Tuesday, December 29, 2009

New for 2010- Monthly Menus

I have determined that when cooking for my husband, our four children, my mother, and my pregnant self it is time to start planning ahead so that EVERYONE can help!!! I am making it my goal to A.) clean out the cabinets and start using what we've got. B.) reduce our food expenses. C.) have more well rounded meals.

Today I have been filling out the calendar for January, tonight I will go home a make dinner and then it will be time to scout the cupboards to find every last thing that I can that I need, and not buy it again!!!

I have been following several blogs which are recipe blogs. They are great. (Once I learn to link them I will edit this post to share.)

Wish me luck!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

New Baby Wish List

Ok so I know this seems a bit selfish, but I am at the point that its time for some new things for this new baby. Will I get all of these things, probably not, however they are wishes. Things that will make the new baby feel welcomed and what not. Nearly all of my girls have always used hand-me-down items and items purchased from the second hand stores... Which is definitely not a bad thing, but there are a few things that I would really like for this new baby, boy or girl.

The first, I saw on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. This was something that the family had in their original house, but they knew it was special. It is a crib. I absolutely fell in love with it. I've never had a new crib... I really adore this one. Below is a picture of the concept. I would definitely change up the dressing, but I LOVE this crib style.





The next item on my list is cloth diapers, I know right! How could I possibly have time to worry with cloth diapers when I have four other children? Well there are a lot of things that I really want to change in my life, as you can see by my 101 in 1001 listing. One of those things is to become my environmentally friendly, what better way than to start with cloth diapers.


The next two items I would like are for convenience. I think you would completely understand once you see them. :)




AND at minimum this:



Ideally I would LOVE to have a stroller big enough for all of my children, but at the same time the older ones are getting bigger and don't mind walking as much! :)


PopATot



This little contraption is just like the folding chairs that you would take to the bonfire or ballpark. It is nice because you can fold it up and store it away with minimal space. I also like that it is versitile and that you can use it indoors or out.

Next I really want 2 of these.

As I said all of these things are simply a wish list, how many I'll actually end up with is yet to be determined, but it could happen I suppose. :)

I intend to add more items as our little bambino grows. :)

Monday, December 21, 2009

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

In keeping with my 101 in 1001, I need to continually post new photos... Here are a few that we recently had taken of the girls.
Merry Christmas from the Nihiser's!

Ondrianna

Payge

Sera

Josalynne



Friday, December 18, 2009

101 in 1001

So recently after viewing some other blogs I stumbled across a concept that intriged me. It seems to be a process that could prove to be very beneficial. The concept is simple: create a list of 101 things that you want to complete in 1001 days. 1001 days equates to about 2.75 years so if I can't adequately complete these things in this amount of time, there is something seriously wrong! :)

Mission:
Complete 101 tasks in 1001 days.

Criteria:
Tasks must be specific and clearly end with a result.

Simple enough! So here we go...

Begin Date: December 18, 2009
End Date:   September 14, 2012

Updates will be made throughout the process so that identifiable progress can be noted.

For my health:
1.) Exercise regularly for my health but also for a healthy pregnancy.
2.) Each more fresh fruits and veggies
3.) Increase my daily water intake
4.) Cook healthy meals 5 evenings per week
5.) Upon delivering baby #5 loose weight to be no more than 118#'s

For my wallet:
6.) Rehash my obsession with coupons. Begin using them as much as possible.
7.) Increase my 401K contributions by 10% annually
8.) Increase the amount being deposited into each savings account
9.) Meet with my insurance agent regarding additional savings plans (IRA's etc.)
10.) Collect all spare change and place it in piggy banks for family vacation each summer
11.) Begin packing my lunch more to save money
12.) Pay off all debt and begin a new debt free lifestyle
13.) Start 529 plans for the kids

For my mind:
14.) Read one book per month each on varying topics
15.) Meditate three times weekly
16.) Begin learning French with my family
17.) Learn to change a flat tire
18.) Have a girls night once every other month
19.) Make a daily to do list and complete it
20.) Pray when I am stressed

For my soul:
21.) Read one chapter of Psalms 3 times per week
22.) Read one chapter of Proverbs 2 times per week
23.) Join a women's study group
24.) Lead a women's conference at church
25.) Complete daily devotionals
26.) Make a list of 100 things that make me happy
27.) Pray for my family
28.) Say thank you for 3 things daily

For our home:
29.) Find a new home!
30.) Purchase new appliances from the very little to the very big. :)
31.) For the new home: install Geo-thermal heating
32.) Plant a garden to supply us with plenty of veggies for the majority of the season
33.) Organize the childrens items and label in totes
34.) Spring clean- three times per year
35.) Create a to do list for daily chores and do it
36.) Clean carpets
37.) Organize basement
38.) Clean out cabinets
39.) Paint
40.) Landscape yard

For others:
41.) Throw a baby shower for Bailey
42.) Donate 3 tubs of clothing to those in need
43.) Send 10,000 grains of rice through http://www.freerice.com/ (1500/10,000)
44.) Say a prayer daily for those I know and those that I don't who need a prayer
45.) Pray for my blog friends
46.) Clean out old household items and donate
47.) Pay for the person behind me in the drive thru
48.) Send a soldier a care package
49.) Send 5 postcards or letters letting someone know I care.
50.) Write an apology letter and hand deliver it.

For my blog:
51.) Blog at least 3 times per week
52.) Find a new template to update my look
53.) Post more pictures
54.) Find 5 new blogs to follow

For my marriage:
55.) Institute date night 2X per month
56.) Leave a encouraging note for my husband once per week
57.) Perform Love Dare type activities into our daily life
58.) Visit my husband while he is away on military duty
59.) Let one thing that makes me angry go: once per week
60.) Daily hugs and kisses
61.) Celebrate our anniversary alone
62.) Take an overnight trip in a secluded place
63.) Make sausage and noodles once per month
64.) Rub his feet once per month
65.) Say "I love you" daily

For my children:
66.) Find a free monthly activity to take the kids to
67.) Read to my children nightly
68.) Take each child on an alone trip once per month
69.) Say "I love you" daily
70.) Create a memory book for each of my children
71.) Make an annual photo album for each child
72.) Go to the beach
73.) Pray for my children daily
74.) Convert to cloth diapers
75.) Attend Family camp
76.) Go to the Indianapolis Childrens Museum
77.) Go to story book forest
78.) Let my kids fly
79.) Take my kids to the pool 5 times in 2010
80.) Let my kids decide one activity they want to do and enroll them.
81.) Have family game night once per week
82.) Have family movie night once per week
83.) Let each child plan dinner once per month
84.) Create chore charts and stick to them!
85.) Pray with my children

For the environment:
86.)See # 74 its good for baby and the environment: also wipes
87.) Increase my use of reusable bags
88.) Start recycling cans
89.) Plant a tree
90.) Reduce the use of bottled water

For me:
91.) Purchase a "good" camera
92.) Take up photography
93.) Get a massage every other month
94.) Plan meal menus weekly so that I don't go crazy :)
95.) Purchase a new bed set. Something elegant that makes you feel warm.
96.) Have a 3-D ultrasound done of this baby
97.) Print my pictures and catalouge them
98.) Get a passport- so we can see the world!
99.) Watch a monthly movie with my best friend
100.) Organize my closets
101.)Create a new 101 list and start over.


So... Here we go!