

These two are so sweet together.  (About 50% of the time. ha)

Overall we had an amazing trip.  I will mention that although the trip was not filled with explosive diapers and projectile vomit, there was a fair share of crying.  Poor Emmett was cutting his first two teeth during the trip and was literally up every hour, on the hour, THE.WHOLE.TRIP.  It's safe to say, Mark and I were exhausted, but wonderful memories were made and that's what matters! 

Stay-at-home, what?!?

It's funny how having kids can change your whole perspective. I don't mean alter a bit. I mean 180 degrees, opposite of what you ever imagined change. At least that has been my experience in the last five years.

If you would have told me five years ago when I was newly pregnant with Owen that eventually I would be quitting a job that I loved and was passionate about to stay home full time I would have said "You are crazy!" In my mind I was not cut out for 'that'.  Don't get me wrong, I thought it was awesome for those that chose that life, but was adamant that that was not for me.

Looking back to 2014...
After having Nora just 25 months after Owen, something in me started to change.  Dropping the kids off at daycare became harder.  There was a pull to spend as much time with them as I could, yet I knew the demands at school and that I owed my class of first graders the very best.  Owen and Nora were the first to be dropped off at daycare, and many days the last to get picked up.  By the time I got there to pick them up I was exhausted, short on patience, and ready for everyone to go to bed(myself included). At this time Mark also took a new position closer to home, but with less than ideal hours.  Now most nights he wasn't getting home until 7:30 or 8:00pm.  We began to question if all of this was the best scenario for our family?

In April of 2015 we did something crazy.  We put our 'dream' house on the market.  A house that we moved into just 2 years before.  We were scared.  Our family thought we were nuts.  We felt it was what God was calling us to do and we trusted Him.  My biggest fear.....the thought of asking our family to move us YET AGAIN!  (ha.)  It sold in a few days and a huge weight was lifted from our shoulders.  It was a great house.  A nice neighborhood.  Close to good schools.  But, we realized something.  It's a house.  It doesn't matter where we live.  Our kids will not look back and say "I wish I had a bigger bedroom or  nicer kitchen counters or my own bathroom."  We wanted to give our kids time and make memories with them.  That house did not afford us to do that.

This was the beginning of a lot of opportunities for our family.  By September of this past year (before I even knew that God had blessed us with another little peanut)  we had pretty much decided that I would take a year's leave of absence the following year.  After finding out that I was pregnant, we realized that this is what was intended for our family.


Now that I have been home full time with my littles for 4 months I could not have a more different attitude than 5 short years ago when I was pregnant with Owen.  There is no other place that I would rather be.  Some days are long...VERY long.  Some days goes smoothly and quickly.  Every day I look around and am thankful. Content. So very happy.

The Beginning of Life

     I recently watched a Netflix documentary called "The Beginning of Life" ( I love documentaries!)  This one really hit home with me though, and I thought I would share a few things that I took away from this film. (I also encourage all of you to check it out.)

TAKE AWAYS: 

#1  We made the right decision for me to take a leave of absence from teaching. (More on how this came about in my next post)

    

The first five years of a child's life are critical in their development.  The relationships they form and the experiences they have will play a huge part in their future, and ultimately who they will become as adults.  Having the opportunity to be with my kids daily during this critical stage of their life is such a blessing and one I am thankful for every day. 

#2 Our kids need us, not things. 

    This documentary was from many peoples perspectives.  All over the world. All different background, socio-economic statuses, religions, etc.  There is one thing that is constant among children.  They need their parents.  Not the latest high-tech toy.  Not a brand new bike.  Not a fancy house or a gourmet meal.  They need us. Love, affection, and time.  It's simple, yet easy to forget in a world filled with the latest and greatest new gadget.  

#3  It's okay for kids to be bored.  

      Not 2 days after I first watched this documentary,  (I watched it twice because I told Mark he needed to see it too) I was in the kitchen attempting to make dinner.  I say attempting because this is a monumnetal task each day.  Between Nora wanting to "help", Owen telling me how hungry he is and Emmett crying (his fussy time), I feel like I should win a prize by the time dinner is on the table.  Anyway, I was trying to make dinner and Nora, as usual was getting into the cupboards and pulling out pans.  Normally I would ask her to put them away.  I decided to see what she was going to do with them.  Owen became interested too.  Before I knew it, this was happening.....

Boredom brings creativity. 

#4 Investing in our kids is not just a "good thing" to do....it is our responsibility. 

     You are probably thinking...."DUH Katie!"  We all know when we become parents that our lives are forever changed.  We are now responsible for another human being.  A life that we hope and pray grows up to be kind and give back to others.  What a HUGE job.  Not one to be taken lightly.  Again, this is something that we all know, but this film was such a great reminder to me to take each day and experience with my kids for what it is.  Instead of getting frustrated, remember that the difficulties are opportunites for learning to take place in my kids, and for me too.  

I am going to leave you with my favorite quote from this documentary.  

"When you pay attention to the beginning of a story, you can change the whole story. "

-Raffi-

Love,

Katie

Doctors, Dentists, and Visitors....Oh My!

       A few weeks ago I joked with my mother-in-law that I am fully expecting a trip to the ER for a broken bone or stitches before the summer is over. We came close last week when Owen took a nasty fall and hit the side of the bathtub.  In the midst of a meltdown he slipped and landed face first on the side of the tub.  After hearing him hit, I was shocked to not see blood everywhere.  We had a follow up appointment with his doctor a couple of days later for an ear check anyway, so we had his mouth looked at then.  That was followed by a trip to the dentist.  Poor guy was swollen for a few days.  His biggest complaint was not being able to bite popsicles.  ha.  He did push his front teeth back a bit and chipped another tooth, but we are hoping that is all the damage done.  :)

     Last Friday was Mark's birthday.  We managed to escape for a fun (KID FREE)  dinner out Saturday night to celebrate.  We got dressed up and Mark picked me up at my Mom's house where I  had been to spend some time with my Grandpa who was in town. We joked that it was almost like we were back in high school again and he was picking me up for a date.  Funny how so much can change, yet some things stay the same too.

     Although we had a great night out, and loved time to just "catch up", we couldn't get over how quiet it was.  We were anxious to get back home to see the babes.  :)


    We have been lucky enough to have some special visitors at our house in the last week.  First Great-Grandpa Jim made a trip to Omaha.  Owen is always thrilled to hear he is coming to town.  He has Gramps wrapped around his finger.  We were outside enjoying the nice weather and I looked up to see Grandpa climbing the ladder to the play set.  (Yikes!! ) When I asked him what in the world he was doing he said,  "Owen told me I needed to go down the slide!"  I told him it IS okay to tell Owen no. Ha!

   This week we also had my Grandma Ella's brother and wife over for dinner.  Again, Owen was thrilled to have company, especially his Great Great Uncle Ray.  It was so nice to see them.  My favorite part of the visit was watching Owen listen to Ray talk.  You can tell he is soaking up every word.  My kids are so blessed to have so many special people in their life.

      Besides the many trips we have made to the doctor and our wonderful visitors, life has been relatively "normal".  We are settling into a routine and the kids and I are enjoying our morning outings and afternoons playing.