FFF- Feb. 8-14 Plan

Week one was great. Spent $35 in groceries compared to the $65 avg. I was spending!
This will be kinda an odd week because I'll need to do some extra cooking for Sunday for Perspectives and Super Bowl Party. So I'm shopping on Saturday this week:I think I'll take buffalo chicken dip and clementines to Perspectives and send White Chocolate Popcorn Snack with Andy to Super Bowl Party. Good news is, I don't need to buy any meat this week!

I loved both of these snack recipes and would recommend both of them. We had some leftover buffalo chicken dip so we topped a green salad with a couple tablespoons of it with some choppped carrots and celery! Awesome lunch!

I'm using 3 recipes this week from a blog I stumbled upon as I was looking for a snack for Perspectives. You Homebased Mom- Finding the pretty and delicious- I included the links. So I maybe splurged a bit this week with a couple extra items, but since 2 of the recipes are for "others" and not just serving us, I justified it :)

• Monday- Chicken Enchiladas with Leftover Chicken from last week with Mexican rice (although I'll do a modified version) These were also awesome! Using the leftover chicken made these recipes easy and delious! I will definately do the combo of the slow cooker chicken one night and these enchiladas the next! Yummo! The rice was modified, so can't give much of a review on that.
  
• Tuesday- Lasagna (I'll share recipe if it's good) with side salad and toasted bread sprinkled with garlic salt. It was Good, but not Amazing.
• Wednesday- leftovers from Kampmans- Chicken spagetti
• Thursday- Breakfast for supper - looks like we'll do breakfast for supper next week because tonight we had some more random leftovers again :)
• Friday- leftovers- clean out the fridge!
  
• Saturday- Ames (going to ISU game) and probably out for supper with them?
• Sunday-Valentine's day... we should do something special.. but for now...grilled cheese and tomato soup :) Hopefully we can have somewhat of an afternoon date? After church before Perspectives maybe?
  
• Lunches this week- Build my own random salad, Tuna sandwich, or Aldi fit-n-active sandwich (2 for 1.78) Love these!

Shopping List

Fareway-

Clementines- 4.88 5 lb box

Dole Salads- 2 for $3

Avocados- 4 pk

Braeburn Apples- 4 at .77 lb.

Tortillas- 8 chi chi's 1.50

Fastco PB- 1.28

Cottage Cheese- 2- 24 oz. .99

Bella Gardens Frozen Fruit- 1.88

green enchilada sauce

Aldi-

cream cheese x 4

2 limes

white chocolate chips

canned chix

ranch dressing

1- Cheddar cheese 1 Mexican Blend
Cheese

whole wheat bread. 1.69

FYI.

Price Comparisons of the Week.

Skim Milk. 1.99 Aldi, 2.69 Fareway, 2.74 Target, 2.69 Walmart

Popcorn. On sale at Fareway .99 for 3 bags. Aldi 1.49 for 6 bags.

Cottage Cheese. On sale at Fareway .99. Reg. price at Aldi 1.89

Muffin Mix- On sale at fareway. 2 for $4, Reg. price at Aldi 1.89

3 cups Shredded Cheese- On Sale at Fareway-2.99. Reg. price at Aldi 2.29

Salad Dressing- On Sale at Fareway-1.49 Reg. price at Aldi 1.19

Raisin Bran- Fareway 2.69. Hy-vee with coupon 1.99. Aldi 1.79

Generic Diapers 40 pk. Aldi 5.99, Target 6.50

Black beans- If on sale at Fareway same price. as Aldi .59

Other canned veggies- sale at Fareway .59. Aldi, .49

Chocolate Chips- Hyvee on sale 1.98.

So looks like if they sell it at Aldi, it's almost always cheaper! Sometimes just a .10 but other times almost a $1! I think that's pretty significant!

I'm going to take Kalona Trip- Going with a couple friends, Bridgete and Missy to the scratch and dent place for the first time, not sure what to expect, but I'm not going to spend more than $20. Hold me to it sisters!

PS- For those of you who think... "Dang, this lady has got way to much time on her hands, comparing prices, writing it all down... la da da...." One, what takes me an hour to organize this saves me $30 a week and that doesn't even count the $ it saves by not doing the "convenience" thing by saying "I'll just go out to eat!" I think I'll use one of Zanders nap times to save me $30-50 a week! Two, I enjoy a challenge! Three, if someone else can benefit from this as well, AWESOME... that's why I'm sharing!

FFF- Frugal Food Feburary :)

After hearing on the radio that this family paid off their $100,000 debt in 6 months, I was wondering if we could pay off Andy's PT debt. in 8 months. (28,000) After briefly thinking about it, probably not. Apart of me wants to make some radical changes to make it happen, but the other part of me doesn't want to become an obsessed, no fun, always worrying, crazy woman.
However, there is one thing that I've been feeling like I need to become a better steward with... FOOD. Most of you know how the Bishop's roll in this category! We be lov'n LOTSA food. So to think about cutting back in this area makes my eye brows crinkle! Those of you know me well, know I'm already getting my first wrinkle in this area!
I'm a planner, I usually plan out our meals on Sunday and make my grocery list for the week. I usually plan on one meal out a week (date night) and usually 2 nights of leftovers. (sometimes another if Kampmans give us theres!) So here's my goals this month...

1. Look at the grocery adds (Thanks Rachelle!)
   
2. Plan cheap meals (good bye bagged lettuce, unless on sale of course)
   
3. If we go out to eat for date night, we can only use gift cards that we have or that we can use our discover reward $ for.

So there's my plan... Will I stick to it? I hope so! That's part of the reason I'm writing it down!
I'm also going to use this as my planner and share if your interested in joining me on cutting your food bill. All you Iowa City folk, feel free to shop the deals along with me, or use the meals I plan. Maybe in the future we can work together you can shop the ads, plan the menu, and share it with me :)
after each day, I gave some comments in RED
Monday- Pork Roast Recipe- Hy-vee .99 lb. 3 day sale only through Sunday. So hurry! With bread and butter
ahhh, nothing special. I mean it was OK, but the Pork Roast was very fatty! Not impressed!
Tuesday- Leftovers Still have a lot of the pork leftover because we had lots of snacks at Dr. Wenzel's surprise birthday party. Andy had the pork but I ended up having a whole wheat tortilla with PB, honey, and banana after the party. Pork just didn't sound good.
Wednesday- Junior High Pizza Party-(Buying it for my 7 players) Which changes the budget a little. Bummer... oh well they deserve it. As long as they win on Monday and Tues!
Leftover Pizza from party.. add a side salad Guess what! The girls bought it for us :)
Thursday- Breakfast for supper! (pancakes and eggs) didn't have- leftovers again!
Friday- date night (gift card to.. Applebees)
Saturday- Kathy's Whole Chicken in slow-cooker Hy-vee .77 lb. Again only until Sunday.... add some veggies and rice (lostsa leftovers hopefully, freeze some for casseroles?) Awesome! I really liked this! I made it with steamed carrots and rice that I made with some of the marinade from the chicken. A little bit of a hassle with the whole chicken, but worth it for the cost and the leftovers! Will make again!
Sunday- grilled cheese and tomatoes soup- leftover Applebees :) for lunch and snacks at perspectives for supper!

Sunday- Hy-vee List
Whole Chicken
Pork Roast
5 for $1 Kiwi
Carrots 2 bags for 1.49
yogurt- 10 for $5 Yoplait
dishwand thing (here's a question for a comment... Do you use one of these, or are you old fashioned dish cloth, or ?) What's cleaner, seems nasty when I think about this? Anybody?

Farewary Monday morning
Cottage Cheese .88
broccoli .99
oranges- 4 for $1
potatoes- 5 lbs. $1.29
sweet potatoes
sugar
lemons (2)

There you have it! We'll see how well I stick to my list! I'll try to resist the snack mixes! Until next week... check out the good deals at fareway.... Mom; notice the wieners are only $.45! It's a sign!


Anybody know what pet milk is? weird!

Back in the blog world

Well after a month of not reading other peoples blogs and not updating ours, I think I'm ready to dive in again. So for today here's a random update of our last month! I know Christmas seems like so long ago!

Kriener Christmas

Got to St. Ansgar earlier than expected on the 23rd because of the projected snow storm that was supposed to be coming. It was a nice change of pace because so often we feel like we can't settle there because we are going to 4 different Christmas's in 2 days but it was so refreshing to sit and relax and have good quality time with my family for Zander's first Christmas! Our extended family was supposed to come on Christmas Eve, but with the projected storm we instead enjoyed a nice intimate meal with just us and instead of going to Christmas Eve service

we had our own house church as we read about Jesus birth, then finished the night watching The Nativity Story. This was so valuable and precious to me! The next morning was also a treat as we watched old home videos and attempted to start transfering them to DVD. (This will take a bit longer than originally expected!) But a good goal for the future! I love

Bishop Christmas

We celebrated the week after Christmas with Andy's side of the family. Even though it was a week later it still felt like our typical laid back Bishop Christmas that we have always loved and appreciated! Looks kinda like this... talk over 4 cups of coffee, stay in our PJ's until noon, eat breakfast, play games the rest of the day. (maybe watch a movie or do a p90x workout in there) But bottom line its always so relaxing!

Random January-

Andy and I started the year off by taking a little retreat as we spent some great time with God indivually and together seeking what He would have for 2010. It was reviving to the soul (Psalm 19:7) We are pursuing opportunites but take comfort in Proverbs 19:21- Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

On the 17th of this month we celebrated Andy's Birthday. Bishop style of course, ALL weekend! Started off on Friday going out in Cedar Rapids to the Piano Lounge listening to some live music with some great high school friends. Then on Saturday I surprised Andy by renting some snow shoes. A big bummer was I started to feel sick as I was running a fever. :( My parents and his both came to celebrate, and the next day I had a surprise party for him at the Pizza Ranch with some of our friends!

Hard to believe how fast January went!

Happy 1/2 year Birthday!

Happy 1/2 year Birthday Sweetie!

It's hard to imagine our life just 6 months ago without you!

You have brought so much joy into our lives in just such a short amount of time. Look at you in these pictures above! See what I'm talking about :)

You were worth every second of the wait during God's lesson on His timing! He ALWAYS knows what's best for us. Remember that always!

I've finally started to relate to what Grandma Kriener always used to say about me. That I'm the best, and that I'm so advanced. Well I'm starting to realize I think most moms say that about their precious children, but...You really are THE BEST ever and we are SO PROUD of you!

During the past 6 months we have watched you develop right before our eyes.
Two of my favorite times with you are when you first wake up, how cuddly and squinty eyed you are. And when daddy gets you really laughing! Your giggle is so priceless! Always remember to laugh; Not at people, but with them.
You love being outside, or sitting in the bumbo on the kitchen table watching daddy shovel snow outside.
You love observing the world around you. You are a learner. I pray you always have that quality.
You love cousin Dax's toys. (We send him picture texts of you playing with them, telling him how thankful we are for them!)
We just started rice ceral with you at 6 months, and I can tell you will love food too.
You have always been a great sleeper. God always knows what each of us needs.
You just got your first tooth.

You just started rolling over while I'm changing your diaper. This gets tricky, but it's funny as long as you don't have dirty bottom!
Your hair is blond and straight. Believe it or not, mine was too until I was about 5 years old.
Everyone says you look like me. This makes me happy. But you still have blue eyes like daddy, maybe that's why I think your eyes are one of my favorite qualities about you so far.
You love sports. Whether we are at a volleyball, or basketball game, or watching football on TV, you are in the zone!
You have LOTS of girls that love you already (none like your mama, or grandmas!) But while I am coaching or your daddy and I are on a date night, there's always a dear friend of mine taking care of you. Some of them are Chelsey Butler, Andrea Goodrich, Angie Swoope, Janessa Potratz, Katie Farely, Jamie Kampman, Vanessa Nelson, Kristen Allocco, Laurie Goodrich, or west high players. Wow you are a loved boy!
You also have lots of little friends. We try to let you see them a couple times a week! Some of the more frequent are Liam Baumhover, Anna, Josiah, and Abigail Kampman.
You have been making your Mah, Mah and Dah Dah sounds for awhile. Although now more sounds are coming out.
You sit up on your own like a big boy! You are getting a little bored on your back now so you prefer to sit up and play. Clancy and Bubba are your favorite handheld toys. Bubba is special because daddy picked him out for you at the hospital giftshop :) (He is in one of the pictures above)You used to not like being on your tummy very much, but since you haven't quite figured out how to roll back over to your back, you have learned to be content on your tum.
I love that you love your baths! You're almost ready to go to the big bathtub. The little blue guy isn't quite enough room for you to play anymore.
I also love the times when daddy is playing you music! You are so interested and I think God will bless you with talents like your daddy. Maybe you guys can be in a band someday. :) I'll be the backup singer, eek, maybe not, but I will be your biggest fan!


We love you Elliot Alexander!

xoxo

lovemom

EWOW- A different season; from the INSIDE and the OUTSIDE

From some of my past posts, I'm sure it was clear that I was wrestling with some stuff with God. I have been frustrated, confused, mad, etc! I'm writing very joyfully today sharing what God has shown me and given me peace, freedom, and joy in lately! YAY! I have complete confidence in He is who he says he is, and He will do what he says he will do! This post has the potential to be all over the place. But that's part of who I am anyway I guess :)

You're Blessed when you get your inside world (your mind and your heart) put right. Then you can see GOD in the outside world. Matthew 5:7-8 (the msg)

As we have been trying to figure out "our" plans for the future, God has been telling me it's NOT about me after my selfish prayers "What should I do, where should we go...etc" It is Always, always, always about Him. He will certainly direct us where we are to go, but I need to remember WHY... It's to know Him and Trust Him more! Well it seems like he continually hits me in the head with the phrase "KNOW ME" lately. No worrying about what the world, or other people are telling me, but finding rest in what intimacy with Christ is like in seeking to know him more deeply: specifically by studying His word and trusting in Him.
Our body, Grace Community, has been giving messages on "Abiding in Christ" This has been an amazing series, that God is constantly using in my life and is one of those 2x4's that's hitting me every Sunday. I also listened to another message in the car by Francis Chan that hit me again with knowing Him from -Matthew 7 (I paraphrased here) "Many will say..'Lord, did we not do these duties and religious practices..Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' That is pretty clear about his purpose for us. Knowing Him. Andy also wrote a song called Straight Forward (one of my favorites) that the jist of it, is "We wanna go forward with "plans" but we need to go straight forward WITH HIM!

Draw Close to God, and God will draw close to you. James 4:8

Another sweet thing....As most of you know, I played basketball at Iowa State. It was at the end of my freshman year that I understood what it meant to believe in Jesus. I have complete confidence that ISU is where God wanted me to go for this reason (an added bonus...that is also where He had plans for me to meet Andy!) I am so thankful for my years there! So guess what my initial reaction was to moving to IOWA CITY! The DARK SIDE! yeah, well fast forward 4 years, to just this past August. The pastor who married us in Ames has a daughter who is going to play bball on the Iowa women's team! We got to talking and then I got to praying and to make a long story somewhat short, I knew I had to be faithful with what God has put in front of me. So I'm now doing their team chapel! Cheering them on. Supporting them. Encouraging them. Trying to be a spiritual mentor. Who would have thought! and get this... I LOVE IT! I am in my zone! I feel like I'm doing what I'm wired to do to a group of girls that I can relate to from my experiences as a student-athlete. I will try to be faithful to "bring the kingdom" to carver-hawkeye arena, because HE IS bigger than the Cy-Hawk series.... I was reading the story of the 10 talents in Matthew 25:14-30 and remembered what my mom has always told me "You have been given a gift" Well this story came to me in a different light the last time I read it. I learned that God has given us different gifts, responsibilities, etc. What will we do with them? Hide them for ourselves, or will we use or invest them for God's purposes? I don't want to be like the servant in the story who hid his masters treasure. I want to use the gifts he gace me to invest in peoples lives who need it (Whereever and whoever that may be) and to love God through it. Plus Jesus says to "love our enemies" :) Funny how at one time I considered the hawks "the enemy" now I'm truly lov'n the girls I get to cheer on (spiritually and on the court) Please pray for them, they have had some unfortunate injuries and are playing with only 7 eligible players. Pray also, that Jesus would bring them to himself. (Here's part of the team poster that is hanging up in our computer room, I'm using it to plan out the chapel times by using the sayings under their name and matching it with God's Word.)

Another sweet thing :) Many of you know that we have felt like going overseas is something God has been calling us to do. I've been up and down with this. One reason, because of family. Our family with Zander, what would that look like? And also not feeling supported by our extended family. I never expected them to be, OH YAH, GO! DO IT! but I did want their blessing on it, saying although we don't want you go, we will still support you! Guess what! God has answered our prayers! I'm SO THANKFUL and JOYFUL about this! Praise God with me!
MORE sweet things.... We painted one of the walls in our apartment, love it! I also made a new time with Jesus nuk! Now that I'm in routine with 6am p90x(see previous post), feed Z, shower, God time) it feels good to have an area set up. Many reasons why I love this new spot....

1. I can keep the dining room table cleaner (at least it is clean at the moment :)


2. Zander can play next to me (until he starts crawling)


3. Beverage warmer (a must) Looks like this.... Drink.. attend to Z's needs.. come back, coffee still warm.. Oh how I love thee!


4. drawers to stash all my study goodies (colored-pencils, different versions of bible, journal, etc)
   
5. Sun-shine!

It's always so easy for me to journal about the hard times, the times when I "need" God or times when I feel distant. But I wanted to Praise him for the answers! Thanks for letting me share!

Pray about everything. Tell God your needs and DON'T FORGET to thank Him for His answers. Philippians 4:6

Lov'n God in the inside, and seeing him work on the outside,

lovelisa